TF Issue 184: Is it just me? Jar Jar Binks

[Lizhawkins]

On page 153 of TF issue 184, Jamie Russell asks:

"Is it just me... or does Jar Jar Binks deserve a bit more love?"



Here are a few excerpts:

Why does this clumsy-but-kindly Gungan from the planet Naboo stir the haters? True his Caribbean accent, straight off a Lilt advert circa 1986, was in totally tropical poor taste. But did Jar Jar really deserve to become the lightning rod for all The Phantom Menace’s racism? Why not Watto the money-grabbing, faux-Jewish merchant? Or the inscrutable, could-be-Japanese Neimoidians with their dastardly trade blockades?

Here’s the bottom line: Jar Jar Binks didn’t ruin Star Wars. I know that for a fact because I was there when Star Wars was ruined. It was 1983, when I first laid eyes on an Ewok. The Empire Strikes Back had been glorious, dark and adult. Hell, they even froze Han. But Return Of The Jedi went off the rails the moment Leia changed out of her slave outfit and headed to Endor. Damn those stunted, toy-store-friendly furballs. They shat all over my Star Wars love like a pack of rabid badgers who’d been force-fed warm milk and Lactulose for a fortnight.

Come back Jar Jar, you harmless fool and glorious VFX triumph. It wasn’t all your fault...

Agree? Disagree? Have your say below - a selection will be printed in the next issue...