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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Firebird" data-source="post: 9644690" data-attributes="member: 7015803">I think this is a really great post, but there are also some things I disagree with. Sorry, this post is mostly about the disagreements.I think the key difference is that Star Wars isn't about the Vietnam war. It references Vietnam; it has connections to Vietnam; but it's not just another take on the war. Vietnam is just one on a list of dozens of references and influences it has.The same goes with the prequels--it references contemporary events, it has a view of contemporary events, but it isn't about them. This is why people don't pick up on those aspects; they're present for those who are looking, but they're not banging you over the head with them.I don't think this is true for TLJ. I agree that criticism of her hair color is often in bad faith. I don't think it's necessarily so. Aesthetics matter. They're the visual language the director uses to make connections to real world topics. In this case, it's not subtle, and we know exactly what point Johnson is making. That's why he made that aesthetic choice. (In case you think this is in bad faith, I'll reiterate--I agree with Johnson's point!)Contrast Lucas: the Empire's colors are black and white, they deploy Stormtroopers, they enforce conformity in dress and action, they are almost entirely male. They aren't flying Hueys, they aren't dropping napalm, their policy is not one of containment. If Lucas wanted to comment on Vietnam more directly, he could have done so, and would have made different aesthetic choices. Instead the specific becomes universal.I mean, I think this is how it comes across, yeah? "This film loves you, unless you believe X, in which case it hates you." And the problem is the people making that criticism see it as a very clear line, and think its really obvious. But not everyone feels that way. It's a very black and white reading. And people who aren't fully on board with Johnson feel that, and wonder if the "yeah, this film hates you" applies to them.It would be nice if everyone who had that response secretly had odious views and therefore it was ok. Indeed, when I criticize TLJ, I sometimes feel people are scrutinizing my words for any proof I have odious views, and therefore my criticism can be rejected wholesale.I don't think that's the case.</blockquote>

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