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...

[McDonald]

Why would anyone want to defend Jar Jar Binks? Supposedly the name Jar Jar came from Lucas' son, and that just about sums it up. He's a character designed for kids. There's good reason he frequently comes top of the 'most annoying movie character' polls.

[Porkchopexpress]

When you think about it, he's really no less offensive than C3P0 in the original trilogy. All comedy slapstick and ridiculous voice, but the difference is the majority of us were children at the original trilogies release and embraced it all. I'll bet anyone who saw the prequel trilogy as a child, I'm talking twelve and under, will no doubt love it and look confused when you mention the hate for Jar Jar.

The truth is the Jar Jar backlash says more about the fans than it does about Lucas, Lucas made a kids film, it's his baby, he can do what he wants and it's been unfairly criticised by thirty something adults. Nobody had their childhood destroyed by the prequels, people ruined their own memories under a weight of expectation that was impossible to meet from the outset.

I personally still get get goosebumps when the doors open in the climax of 'The Phantom Menace' to reveal Darth Maul to Williams thunderous 'Duel of the Fates' and trigger one of the best cinematic fights of that decade, that for me balances out Jar Jar's slapstick and admittedly infantile warblings.

For me Jar Jar was simply a scapegoat of a bloated and over produced science fiction movie, with fleeting moments of brilliance. Has Ahmed Best ever worked again? Poor bastard, he's got five kids to feed!

Wait that's a different movie...

[Punchbowl]

and shiiit... he ain't even married.....

Jar Jar Binks just seemed out of place in a dull assed kids film about interplanetary politics.

He was shite, though. C3PO had charm and humility. Jar Jar was just a stupid twat. The sort of comedy side kick that gets by on stupidity will kill any film. Nothing worse than a character who's whole shtick in 'stupid'.

[JohnnyMac]

Time seems to have healed some Jar Jar shaped wounds here.
Let’s imagine that it’s next year, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus has just been released, and it’s a shockingly awful film. After I've wiped away the tears I’ll be looking for someone to blame, and top of that list will be any character that trips over their own tongue into space jockey poo!

[Lizhawkins]

Cheers for taking the time to respond, guys.

You all get a namecheck in Issue 185!