Friday, June 1, 2012

I Am Jarticus

I am Jar Jar Binks.

No, I am not secretly Ahmed Best (though he is awesome). No, I'm not associated with Lucasfilm in any way other than being a longtime fan. But I stand by my statement.


People have said many things against Jar Jar. That he's annoying (kind of the point), that he's useless (only on the surface, again kind of the point), that he's not funny (to each their own; I disagree), even that he's racist (against what, salamanders?!).

Jar Jar Binks is, in reality, many things.

Jar Jar is the almost contradictory mix of laid-back and excitable. He's good-natured and well-meaning, but he's got a sense of pride about him. He's super-clumsy, almost as if he doesn't always have control of his limbs, but this saves him as much as it hurts him.

Because of these traits, he tends to irritate those around him, even those who willingly hang around him day after day. Despite this, if you need his help, you can always depend on him to do his best.

He wants to avoid danger, pain, and general bad feelings because he doesn't really dig it. This might strike some as cowardly, but unlike a true coward he would never throw his friends under the bus. He has a gullible streak, and that gets him into trouble, but he figures it's better to be overly trusting than completely cynical (though he's not devoid of skepticism by a long-shot).

These are all characteristics, good and bad, that I see in myself every day. That's one of the reasons I took to him at once since before the film even came out, though I didn't realize it until recently. But I'm not the only one. I also see these traits in many other people, even those who profess to hate his guts.

Well, I'm standing up. I embrace my inner Jar Jar and, because of that, the actual Jar Jar as well. If we all embrace him, perhaps the world will be just a little more fun.

I am Jar Jar Binks.

I am Jar Jar Binks

I AM Jar Jar Binks!

Meesa Jar Jar Binks.

And I am DAMN proud of it

5 comments:

  1. At the Star Wars Prequel Appreciation Society you mentioned that you had not seen the 1960 Spartacus film. I suggest that you see it as soon as possible for you might find some connections to Star Wars... the gladiator and battle scenes and even the romantic scene where Crassus (Laurence Olivier) woos Varinia (Jean Simmons) which reminds me of the scene in "Zorba the Hutts' Revenge" where Trioculus woos Leia. The Criterion Collection edition has lots of extra goodies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh believe me, one of these days I'll get around to it. I just don't usually have that much control over the television anymore.

      Delete
  2. I actually saw Ahmed Best in person at Farmer's Market in L.A. Unfortunately, I was too shy to say anything to him.

    ReplyDelete