The Force Is Strong As Stamford Residents Flock To New 'Star Wars' Movie

STAMFORD, Conn. — The Force was strong Thursday evening in theaters in Fairfield County and across the country, as fans of all ages flocked to see the brand-spanking new, highly anticipated Star Wars film — "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

A boy holds a light saber as he and a buddy head in to see "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" on Thursday evening in Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Three friends wear their 'Star Wars' shirts to the movie.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

A family heads to the Stamford theater, with both boys wearing 'Star Wars' style jackets.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

A line of people wait to buy tickets for 'Star Wars' on Thursday evening in Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Skip Pearlman

12/18/2015 5:40 a.m.

Poll

Final Results Voting Closed

How do you think the new "Star Wars" movie will compare to previous films in the series?

I think it will be better than the originals
25%
It will be good, but not as good as the original trilogy
48%
It will be worse than the prequels
3%
I'm not going to see it
25%

Stamford's Bow Tie Majestic 6 debuted the film Thursday evening with at least five different showings. A steady stream of ticket buyers were heading toward the concession stand and theaters throughout the evening.

Some movie fans carried light sabers, some wore "Star Wars" T-shirts, and others were decked out in items of clothing from the previous movies.

They were all ready for a good time.

"We all love the 'Star Wars' movies," said Jon Richards, of Stamford, who was there to see the film with his two boys. "They've watched the older movies and loved them ... all the characters ... so we had to see this one. They've been waiting for this."

Early reviews of the new film — the seventh installment in the franchise — have been positive.

The seventh entry in the beloved sci-fi franchise has also broken records for ticket pre-sales, and is expected to pull in more than $200 million in its opening weekend, according to Variety .

Anticipation has been high for the film since it was first announced in 2012, with every new bit of information, casting announcement, rumor and trailer garnering widespread coverage in media around the world even as the storyline remained shrouded in secrecy.

Here are some theaters around Fairfield County that will be showing "The Force Awakens:"

Fairfield Cinemas, 40 Blackrock Turnpike, Fairfield
Showcase Bridgeport at Blackrock, 286 Canfield Ave., Bridgeport
Bowtie Cinemas Royale 6, 542 Westport Ave., Norwalk
Bow Tie Cinemas Marquis 16 & BTX, 100 Quarry Road, Trumbull
Bow Tie Cinemas Sono Regent 8, 66 N. Main St., Norwalk
Bow Tie Cinemas Wilton 4, 21 River Road, Wilton
Darien Playhouse, 1077 Boston Post Road, Darien
Bow Tie Cinemas Majestic 6, 118 Summer St., Stamford
Prospector Theater, 25 Prospect St., Ridgefield
AMC Loews Danbury 16, 61 Eagle Road, Danbury

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is directed by J.J. Abrams and stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver. It is rated PG-13.

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