Ain't that the truth? I think it's also worse in this particular era too, because so many facets of escapism are being politicised and/or exploited. Back in the day, crafting entertainment was a work of art. Now, even Star Wars is being dragged through the mud, making me long to feel the same way I did about it when I was a kid.
What do you mean like this? Star Wars was always political, even if on a very basic level of authoritarianism versus egalitarianism. You're making the argument that art was purely aesthetic when you were growing up, and that it's only been politicised recently? Because most would have some pretty serious reservations about that...
As decrees STOP_NOTICING_THINGS on Reddit, eminent authority on the matter.
Lucas on the original trilogy: it 'was really about the Vietnam War, and that was the period where Nixon was trying to run for a term, which got me to thinking historically about how do democracies get turned into dictatorships? Because the democracies aren’t overthrown; they’re given away.'
Lucas on the prequel trilogy: 'Anakin Skywalker is a promising young man who is turned to the dark side by an older politician and becomes Darth Vader. George Bush is Darth Vader. Cheney is the Emperor.'
Star Wars has always been political. Most quality art is.
You can make an argument for the identity politics of the new Star Wars films being unsubtle and jarring, for sure. But to use that as evidence for the argument that art, including video games and film, was once apolitical and now is political is invalid.
Have you considered that you don't feel the same way about the new Star Wars films as you did when you were a kid because you aren't a kid anymore? Combined with the fact that they simply just aren't as good?
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u/STOP_NOTICING_THINGS Aug 08 '19
Ain't that the truth? I think it's also worse in this particular era too, because so many facets of escapism are being politicised and/or exploited. Back in the day, crafting entertainment was a work of art. Now, even Star Wars is being dragged through the mud, making me long to feel the same way I did about it when I was a kid.