You cannot miss the hype over Episode II of the Star Wars series, Revenge of the Sith. One of the first stories to surface addressed the possible political overtones of the movie. I couldn't believe it was possible. A conversation I had with two friends the night before the movie went something like this; I thought that there was no possible way that George Lucas would inject temporal politics into a movie that will be watched for decades to come. Besides, Lucas came up with the idea for this movie in the 1970's. My friend pointed out that the political preaching would come in the form of nuance, details filled in over the past few years. I regret that my friend was right.
The political rhetoric is both unmistakable and contained in individual lines from the movie. These are direct quotes from the movie, and may vary only slightly depending on my recollection.
Annakin: "If you're not with me, then you are my enemy."
Obi Wan: "Jedi do not believe in absolutes."
This exchange was custom made for the movie; the Jedi have a long, non-negotiable code that regulates their belief and conduct. Remember George Bush in the aftermath of 9/11? "If you're not with us, then you're against us." Apparently that's wrong. Do we need more gray and less clarity in the war on international terrorism?
Padme: "So this is the sound of liberty dying? To thunderous applause." I'd give this one the benefit of the doubt in another context. In this context, Lucas is telling us we're a bunch of rubes who are smiling as our liberty wanes.
Palpatine: "The attack has left me scarred, but my resolve is firm."
This is vintage George Bush language. He often refers to the events of 9/11 as "attacks," the effects of which left the country "scarred," but always maintains that his "resolve is firm."
Forget that the evil capitalist trade federation is led by two aliens named "Nute Gunray" and "Lott." The movie's political overtones take away from an otherwise excellent movie (easily the best of the newer three, perhaps as good as Return of the Jedi). I read enough about modern day politics; I don't need to get it a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.