It is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year and fans have remained cautiously optimistic about Episode VII - The Force Awakens after being disappointed by the string of prequels.

But from the reaction of the first people to see the new Star Wars blockbuster last night, it appears to live up to all expectations.

Although reviews are embargoed until December 16, some audience members were unable to resist sharing their thoughts on Twitter after they got their phones back from security.

Documentary director Brett Morgen, best known for Montage of Heck, about Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, wrote: 'Force Awakens might be the best blockbuster since the original.'

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Force to be reckoned with: Those lucky enough to see the premiere of the new Star Wars blockbuster cheered the appearances of familiar characters such as Han Solo and Chewbacca (pictured)

The audiences also cheered the appearance of new characters such as Rey and Finn (pictured above)

'Best blockbuster since the original': While reviews are embargoed until December 16, some viewers were unable to resist sharing their thoughts on Twitter, with the overwhelming majority giving positive reaction

He added: 'Force Awakens delivers on every level. Lucas and Spielberg in the house tonight. DO NOT READ ANY REVIEWS. Experience it fresh.'

Steven Weintraub said: 'Not going to say much till I see it again, but rest assured THE FORCE AWAKENS is the best STAR WARS since 1983... maybe 1980.'

Inside the TCL Chinese Theatre, the audience began cheering Monday from the moment the movie's first words appeared on screen and reacted excitedly to seeing the return of Han Solo and Chewbacca after a 32-year hiatus.

The audience also greeted newcomers, such as Captain Phasma and Rey, with vocal enthusiasm and loudly gasped at the film's various twists and turns.

After the showing, audiences spilled out into an after-party held inside a giant tent erected on Hollywood Boulevard, where they snapped photos with Stormtroopers, lined up to build their own droid toys and noshed on salmon and short ribs.

Glenn Whipp said: 'Quite simply: This is the STAR WARS movie you're looking for.'

Referring to the negative reaction to episodes I-III made between 1999 and 2005, Josh Lincoln Dickey said: ''This will begin to make things right' is the first line of spoken dialogue in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, and I suppose that is true.'

Rainn Wilson, star of The U.S. Office added: 'It was epic, awesome and perfect. The cast was stellar. JJ killed it!'

Rebecca Keegan, a film writer for the Los Angeles Times, wrote: 'Story, characters, design, humor -Star Wars fans, this is the movie you're looking for.'

She also reported that women were well represented in the film, which stars British actresses Daisy Ridley and Gwendoline Christie, as well as Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.

From the reaction of the first people to see the new Star Wars film, it appears to live up to all expectations

But the film didn't go down a storm with everyone, with Devin Faraci finding it merely 'ok'

Actors Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill arrive at the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Hollywood

Legends strike back! Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher celebrated another landmark moment in their careers at the premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Hollywood on Monday

Making history: In 1977 the three actors (pictured on Monday night) changed the world of film forever as they teamed up with George Lucas for what would be one of the most influential and lucrative cinema endeavors of all time and now they are back at it again to reunite for the first time on the big screen since 1983

Blast from the past: The trio pictured in 1977's Star Wars: A New Hope

She wrote: 'Among its many wonderful qualities, Star Wars: The Force Awakens passes the Bechdel test.'

She was referring to a gender-equality test which asks whether a work of fiction features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man.

The Hollywood Reporter executive editor Matthew Belloni wrote: 'Star Wars premiere just letting out now. A LOT of smiling faces.'

Patton Oswalt said The Force Awakens represented a return to what made him fall in love with 'Star Wars' in the first place.

Story, characters, design, humor – Star Wars fans, this is the movie you're looking for Rebecca Keegan, film writer for the Los Angeles Times

'It was a lot of fun,' the actor-comedian said after watching the film inside the TCL Chinese Theatre. 'I had the same feeling as when I would watch these films as a kid.'

Steven Zeitchik, an arts and entertainment writer for the Los Angeles Times, praised the retro feel of the film, writing: 'From comedy to costumes, fights to FX to overall feel, JJ Abrams has created a thoroughly old-fashioned movie.'

But it didn't go down a storm with everyone.

Devin Faraci tweeted: 'STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is ok. I know it's poetry, I know it rhymes, but does every line have to rhyme with the last poem?'

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill were reunited on the red carpet last night after the three actors changed the world of film forever in 1977 when they teamed up with George Lucas for what would be one of the most influential and lucrative cinema endeavors of all time.

And with Episode VII of the franchise hitting theatres, the trio are set to break even more records, with many experts predicting the film will shatter previous world box office numbers.

Ford, now 73, was only 35 when he first starred as Han Solo in the original trilogy that went on to have many further installments.

And now years later and tremendous success as a film star, the actor proudly brought his wife Calista Flockhart to the event.

Learning from the best: John Boyega, who plays Finn, appeared to be getting some lessons from veterans Carrie and Hamill at the event

Proud moment: The 23-year-old appeared to be taking in the full impact of the evening

Ford, who not only portrayed Han but also Indiana Jones in another hit franchise, was handsome in a dark suit and blue shirt while his wife, 51, wore an elegant black gown.

Carrie, who became an instant symbol of female strength as Princess Leia Organa (now a general in the new film), showed some leg in a blue gown.

The 59-year-old, who was only 21 when the first Star Wars hit theatres, was joined by her daughter Billie Catherine Lourd, 23, at the premiere.

But Luke Skywalker himself was on the red carpet. The 64-year-old traded in his lightsaber for a smart suit and scarf as he showed off some facial scruff.

Disney took over a half-mile section of Hollywood Boulevard for the premiere, where the film was screening at three theaters.

Some 5,000 invited guests would see the characters Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo reunite for the first time on the big screen since 1983's Return of the Jedi.

Meanwhile, Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey in the new film, and co-star Lupita Nyong'o, who portrays Maz Kanata, made a stunning arrival to the landmark event to celebrate the release of what is expected by analysts to be the biggest movie of all time.

The Force Awakens premiere had familiar elements for a Star Wars event: Stormtroopers marched and droids rolled down the red carpet.

The world's first screening of the seventh Star Wars film attracted a constellation of stars, including Spike Lee, Jon Favreau, Janelle Monae, Elizabeth Banks and Sofia Vergara.

Quite the stage: The premiere featured plenty of lights and atmosphere for the big event

The man himself: J.J. Abrams, who directs the film, which has been described as a landmark cinematic event

John Williams's soaring score played in a massive opaque tent that built on years of secrecy surrounding the film, which some expect to break box office records when it is released on Friday.

Before the film's human stars arrived, the droid BB-8 rolled by the cameras. The soccerball-esque droid has been a popular fixture in trailers for the seventh Star Wars film, and it was soon joined by series mainstays C-3PO and R2-D2.

Despite being in charge of The Force Awakens for the past three years, director J.J. Abrams seemed overwhelmed by the magnitude of the premiere.

'It's very surreal. I've never seen this kind of thing,' he told Starwars.com. 'It's insane. I feel enormously guilty for this community, this neighborhood.'

The carpet melded classic Star Wars figures with the new generation that will carry the weight of two more sequels, video games, comic books, toys and other merchandise.

Abrams and Lucas posed together for photos, and both men took time to chat with fans before heading into the premiere. Original trilogy cast members Hamill and Billy Dee Williams attended.

Director Steven Spielberg were among the Hollywood stars who attended what could be the largest Hollywood premiere ever.

Spielberg praised the Star Wars franchise, saying he knew when the first film was released that it would be an enduring hit.

'It was a slow burn, but I knew it would never go away,' Spielberg told Starwars.com.

A review embargo in place until 12.01am on Wednesday Pacific Standard Time (8.01am GMT).