Jar Jar Binks - TCW [B] - Basic (No. 24)

It's up to Jar Jar Binks to save the day when Padmé Amidala walks into a trap set by the Separatists on the planet Rodia. Donning a Jedi robe, Jar Jar hopes that the threat of dealing with a formidable "Jedi" will force Padmé's captors to release her.

Admit it! You either "love to hate" or "hate to love" Jar Jar Binks! There aren't any in-between feelings are there? Our preference tends to be "hate to love" because although he is annoying, he is capable of cracking a smile or even making us laugh from time to time. It was only a matter of time before Jar Jar Binks received his due credit and got realized in animated form from the very popular The Clone Wars series. He is based on his appearance from the "Bombad Jedi" television episode, and Hasbro has done a fine job with this figure. He costume and appearance are very authentic, and he has so many intricate details that we are very impressed by how Hasbro managed to capture them all so well on a small action figure. Jar Jar Binks has 18 points of articulation and received a magnificent paint application. On top of a ball head joint, the bottom of his long neck also has a joint. He has the perfect amount of movement you would expect from a figure of this variety. And while more joints would have been divine, we won't complain about how we wish he had more. Samples vary, but you should look at the placement of pupils in his yellow irises when you are picking up yours because we found many that were off center, to the point of being distracting. Eye placement on action figures can be very hit or miss, and it is especially responsible for making some figures look good or really bad. And purchasing one with centered pupils will make or break this figure (we are sorry to say). So be choosy when picking him up! Jar Jar also comes with a Jedi-esque cloak with a unique wire in the collar. With the right amount of futzing, you can make this cloak stay on him while looking very authentic and without the use of sleeves or a collar tie. The cloak has a striking "off the shoulder" appearance.

Jar Jar Binks is a stellar action figure. We are impressed with how well the final product turned out. Even the most discriminating collectors will be hard pressed to find faults on this action figure. The rest of his outfit is a joy also. He has an ornately detailed and purple-colored "tie/scarf" hanging from a brown and gold ring around his delicate neck with a neat paisley pattern. It is incredible how realistic even the gold ring looks. It is evident Hasbro spared no expense making this figure turn out so perfectly. This pattern also matches the long fingerless gloves on his forearms. While perhaps not the most masculine touch to a male character, it solidifies his whimsical and carefree behavior quite flawlessly. These details are essential into translating the beautiful two dimensional TV show into a sculpted masterpiece. Jar Jar's skin tone is pale when compared to his movie counterpart, but this is not a criticism. It serves his animated version very well and allows for great contrast to the Gungan body pattern on his posterior. Although Jar Jar doesn't have knee joints, he does benefit from ankle joints and for this type of alien, they work very well. Standing him upright is not an issue on our sample and the joints are hidden well by his long "boot-cut" styled pants, amazingly well to be exact. Hasbro certainly went the extra mile on shadowing and other details like on the back of Jar Jar's ears for example. It makes this animated version life-like. Jar Jar's frame is very delicate looking and it is an amazing accomplishment for Hasbro to create a figure of this stature with such impressive precision. It is quite an amazing feat to sculpt an action figure that is so skinny and narrow, yet is also functional and artistic.

Jar Jar Binks may just activate a whole new base of fans. We even have to admit that we have given Jar Jar action figures a second chance and considered the relevance of this character a bit more thanks to this action figure. And interestingly it is one of the best in the entire The Clone Wars [B] line. The Clone Wars is destined to keep bringing us excellent characters which will, in turn, bring us new and excellent action figures from Hasbro. Jar Jar Binks is proof that a Star Wars character may have previously had the responsibility for alienating longtime Star Wars fans but can now be finally welcomed again for the first time into a new collection thanks to a reinvention in animated form. For some reason, you can forgive his clumsiness and antics much more easily in the television series. Yes, he is at best slightly reinvented, but he is awesome nonetheless. While the behaviors of Jar Jar do not differ that much from big screen to small screen, it is easier to tolerate him in the cartoon. An animated approach does a great deal to forgive the exaggerated features or traits seen. And the Bombad Jedi episode has a great deal of exciting action which Jar Jar took part. We are thankful that this episode was a success and that it didn't further alienate him from fans. The road is long up ahead, and we expect to see a few more versions of Jar Jar before the line is out as long as he continues to show his face in the episodes. And if Hasbro keeps delivering this quality, we don't take issue with seeing more Jar Jar down the line. He has becomes a welcome member of the Star Wars universe as far as we are concerned now. We believe you may see this the same way. This is a great figure to help you develop that soft spot for him too!