ST What was your audience like?

Every seat was sold for the 9:30 am Friday showing I attended. It was a sausage fest, I was one of the few women there and the age range was mainly 25-34. Saw a guy I knew walking out as I was walking in, but like everyone attending the previous showing, he seemed lost in thought, so I didn't approach. It was a 3D showing, and I have to say for myself, I don't think on subsequent viewings I'm going to see it in 3D, too dark with the glasses on. It wasn't a raucous crowd at all, people laughed in the right places but subdued, like they were really paying attention. There were a couple of little kids that came in with a couple of guys, but they were completely silent. Most stayed for the credits.

 

They clapped, they cheered, and so did I.

 

I'm getting jealouser and jealouser.

 

A bunch of people at my first showing took pictures of the screen when the Star Wars logo showed up. Bunch of flashes going off. Idiots. After that, though, it was a great audience. Lots of applause and laughter at the funny moments (BB-8's "thumbs up" was a big winner). Dead silence at Han's death and pretty much up until the lightsaber confrontation. When Rey got the saber someone behind me yelled "Yeah! Kick his a--!" and everybody cheered. Scattered applause at the end when Luke appeared but not much excitement/applause as the movie ended. More of an "Uh, okay...." vibe.

 

Crowd on Opening Night was very quiet outside of laughs. Crowd on Sunday Night was much better. Were into it but still made sure you didn't miss anything. Got a great round of applause after the film ended.

One thing to keep in mind: Opening Night was barely half full at best. Meanwhile Sunday night I saw it at IMAX 3D and it was completely filled outside of the first two rows which I don't believe they sell the tickets to.

 

They all loved it.

 

I went to a 1:05pm showing on Sunday at the theater was about 3/4 full. We arrived at 12:25, waited in line for 15 minutes at concessions, and were still the second group to sit down in the theater.

Mostly laughs, and some ooh's and aah's, mostly for appearances of old characters and the Falcon. Not much verbal reaction to Han's death or Luke's appearance. About a third clapped at the end.

 

Here's why you go opening night: Applause on opening night is expected, applause on a Monday night five days after release is laughed at.

 

My audience was horrible. I found the biggest theater in my area for the first showing.

No costumes, no cheering, no excitement, it was really dull.

I saw all the prequels opening night and everyone was ecstatic, it was great!

I guess buying tickets online with assigned seating really hurt the experience, rather be fans that camped out for tickets like I did for Episode I.

It really hurt the experience, and no longer really feel like it's worth seeing on opening night besides avoiding spoilers.

The exciment was gone. I think next time I will wait till the crowds die down cause it ain't worth it without the party vibe.

 

On my first viewing, it was the midnight release and most of the audience were casual Star Wars fans. Clapping an cheering when the movie ended and laughers at every joke. It was great fun and an amazing atmosphere!

The second viewing, the audience were much quieter, less laughter and no clapping at the end. They were more casual movie goers.

 

There are countless videos on YouTube of opening night audience reactions, which means people with their phones out and on. Surely many of them rang. That's one reason why I didn't go on the night of the 17th.

 

I didn't go to any opening screenings, but my audience was still pretty good. They all laughed at the same parts (OT throwbacks). My younger brother was really freaked out at some of the more PG13 parts of the movie.

 

Hey I had a similar experience though people did actually get dressed up and seemed super excited to be there at the beginning .. until the film began when no one did or said or reacted to .. anything. It was weird.

Next time, i am going to find out where the hard core fans are going and tag along with them. I did this once when the SE of ANH came out and the atmosphere was amazing..

 

Morning showing on a Sunday, still packed nearly to capacity. There was quite a bit of laughter (it's a very funny movie)

- excitement when Han, Leia, and Luke first showed up.
-Some "ohhs" when Han dies, and when Finn got injured.
-Some noticeable groans when Rey first gets captured.
-Some "ewws" during both "Kylo interrogation scenes."
-The ending duel got a big response.
-Etc.

 

I went early Friday afternoon. Place was about 3/4 full, people seemed happy to be there, but quiet enough to respect others watching/listening. About half applauded for a few moments at the end.

 

What were they doing for Lincoln?

 

I was unashamedly the most active audience participant.


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I saw it in 3d IMAX at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. It's arguably the most famous movie theatre in the entire world, and there's even a Star Wars costume exhibit in the lobby. So I expected a number of superfans in the crowd.
The crowd laughed at all the humorous scenes ("Are you talking first?"/ The two Stormtroopers turning back after Kylo's saber tantrum) but I was the only one in the theatre who seemed to laugh at the Kessel Run joke and when Han says, "I got a bad feeling about this..." When Gonk first appeared, I leaped from my seat and yelled, "GONK!" And I only consider myself a moderate-level SW geek (Don't care one bit about the EU, don't watch the cartoons, don't even own any SW cosplay).

 

There were 5 other people in the theater (although two more came later and talked way in the back). It was very pleasant overall.

 

Maybe a bit late, but this is my first post on the board so I thought I'd start here. 31yrs old now, been a starwars fan and vintage toy collector since I was about 5 years old.
I saw this movie on opening night here in Tokyo, Japan in a 4DX 3D theater. The experience was incredible, The fans didn't make any noise during the film except at the end when everyone applauded. Honestly this is exactly how I prefer it. I wanted to enjoy the movie, take it all in and not miss a second of dialog or be distracted by anything. Don't get me wrong, people were absolutely into it. In the lobby there were people cosplaying, talking about the past films, taking pictures, drinking (drinking in public is totally fine here) etc, but when it came time to watch the movie people sat back, shut up and indulged in it.
I hear a lot of the theaters in the states were sold out more than a month in advance. I bought my tickets the day before the show. Also when you buy a ticket here you also reserve your exact seat. so no need to line up a day before the film lol.

 

They loved it and I loved it too. BB8 was awesome!

 

It appears Japanese are too embarrassed too laugh in the movie theaters. I was probably the loudest laugher and really had to restrain myself. However. I think I may have positively affected those around me as they quietly chuckled. After the movie ended I heard positive responses.

 

Haha whoa where do you live?! Every showing in the whole city was sold out except like midnight maybe. But the 7, 8, and 9 showings were all sold out weeks ahead.