We all knew it was going to happen. after endless publicity, the newest movie to the Star Wars saga, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" pulled in a record-breaking $57 million opening night. The US box office projection is from $200 to 220 million.
Thrilled fans blew up the Internet to buy tickets when they first went on sale, they watched trailers over and over again, and when the day came, movie-goers endured the cold and camped outside hours before the movie's opening. Enthusiasts brought out their lightsabers and threw on their costumes to celebrate the latest installment in this popular series.
"The Force Awakens," released three decades after the first film in 1977, "Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope," hit the theaters. The new movie sparks a sense of nostalgia by bringing back familiar faces and beloved original characters Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia, as well as introducing new characters to intrigue movie-goers about the direction director J.J Abrams is going to take the movie. Sure, Abrams played on the heartstrings of fans when teaser trailers were released. Pictures of Darth Vader's disfigured mask, Luke handing the lightsaber to Leia, were all small but powerful pieces of imagery to move fans to drown in their own tears of joy. When the first trailer was aired on October 19, rumors and news about the movie spread like wildfire, but many answers remained a secret. Abrams worked very hard on keeping the news of the development a secret.
However, Abrams says that "The Force Awakens" will work as a stand-alone movie. Although building off of past movies, and characters, Abrams said, "We wanted to tell a story that had its own self-contained beginning, middle,and end, but at the same time, like A New Hope, implied a history that preceded it and also hinted at a future to follow," he said. Audiences are encouraged to predict all sorts of ways that the story could unfold.
So what do the preview night polls tell us about the movie? "The Force Awakens" seems to be attracting a majority of older males with 53 percent of the male audience being over 25. 94 percent of the audience gave the movie glowing reviews, rating it as either excellent or very good. Not surprisingly, close to half of the audience report that they attended "The Force Awakens" because it is part of the movie franchise that they adore. Seventy-two percent of the audience also decided over a week ago that they were going to see the film.
Does the movie live up to the hype? You be the judge. J.J Abrams personally says, "I can't wait for people to see the movie. We've been baking this cake for a long time, and now it's time to serve it."
