Yahoo! Blames 'Subversive' 'Star Wars' Prequel Trilogy on 'Dangerously Simplistic Moral Absolutism' of Bush
In the previous decade, liberals loved making parallels between Bush administration policies and the power-seeking villains in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy.
With the 3D release of the first episode "The Phantom Menace," Yahoo! contributor Timothy Sexton took to his keyboard Friday to tell his readers, "[T]he original trilogy appealed directly to the simplistic moral perspective of an America above reproach and always on the side of right in global geopolitics, whereas the much more subversive prequel trilogy stands in defiant counterpoint to the much more dangerously simplistic moral absolutism of the Age of Bush":
The original trilogy holds a special place in the bosom of American moviegoers precisely because we view ourselves comfortably in place of the Rebels. Americans revel in their historical construct as rebellious underdogs constantly at war against an easily identified and unquestionably evil empire. Hence, the reason most Americans love the original trilogy has much to do with placement of ourselves in the role of the inheritors of the mantle of the Jedi.
The problem is that the post-9/11 world meant Americans also were forced to identify themselves with the Jedi in the prequel trilogy as well, and we don't like the face we see in the mirror. Let's face it, the Jedi don't exactly come off too swell in the prequel. This time around they are the guys in charge, and it is painful to watch them screw it up, especially when the way they hand over the keys to the Empire is so eerily familiar to a historical era defined by words like "signing statements" and "Patriot Act."
Just in case you didn't notice in your rush to castigate Jar-Jar Binks and complain about the wooden dialogue of the prequel, the peaceful Galactic Republic in place at the beginning of "The Phantom Menace" doesn't turn into the dark empire in place at the beginning of "A New Hope" due to an invasion by a foreign element. The Republic falls as a result of due democratic process, albeit due democratic process that is manipulated through lies and deception. Again, sound familiar?
Watching the "Stars Wars" prequel trilogy is like the most entertaining lesson in civics ever given -- specifically the way it reveals how even a republic peopled by representative leaders with the best of intentions can make decisions that result in disastrous policies, accompanied by devastation and the crumbling of great ideas. Yoda's observations about anger, hate, fear, and suffering are not said lightly; they may be the most prescient words spoken by a movie character in recent memory.
Not much less important is another quote associated with "The Phantom Menace," a quote that hasn't proved anywhere near as memorable as Yoda's but nonetheless plays a huge part in the events that will follow. Chances are you don't even remember these words of Darth Maul: "Fear is my ally." One can well imagine that slogan scrawled across the office walls of men like Scooter Libby and tattooed across the back of Dick Cheney.
What's the obvious flaw in this thinking? Two of the prequel stories were written before 9/11.
According to "The Secret History of Star Wars," George Lucas began writing the screenplays for "The Phantom Menace" and "Attack of the Clones" in 1994. He started writing "Revenge of the Sith" before "Attack of the Clones" was released in May 2002.
Conceivably most important, the transformation of pivotal character Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader had nothing to do with politics.
As the "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith" documentary "Within a Minute" revealed in 2005, Lucas in 2003 completely restructured the plot line so that Skywalker turned to the dark side almost exclusively to save Padmé's life. In the previous iteration, it was largely because he believed the Jedi were evil and plotting to take over the Republic.
As such, the Age of Bush turned this trilogy more into a love story than a dark political thriller.
On the other hand, if Sexton wanted to be honest, he could have told readers that "Revenge of the Sith" marvelously presaged the rise of Barack Obama.
As Padmé says as Palpatine announces he's basically made himself Emperor, "So This Is How Liberty Dies...With Thunderous Applause."
- Noel Sheppard's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
Just more projectionism
Submitted by jon_torlin on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 10:55am.
This was just more projectionism on the part of the liberals of themselves and their twisted view of Star Wars proves that.
Lucas may have written up Revenge of the Sith by 2002 but he had outlines long before Bush was a known commodity of American politics, but the libs will never acknowledge that.
It's just one more example of how screwed up in the heads libs are.
-Jon
I don't get the photo
Submitted by iFight on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 11:00am.
Why would Dick Cheney, er, Darth Vader have Mr Bush in cuffs?
While the plot of the
Submitted by JSchuler on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 11:04am.
While the plot of the prequels were pretty much set, the dialog in Revenge of the Sith was influenced by Lucas's leftism and disdain for Bush. That's why we had Anakin telling Kenobi "If you're not with me, you're my enemy," followed by the nonsensical rejoinder "Only a Sith talks in absolutes."
Sexton is correct in that regard. However, he's pretending that this is some hidden message when it was pretty much widely noticed (and mocked) in the conservative blogosphere at the time.
If he wants to claim the horrible Star Wars prequels as leftist tracts, let him. They were terrible and self-refuting anyway.
I know. That whole
Submitted by Darks Shadow Show on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 4:32pm.
I know. That whole conversation was nonsense.
Anakin: If you're not with me, you're my enemy.
Obi-Wan: Only a Sith deals in absolutes.
A: Uh, Master Kenobi, what you just said was an absolute. You said 'Only a Sith.'
