Fresh from an exclusive viewing of
STAR WARS - REVENGE OF THE SITH, I have good news for all Kossacks and other patriotic Americans: the final episode is an uncomprimising political morality play -- a sharp rebuke of the dark-heartnedness that drives the Republican Right, religious extremists and George W. Bush.
I won't reveal any details of the movie, although it is a pre-quel and little of the plot is surprising. I will, however, encourage every Kossack to see it --whether you're a Star Wars fan or not-- because it is a clear swipe at the bogus portrait of good vs. evil proffered by the Republican Right propaganda machine.
In my opinion, the film is not great; it is better than RETURN OF THE JEDI and THE PHANTOM MENACE, but less surprising and gripping than the first STAR WARS movie and THE EMPRIE STRIKES BACK. The acting is fairly comic book, the special effects as sumptuous as you would expect and the fight scenes/light sabre duels terrific.
But every patriotic American, progressives in particular, will be gratified by the dialogue and its clear references to phony "peace" advocated by the villains (mere stability achieved by force of violence) versus true "Democracy" as advocated by the Jedis. The lustful quest for empire-building --obtained through fear-mongering, phony patriotism and groupthink-- is an unmistakable reference to the inherent evil of the neo-con scheme to invade and occupy Iraq.
There is also an unmistakable, infamous George W. Bush quote!!!
Make no mistake: this movie is politically subversive, in the most virtuous sense, and the dialogue was surely crafted to be a contemporary critique of PNAC-style imperial hubris... To the extent films like Star Wars form our universal popular mythology and frames of reference that further influence public opinion about important matters of morality, this final episode will challenge the widespread, dumbed-down mindset that allowed the Republican Siths to take over our democratic government. And it may be able to reach people (young people especially) in ways that intellectual argument cannot.
See this movie and then spread the word: DEMOCRATS ARE JEDIS, REPUBLICANS ARE SITHS!!!