Many have maligned a certain dynamic character in Star Wars: Episode I and II (and, hopefully III). I write, of course, about Jar Jar Binks, the wacky Gungan from the proud city of Otah Gunga on the planet Naboo. Previous Star Wars fans turned their backs on George Lucas, the creator of the epic saga, because of the simple creation of a minor character. The hatred has grown more powerful than you can possibly imagine. Now, it has become chic to be an anti-Gungite.
Hatred is ignorance and must be stopped.
In the early 1800s, nobody understood Pablo Picasso. When he painted the Campbell's Soup Cans, everyone thought his creation was too bizarre… too hideous. They shunned him and stopped attending his exhibit openings until he went back to his earlier painting style. Picasso was ahead of his time and so is Lucas.
There are four overwhelming factors to sway anyone into the realm of Jar Jar aficionado:
1. PERSONALITY - Lucas took the underlying personality of one of the 20th century's greatest personalities, Bob Marley, as a tribute to peace and love. (As Eric Clapton put it, "Marley is a great leader of men." I am sure he would include Gungnas, if Clapton were still with us.) Marley is a unifier of races, cultures and peoples. He was unique, humble, sensitive and accessible. He had a strong spiritual and social message. Everyone loves Bob Marley. Don't you? Lucas took 5% of Marley and blended him with 95% of the priceless buffoonery of Carrot Top. A winning combination in any galaxy!
2. TECHNICAL BRILLIANCE - The sophistication of this computer-generated character blended with live action was the dream of Disney (Cooper Comedies), Fleischer (Out of the Sinkhole) and McCay (Gertie the Diplodocus). The creation of Jar Jar is as brilliant as The Pagemaster and Poppin' Fresh.
3. MEMORABLE VOICE - Every once in a while, a voice is so distinctive, it lilts to the top of the sound pile. Gilbert Gottfried achieved brilliance as Iago in Disney's "Aladdin." As did Fran Drescher in "The Nanny." Or, Gilbert Gottfried in Andrew Dice Clay's "Ford Farlaine." Jar Jar is among stellar company.
4. DANGEROUS SEXUAL ELEMENT - People tend to fear things that scare them. Seven-foot phalluses are among these fears. Jar Jar's uncircumcised face leads many to be hesitant, but Lucas knew what he was doing when he created him. (Scramble the letters in "Jar Jar Binks" and you get "Skin Barge," almost. I don't know what that means, but it sounds sexual.) The licensing of Jar Jar's image focuses on his tongue and the child's interaction with it. (Note the Mechanical PEZ Hander and Gummie-Tongued Jar Jar.) This is Lucas' exploration into a new movie genre: Porn for kids. This makes people nervous. He is simply ahead of his time.
Please reflect on what I have written here and, perhaps, start to reevaluate your disdain for one of the most loveable characters of our generation… and a long time ago.
--John Sprengelmeyer Co-Creator of Captain RibMan