Figure of the Day: Day 226: Jar Jar Binks (Tatooine)

JAR JAR BINKS Tatooine
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84257
Number: n/a
Includes: Folded up Pit Droid, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 2001
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Rescued by Qui-Gon Jinn from the Trade Federation forces, Jar Jar leaves Naboo and joins the Jedi on a mission to deliver Queen Amidala to Coruscant. An emergency detour to Tatooine leads them to Watto's junk shop. There, Jar Jar's insatiable curiosity gets him into trouble when he actually activates an excitable pit droid! (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Poor Jar Jar Binks, always the punchline, but never funny. (Well, maybe on that one Colbert Report episode.) From 2001, this was the last Jar Jar figure based on Episode I, and it was the best overall. With ball-jointed shoulders and a tongue sticking out, the figure could express contempt as only he could-- and it really does show off the figure's personality quite well. After all, Jar Jar is childish, and the pose represents this quite well. The arm textures and deco are on par with other versions of Jar Jar from the film, so there's really nothing to write home about here aside from the fact that this seems to be the only Jar Jar figure that really captures the alien's personality-- he's goofy, not serious, awkward, not precise, and most important of all... he's a spaz. He shouldn't have a giant staff, a cannon, or anything sharp. As far as Jar Jar figures go, this is an easy favorite-- you're going to want at least one of this Gungan menace in your collection, so it may as well be this one. Besides, the bonus tiny collapsed Pit Droid is worth getting even if you hate Jar Jar.

Oh, and a warning-- the tonuge? Not removable. What you see is what you get, so take care not to tear it off.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro made a deluxe Jar Jar with a cannon, a regular one, a swimming one, and some others-- but this one is best. The real draw is the droid accessory, but the figure's nifty appearance and giant tongue make it a distinctive, stand-out figure in the line and part of what made the entire Power of the Jedi range so fun and unique. Today, the figure is basically worthless-- five dollars or less on eBay. At least he's affordable! As the last Episode I-based Jar Jar figure, you might ask if it's worth doing another one. I would say there's potential to do one with better articulation and multiple heads so you can change his expression. Jar Jar has never been made with a big goofy smile, and as it's somewhat telling of his character, I would very much like to see one last really good Jar Jar figure. And that'd be the last one.

Day 226: December 18, 2006