- Apr 14, 2018
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Okay, I know the title is sort of clickbait, but I feel like this is a rather humorous subject that needs to be addressed.
I happen to be a fan of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. (Please don't crucify me.) I feel the prequels were given a bad rap, largely by older fans and hipsters who feel that it strayed too far from the original feel of Star Wars. I'm not going to go into that, because I think all of Lucas's Star Wars movies are good and everyone has the right to have a favorite.
But one pervading thing sticks out among the dislike for the prequels, and that is Kermit the Frog... I mean, Jar-Jar Binks. People hate Jar-Jar. They say he's obnoxious, stupid, and adds nothing to the story.
But I say that Jar-Jar is a good character. Why? Because he was meant to be obnoxious and stupid.
As an aspiring author, I dislike when people tell an original content creator "that shouldn't be in there", because if you're making your own fantasy or sci-fi story, you have the right to make it however you like. Sure, Jar-Jar may be obnoxious and rather two-dimensional in his personality. But he was designed to be the obnoxious comic relief, and (to my great sadness) comic relief characters rarely have much actual depth in movies. While I'm already angering everyone, let's just list off most comical Disney sidekicks under this category. Most of them, like Jar-Jar, have very little beyond their comedy routine, and usually remain awkwardly silent or altogether absent during sadder or darker scenes. And yes, I'm comparing Pumbaa and Timon to Jar-Jar Binks. Rage. Rage with the fury of a thousand suns! Ha ha ha ha ha!
But seriously, the only time a character is actually bad is when they don't fulfill the artist's intended purpose. Pumbaa and Timon aren't meant to be deep and emotionally conflicted. They're meant to be lighthearted and upbeat. So while I wish Disney would more accurately portray their sidekicks, I cannot launch an actual complaint against their characters. They may be a bit two-dimensional, but that's what Disney was going for. And so long as the character fulfills their role, they aren't a bad character.
Equally, Jar-Jar is no worse a character than Pumbaa or Timon. Is he obnoxious? Yes. Is he a moron? Absolutely. Does he add anything beyond comic relief and goofy hijinks? Not really. But he was as Lucas designed him to be. And sadly, some people in real life are similar; obnoxious and rather shallow. So it's not a stretch to believe that there could really be a moron Frogger making Jedi Knights wish they could turn to the dark side.
And yes, I know some people thought the accent was stupid. But let's face it, it's not too far off from an Italian accent, and only a jerk would insult an actual person's accent.
Also, people think Jar-Jar just makes things seem weird and goofy. But they forget that (A.) This is George Lucas's world, not theirs, and he can make it weird and goofy if he wants, and (B.) this is the same guy who had Imperial stormtroopers getting their rumps handed to them by tribal teddy bears and who designed the Jabba's Palace scene with that creepy frog singer with the long lips.
I still have nightmares....
So feel free to dislike Jar-Jar. He's meant to annoy you, after all. But that doesn't make him a poorly-made character. If anything, the hate Jar-Jar gets proves that he's doing his job, and doing it very well.
Also, if you are a Star Wars nerd and wish to rage or "ActuallySquad" me in the comments, feel free. All your salt will keep me from getting a sodium deficiency.
I happen to be a fan of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. (Please don't crucify me.) I feel the prequels were given a bad rap, largely by older fans and hipsters who feel that it strayed too far from the original feel of Star Wars. I'm not going to go into that, because I think all of Lucas's Star Wars movies are good and everyone has the right to have a favorite.
But one pervading thing sticks out among the dislike for the prequels, and that is Kermit the Frog... I mean, Jar-Jar Binks. People hate Jar-Jar. They say he's obnoxious, stupid, and adds nothing to the story.
But I say that Jar-Jar is a good character. Why? Because he was meant to be obnoxious and stupid.
As an aspiring author, I dislike when people tell an original content creator "that shouldn't be in there", because if you're making your own fantasy or sci-fi story, you have the right to make it however you like. Sure, Jar-Jar may be obnoxious and rather two-dimensional in his personality. But he was designed to be the obnoxious comic relief, and (to my great sadness) comic relief characters rarely have much actual depth in movies. While I'm already angering everyone, let's just list off most comical Disney sidekicks under this category. Most of them, like Jar-Jar, have very little beyond their comedy routine, and usually remain awkwardly silent or altogether absent during sadder or darker scenes. And yes, I'm comparing Pumbaa and Timon to Jar-Jar Binks. Rage. Rage with the fury of a thousand suns! Ha ha ha ha ha!
But seriously, the only time a character is actually bad is when they don't fulfill the artist's intended purpose. Pumbaa and Timon aren't meant to be deep and emotionally conflicted. They're meant to be lighthearted and upbeat. So while I wish Disney would more accurately portray their sidekicks, I cannot launch an actual complaint against their characters. They may be a bit two-dimensional, but that's what Disney was going for. And so long as the character fulfills their role, they aren't a bad character.
Equally, Jar-Jar is no worse a character than Pumbaa or Timon. Is he obnoxious? Yes. Is he a moron? Absolutely. Does he add anything beyond comic relief and goofy hijinks? Not really. But he was as Lucas designed him to be. And sadly, some people in real life are similar; obnoxious and rather shallow. So it's not a stretch to believe that there could really be a moron Frogger making Jedi Knights wish they could turn to the dark side.
And yes, I know some people thought the accent was stupid. But let's face it, it's not too far off from an Italian accent, and only a jerk would insult an actual person's accent.
Also, people think Jar-Jar just makes things seem weird and goofy. But they forget that (A.) This is George Lucas's world, not theirs, and he can make it weird and goofy if he wants, and (B.) this is the same guy who had Imperial stormtroopers getting their rumps handed to them by tribal teddy bears and who designed the Jabba's Palace scene with that creepy frog singer with the long lips.
I still have nightmares....So feel free to dislike Jar-Jar. He's meant to annoy you, after all. But that doesn't make him a poorly-made character. If anything, the hate Jar-Jar gets proves that he's doing his job, and doing it very well.
Also, if you are a Star Wars nerd and wish to rage or "ActuallySquad" me in the comments, feel free. All your salt will keep me from getting a sodium deficiency.
It would make him more realistic and perhaps more relatable, but it would also change the feel of the movie entirely. I guess I just don't like the concept of side characters as a whole. In real life, everyone is the main character of their own story. (And yes, I know Pumbaa and Timon got their own movie. At least, I think they did. Did they? Maybe they expanded on the characters a bit more there. I hope so. I always liked them as a kid.)
