Star Wars: The Force Awakens thrills fans, sets records

After months of secrecy and anticipation, Star Wars: The Force Awakensis thrilling fans and theatre owners alike.

The most anticipated film in the galaxy opened globally Thursday, setting international and pre-sale box-office records and delighting moviegoers who've had opening-night tickets in hand for months.

Star Wars superfans get married in lineup

9 years ago

Duration 1:26

Aussie couple tie the knot awaiting movie premiere in L.A.

Kelly Andrews, who wears her love of Star Warson her skin in the form of Yoda and R2-D2 tattoos, bought tickets in October for the first showing at Hollywood's classic TCL Chinese Theatre, where the original Star Warspremiered in 1977.

"It was outstanding," she said as she left the screening Thursday night clutching a shiny keepsake popcorn bin.

"I cried happy tears. I cried sad tears. It was beautiful."

Rave reviews

She was among thousands of devotees who praised the space saga's latest installment. The film has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans internationally.

• REVIEW |With The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams delivers a Star Wars greatest hits remix

All over the world, Star Warsenthusiasts toted lightsabers and wore character costumes to packed opening-night showings of The Force Awakens.They laughed and cheered and gasped together, illuminating their sabers in the theater during key scenes.

• PHOTOS |Star Wars fans flood to marathon premiere showing all 7 films in 17 hours

While domestic box-office returns won't be available until later Friday, the Walt Disney Co. said Thursday the film debuted with $14.1 million US(all figures in US)from its first screenings in 12 international markets. The largest was France, where the film earned $5.2 million. It set a one-day record in Norway and Sweden.

More than $100 million in tickets have been presold in North America. The movie ticket service Fandango said it has already sold more tickets for The Force Awakensthan any movie over its entire theatrical run.

• How the force of StarWars revolutionized movie merchandising

A nostalgic take

Not everyone in the opening-night audience was dazzled, though. Michael Danke of Los Angeles, who said his friend waited in line for 52 hours for their tickets, was disappointed.

I'm watching it five, six, seven more times.- TonyBrennan,

"I was kind of looking forward to a futuristic, bitchin' movie, but it was an old Star Warsmovie," he said. "They did it old style."

• CBC ARTS |She's never seen Star Wars and today she's tweeting all 17.5-hours' worth

• Justin Trudeau takes CHEO kids to private Star Wars screening

That nostalgia worked for Tony Brennan, who said he "can't get off of that high that I'm on" after seeing the film with the opening-night crowd in Hollywood.

"It's definitely worth all the hype," he said.

"I like how they bring back the old quotes and old scenery and old people... It passed all of our expectations. I'm watching it five, six, seven more times."

• Star Wars superfans get married in lineup