After 42 years, the Skywalker saga has finally come to an end. Tonight a lucky group of people got to attend the World Premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker which means that they shared the first reactions to the highly-anticipated ninth movie in the epic series – not just the one that launched in 2015 with The Force Awakens, but the franchise that began with Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. While its predecessor The Last Jedi sharply divided audiences, responses from guests at the premiere vacillated from effusive praise of the “stunning” and “satisfying” finale to more measured responses to its treatment of the Star Wars mythology and the film as a response to The Last Jedi. We’ve gathered a selection of the first responses so you can make up your own mind on the consensus…
At first many people seemed to be pretty happy with the ninth film in the Star Wars series.
#StarWars #TheRiseOfSkywalker…OH MY GOD! I am absolutely blown away! I’ve never been so satisfied by a film. This is the end of an era and a franchise that has defined my life and this did it justice in a way I didn’t imagine it could. You WILL cry…. pic.twitter.com/Jfx5bzdZOO
— Jenna Bûche de Noël (@JennaBusch) December 17, 2019
In fact, they really, really liked it.
When people talk about #StarWars , they talk about their childhoods. Their best memories. The people they loved and shared it with. #TheRiseOfSkywalker brings back all those feelings. And then some.
I absolutely loved it.
And now I feel … pic.twitter.com/5wkQh6v97G
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) December 17, 2019
Even if they weren’t one hundred percent sold on the newest addition, it seemed to reignite love for the franchise.
So, I’m not too surprised and at times I felt too much fan service was given, but #TheRiseofSkywalker is everything and nothing that you’re expecting.
So I guess what my immediate reaction is: God I love this franchise and I’ll miss the Skywalker saga.
— Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) December 17, 2019
But also some people just really, really liked it.
I’m emotional, overwhelmed, surprised, shocked & stunned. More than anything, I’m happy. Thanks for coming through one more time, Star Wars. #TheRiseOfSkywalker
— Mark Ellis (@markellislive) December 17, 2019
In fact for some in the audience it excited them to the point where they could only say…
YO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #TheRiseofSkywalker
— Dani Fernandez (@msdanifernandez) December 17, 2019
Or…
Wow! #TheRiseOfSkywalker
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 17, 2019
But most of the attendees heaped praise on the film.
Just stepped out of #TheRiseofSkywalker. It’s an immensely satisfying and MASSIVE end to the saga. It somehow addresses issues, problematic characters, and most unanswered questions from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi too. pic.twitter.com/TMKeXCXuUx
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) December 17, 2019
Still, a consensus emerged about the film being… well, a lot.
Just stepped out of #TheRiseofSkywalker. It’s an immensely satisfying and MASSIVE end to the saga. It somehow addresses issues, problematic characters, and most unanswered questions from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi too. pic.twitter.com/TMKeXCXuUx
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) December 17, 2019
Like… A LOT.
#TheRiseOfSkywalker is ummmmmm a lot! tons to love here, no shortage of crowd pleasing moments and twists and cameos, but also quite a bit to ?. some faves: jannah ?, d-0 ?, finn of course ?. and what a lovely send off for our general leia ???
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) December 17, 2019
Nerdist’s very own Dan Casey was a big fan.
All I can say is “wow.” #StarWars: #TheRiseOfSkywalker is many things: horrifying, hopeful, violent, lowkey horny, and full of the right kind of fan service.
But most of all, it’s a fitting ending for this incredible, 40+ year-long saga. pic.twitter.com/pd2GEwI7O3
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) December 17, 2019
And he wasn’t alone.
Epic. All of it. #TheRiseofSkywalker is a terrific finale that is just stuffed with so much of everything. Action, adventure — answers!! — humor, heart, love, and grit. I spent the entire second half with tears in my eyes – a wonderful way to end the Skywalker story pic.twitter.com/K2NhHSGWzM
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 17, 2019
But amongst all of that… this sounds ominous
Well Star Wars Fans,
Mr. Abrams has certainly given us plenty to talk about. I hope you’re ready ladies and gents #starwars #TheRiseofSkywalker
— ?Jacqueline? (@THATJacqueline) December 17, 2019
So does this…
RISE OF SKYWALKER could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) December 17, 2019
We’re sensing a theme here…
If you loved THE LAST JEDI, I have some bad news for you. If you didn’t, then you might be pretty stoked. ?♀️
— J❄️anna Robinson (@jowrotethis) December 17, 2019
And it’s making us sad…
I’ve seen #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker. It’s… a lot. There’s a lot I like and some I loved but overall my feelings are pretty mixed. It felt like an apology for The Last Jedi in some ways and a sequel to The Force Awakens in many, which I found frustrating. pic.twitter.com/6m8sOQWhTx
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) December 17, 2019
Though remember, some people really liked it.
#StarWarsRiseofSkywalker reaction: JJ Abrams nailed it. He was able to bring a cohesive arc to this trilogy that feels like a fitting end to the saga as a whole. I’m so emotionally drained. Star Wars fans will be very happy.
— Peter Sciretta (@PeterSciretta) December 17, 2019
And this does sound hopeful.
Also, I can confirm there is queer representation in #StarWars #TheRiseofSkywalker. It lasts maybe two seconds, and you may miss it entirely. Welp.
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) December 17, 2019
But that doesn’t mean some fans didn’t experience mixed feelings about Episode IX.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has everything you want and more.
Which I don’t necessarily think is a good thing.
I loved parts, I didn’t love others, and I’m leaving the theater very, very conflicted about it. pic.twitter.com/dOYAP6Ntbi
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 17, 2019
It seems that many were fighting a battle between their own dark side and light.
#RiseofSkywalker is rocky af at the start, but ultimately I had a pretty darn good time at the movies. It’s a whole lot of movie that ticks a lot of boxes. Maybe TOO many boxes. It ticked many of mine! It may tick some of yours! There will be many opinions! This is one of them!
— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) December 17, 2019
But for some it just didn’t hit the mark.
There is good in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. But there is more that is disappointing. There are a number of choices that just don’t track, fan service that doesn’t work, and ignored details that are missed. I’m bummed. #StarWarsRiseofSkywalker pic.twitter.com/Ztk0VzGc6H
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 17, 2019
You’ll be able to see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker when it hits on Dec 20th.
Header Image: Disney/Lucasfilm