Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer out today

The trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakenshit Apple iTunes Fridaymorning sending millions of fans into a frenzy. People werepoised around their devices in anticipation of the much-hyped first look at the seventh film in the franchise, and the initialreaction is overwhelmingly positive.

Trailer review: The Force Awakens

10 years ago

Duration 3:17

CBC's Eli Glasner buzzed on the coming attraction

• On mobile? Watch the trailer here

"There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?" asks an ominousvoice as the trailer begins. Then the camera pans over a sandy landscape, thatlooks like thedesert planetTatooine, and actor John Boyegapops into frame as a panicked-lookingstormtrooper.

"I'm excited," admits CBC film critic Eli Glasnermoments after viewing the 88-second tease.

"It looks like [director]J.J. Abrams has pulled off an impressive balancing act, by giving us the Star Wars retro-futuristic feel, while at the same time updating the franchise's style."

Special theatre engagement

Disney andLucasfilmare also releasing the trailerin a special engagement at 30 North American theatres to coincide with the American Thanksgiving holiday, and people are liningup outside to be among the first to see it on the big screen.

The teaserwill play ahead of every movie fromFriday morning until Sunday, but only two Canadian theatres are participating.

• The YongeandDundasCineplexin Toronto.
• TheRiverport Cineplexin Vancouver.

Earlier this month, Lucasfilmconfirmed that principal photography for the filmwas completed. The studio also revealed thatStar Wars Episode VII would be called The Force Awakens, triggering an outpouring of jokes online.

The latest instalment in the Star Wars sagais set 30 years afterEpisode VI: Return of the Jedi, and features originalStar Warsactors, includingMark Hamill as LukeSkywalker,Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa and Harrison Ford as Han Solo.

Earlier this year, 72-year-old Ford broke his ankle during filming, reportedly on the door of the Millennium Falcon spacecraft.

• PHOTOS|New Star Wars cast a mix of familiar, new faces
• REACTION | CBC readers weigh in on the new trailer

The Force Awakensis slated for wide release on Dec. 18, 2015.