I also think the “topical” messages people perceive in the film are the product of our times too, where any kind of political discussion has become even more toxic than it has been (possibly heightened by social media?), has made people more sensitive to things that can be perceived as pro-this or anti-that messaging.

I never felt real-world themes were new to the franchise. I mean come on, the prequels literally had the Trade Federation and other industries start a war to profit off it. The Trade Federation and other companies even had seats in the Senate.

And another thing I always think about was Lucas openly comparing the Emperor in the OT to Nixon, and then comparing Darth Vader and Sidious to Bush and Cheney.
Imagine how people’s reaction would be if Rian or Kennedy said something so blatant.

So if George got away with those comments, what has changed since then that would make then so controversial now? Do you think if George had made the Sequel Trilogy, and had compared Snoke to Trump, or the First Order to the Republican Party, that he would’ve gotten a pass? If George’s 7 and 8 had been basically the same as what we’ve gotten so far, do you think the criticisms would be different or the same?