Cheers for familiar, new ‘Star Wars’ characters at premiere

Security was tight, with a giant tent shrouding the red carpet. “Force Awakens” was shot on Kodak Film and will screen in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The reaction was strong to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at the film’s world premiere in Hollywood.

Q: Do you recall when you first met “Star Wars” director J.J. Abrams?

So the creator of this Star Wars edit is on our wavelength, having created a version of the Star Wars prequels that can be viewed in less than half the time.

Ever since the first Star Wars film began its journey in 1977 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, LA has had a special relationship with Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Many seemed to approve of the vision director J.J. Abrams delivered for the first new “Star Wars” film in a decade. “My favorite part was just seeing the camaraderie between the veteran and the new cast members”.

“I am a Star Wars fan so I feel like we’re paying homage to a film that I really respect, so I feel good”, said Boyega.

“It was a lot of fun”, Oswalt said. “I had the same feeling as when I would watch these films as a kid”.

“The Force Awakens” reunites the cast of the original trilogy for the first time since 1983’s “Return of the Jedi”, though it is expected to introduce a new crop of characters who can sustain the franchise for years to come. HP Inc. ran a video submission contest, inviting fans to record themselves recreating the sounds of a “Star Wars” music track; winners’ video will appear on HP’s video wall on the red carpet.

John Williams’ soaring score played as stars walked the red carpet and did interviews.

Among the Hollywood onlookers in attendance Monday night were Spike Lee, Matthew McConaughey, L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who painted his face in full costume as Yoda.

“Well, in the ’70s nobody knew what to anticipate”, said Ford.

Harrison Ford, who returns to his role of Han Solo, arrived at the premiere in a dark suit and said making a Star Wars movie now is a far cry from making one in the 1970s.

As a goodwill gesture, a number of fans who have already spent days waiting in line in front of the Chinese Theatre to see the film when it opens were also invited in to the premiere. “You could say it’s the themes, it’s the Force, it’s the lightsaber – there’s just something in this that touches people, and I don’t think you can summarize that”, 23-year-old Ridley, who plays a scavenger called Rey, told AFP.