O: Oh, dear. I've become a Sith! Let's jump into the lava together and save the galaxy from our evil!
A: Oh, you can if you want, but I've got my new Empire to help run.
O: Your new Empire?
A: Don't make me kill you!
O: That was quite the non-sequitur, Ani.
A: My goodness! You're right! And don't call me 'Ani!'
O: Oh, sorry.
A: Since we're both incredibly stupid, and stupidity is worse than being evil, I've decided to jump in with you! C'mon, Master Kenobi! Let's save the galaxy!
[Exeunt into lava.]
20+ years later... TATOOINE. Luke Skywalker is sitting outside his uncle and aunt's home in the evening.
Luke: My life in unbelievably boring. I wish something interesting would happen. [Looks expectantly around the desert.] Sigh.
THE END
The endless parade of
Submitted by rbosque on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 11:05am.
The endless parade of liberals who cast Republicans as "evil" is getting tiresome. The left needs to come to terms with reality and actually DEBATE issues rather than resort to childish name-calling. But of course we all know why they fear debate, for the simple reason their arguments easily fall apart in the light of facts.
But they feel this is how they'll stay in power, running on their dismal record is not getting them re-elected in a sane world.
I read the article...
Submitted by mawendt on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 11:11am.
I read the article, and for the first time in years I thought:
"Huh?"
I'm a pretty smart guy, and if I didn't get it...
Librals seem stuck in fantasy worlds, don't they...
Submitted by teg on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 11:34am.
Mr. Sehpard,
I know the temptation to engage them on their level. I think the fact that the left are trying to square the world with the fantasy land they live in belies that they are ALL delusional!
I have said this to my children about how to understand why librels think the way they do; the left have lost their ability to separate fact from fantasy so now Hollywood forms their opinions for them.
Librels are the classic schizophrenic and we need to recognize that and approach dealing with them in that manor. They need help! They need to be institutionalized and cared for with massive doses of Thorazine. Once we conservatives get our priorities straight and start helping these people out we will be better off. Trying to reason with delusional people means we are delusional!
What's the saying, "don't argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and beat you experience? "
I tried to "get it," I really did.
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 11:50am.
<head explodes>
I was waiting for this!
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 1:02pm.
The libs like to play the Star Wars Darth theme whenever Cheney is shown, or mentioned, like on SNL-ha ha, real funny crap, kids!
How do people get this?
Submitted by Russian55 on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 1:33pm.
The original "Star Wars" films (and some of the stories for the prequel) were developed before REAGAN was President. How could they be a commentary on something that hadn't even happened?
---
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who kept their swords in the first place!
Additionally, Russian55
Submitted by Timothy H on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 2:03pm.
The entire saga was written as seven stories (one didn't get made and is the reason there feels like there's a gap between Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi) before Reagan was president. They started with episode four because they didn't have the technical means to make the first part of the series believable so Lucas moved on to the second part.
So you're point is even more outstanding. So funny.....
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. -Albert Einstein
And for blonde:Some days it just doesn't pay to chew through the restraint. -Timothy H
I never saw the Bush <--> Empire connection
Submitted by neutron on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 1:42pm.
I always saw it as Lucas replaying Hitler's engineered take-down of the German Republic, and manipulating it to be made the head of the government, and then dissolving the Republic, leaving Adolph as Der Fuehrer.
Thanks for being fair
Submitted by greenfairie on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 2:17pm.
As a conservative who loves all of the Star Wars films, thanks for being fair, Noel. I read this piece yesterday and thought that the author's "facts" didn't back up the assertions he was making and he reduces all of the Star Wars films into whatever fit into his ideological box. It's just as easy for conservatives to see what's happening today and take note of Obama seizing more executive power, circumventing democratic processes, and giving favors to business allies (Trade Federation = crony capitalism). A recent "Star Wars" novel "Darth Plagueis" stars a George Soros-like Sith Lord who ultimately trains Palpatine/Darth Sidious with the goal of putting him in charge of the galaxy.
That said, the Star Wars films are not political treatises at their core but a family's story that begins with Anakin meeting Padmé in some dusty shop on Tatooine and ends with Darth Vader sacrificing his life to destroy the Sith and save the child he had with Padmé, redeeming himself and saving the galaxy.
whoooa
Submitted by Mark81150 on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 2:59pm.
The commenters on Yahoo are being brutal,... alot aren't even political, just ripping him for
1. Being a dolt
2. Making a mountain out of a molehill
3. Blaming Bush,.. for Star Wars?
4. Being a dolt.
They ain't happy,.. a beautiful thing, when movie fans rip a critic for being a fool...
I love that picture. Bush as
Submitted by Darks Shadow Show on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 4:53pm.
I love that picture. Bush as Luke Skywalker. XD
Padme's comment
Submitted by panzerakc on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 10:39pm.
"So this is how liberty dies . . .with thunderous applause" made the hair stand up on the back of my neck the first time I heard it, and still does.
Sexton curiously omitted the most obvious 'Star Wars' analogy...
Submitted by Sasquatch on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 12:00am.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2702434/posts