'Star Wars: The Last Jedi': Raves dominate in first Twitter reactions

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' premieres in LA At the 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' premiere in Los Angeles, Mark Hamill was thankful for his 'Jedi pension plan' and Daisy Ridley prepared with wine and guacamole. (Dec. 10)

Writer-director Rian Johnson publicly unveiled Star Wars: The Last Jedi Saturday night at the gala world premiere at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium.

So how did the wildly anticipated latest saga in the franchise go down once the applause stopped and the theater lights came up?

There is an official review embargo until December 12 at 12 pm EST before The Last Jedi opens Dec. 15. But journalists and critics weighed in with initial thoughts on Twitter.

Logan director James Mangold enjoyed his friend Johnson's work, sayiing, "Yes, a great chapter of a blockbuster franchise, spectacular and unpredictable, but also his own voice shining through... kudos!"

Catch up on the 'Star Wars' saga ahead of 'The Last Jedi' Before you head out to see the new movie, here's a recap of where the saga left off with 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.'

Massive congrats to my friend @rianjohnson for the dazzling writing and directing work he shared tonight! Yes, a great chapter of a blockbuster franchise, spectacular and unpredictable, but also his own voice shining through... kudos! — Mangold (@mang0ld) December 10, 2017

Erik Davis, managing editor of the ticket sale website Fandango.com led the raves for fellow journalists.

#TheLastJedi is absolutely fantastic - gripping, touching, funny and powerful w/ gorgeous shots and the most badass battles. When it gets going, holy crap does it get going. Hands down the best #StarWars movie since Empire pic.twitter.com/nWWAhlNMJo — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) December 10, 2017

Cannot overestimate just how gorgeous this film is. I salute you @rianjohnson - some of these shots are all-timers and then some — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) December 10, 2017

I can’t believe The Last Jedi exists. @rianjohnson is a madman and I love him for it. He takes Star Wars to the edge and throws it over. What a crazy, awesome movie. We’ll be talking about this one for a long, long time. — Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 10, 2017

There aren’t enough words to express how much I LOVED #StarWars #TheLastJedi! It is mind-blowing! I’m in geek heaven! pic.twitter.com/unXfYMkIle — Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) December 10, 2017

The Hollywood Reporter's Aaron Couch was one of the many journalists to focus on the return of Mark Hamill's return as Luke Skywalker.

#TheLastJedi is incredibly satisfying and hands down Mark Hamill's best performance as Luke Skywalker — Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) December 10, 2017

Impressed with #StarWars: #TheLastJedi. It makes some big, impressive and surprising moves that I definitely didn't expect. Not all of the plot stuff is exactly perfect, but the character work is once again fantastic, and it's just amazing to see Luke Skywalker back in action. — Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 10, 2017

I have a one-word review of #TheLastJedi that I believe I’m allowed to share: LUUUUUUUUKE. — Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) December 10, 2017

Entertainment Weekly's Anthony Breznican paid tribute to Carrie Fisher, who gave her last performance as General Leia. Fisher died in Dec. 2016 after filming her Last Jedi role.

You may not always feel how you want to feel, but the feelings will be genuine and deep, and I am grateful for them. Especially when it comes to @carrieffisher. #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/gw2ntT3ATp — Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) December 10, 2017

USA TODAY's Carly Mallenbaum also chimed in, saying she's still processing the "insane action sequences" from the film.