The Deluxe format in the Star Wars Black Series from Hasbro allows the release of larger characters and droids from the Star Wars Universe and has already included the likes of General Grievous, an Imperial Probe Droid and Heavy Infantry Mandalorian. The first Deluxe release of 2021 is Jar Jar Binks, and he is also the first figure in the Phase 4 Galaxy Collection for The Phantom Menace.
The Deluxe packaging in the Galaxy Collection uses the same format as the standard releases, but widens the front of the box to increase the capacity within for the larger figures or increased accessories. The same principles apply as the standard line with a yellow colour assigned as to The Phantom Menace and this runs as a bar under the figure window and is also used in the character text.
The slanted side art also features the yellow colouring as a hue at the base of the greyscale illustration of Jar Jar. The image has Binks looking off to his right while behind him is a backdrop of Mos Espa. These side panels combine with future releases to produce a wider montage of characters. There are no clues on the Jar Jar packaging as to what the #02 figure in The Phantom Menace collection will be.
The same artwork is repeated on the back of the box and under this is a continuation of the coloured border and it in this segment that the numbering is confirmed. The usual small piece of background text for the figure sits alongside the artwork.
"A clumsy, well-meaning Gungan outcast on Naboo, Jar Jr Binks struggled to prove his worth throughout his life"
The box unpacks as normal, the easiest route is via the bottom flap which is only held shut by one piece of tape. The inner tray secures Jar Jar in position with a clear flexible strap which will need cutting to get him out without any paint rub.
4.0
What ever you think of Jar Jar or his role in the Sequel trilogy, you have to accept that this new 6 inch scale Black Series figure is a pretty fantastic representation of what we see on screen in his first appearance in The Phantom Menace.
The head sculpt is well proportioned and sculpted and then painted with a variating skin tone that is the same beige through orange transition we see on screen from Jar Jar's mouth through to the two head fins that hang down the back of the figure - complete with the small spikes down each side.
Jar Jar's costume in The Phantom Menace was particularly humble and this too is well replicated with a black vest and trouser set over which is placed a tan vest and a waist wrap section. While the waist piece is left in the cast beige rubbery plastic, the vest does get a wash over the base colour to add some weathering.
The exposed skin of the arms has the same application or beige underside through to orange outer facing areas and onto the orange is mottled skin pattern applied down and onto the hands. The exposed feet feature the three wide toes and both toe and finger nails are picked out in a grey tone.
Jar Jar stands a head taller than a normal 6 inch scaled figure such as Phantom Menace Obi-Wan Kenobi (pictured below). This 7 inch height is one of the reasons Jar Jar has been cited as coming in the Deluxe format. In reality the figure height could have been achieved in the standard figure format, after all he isn't much different in size than Darth Vader.
4.5
The other reason for Jar Jar achieving Deluxe status is the inclusion within the box of a set of larger size Gungan weapons as seen in the battle for Naboo. Of course in the Battle on Naboo, Jar Jar didn't actually use any of these weapons - the only weapons he really wielded were a large boomer in a sling towards the end of the battle. Therefore this Gungan weaponry is someone oddly placed within the Jar Jar release?
First is a Gungan staff-spear which arrives in two parts in the box. The top spike section pushes into a slot in the grip of the second piece - a similar connection as used in the Black Series lightsabers. Once assembled is measures 9.25 inches long and is cast in a golden plastic with two painted grip sections. The grips fit into either of Jar Jar's hands, both of which feature pretty flexible fingers to grip the staff.
Accessory two is the energy shield used by the front line troops of the Gungan army. Again, this was never used by Jar Jar in the movie. It is however an impressive piece with a translucent pink shield within a gold plastic frame. It stands as tall as Jar Jar himself and can be held in either hand via a front central grip.
The final weapon is the Atlatl, a throwing stick to launch the energy balls at their enemies. This is a cast gunmetal piece and quite angular and ornate in its design. A translucent blue orb has been placed on top - and this does not detach to recreate the throwing action. Again, Jar Jar can hold this equally well in either hand.
These three accessories are impressive in size and do add to the content value of the set and its circa £30 UK price tab. The question does remain if these were required? Could Jar Jar simply have been sold in the main line with no accessories?
4.5
While humanoid in shape, Jar Jar's physiology has led to a couple of tweaks to the articulation format. He has a total of 17 points of articulation and this doesn't include the head tails, which do look as though they are jointed and can rotate - but its simply a plug in socket with the only movement granted by the flexible plastic of the ears.
Head : ball joint neck base, ball joint head joint
Body : ball joint torso
Arms : ball joint shoulders, single joint rotating elbow, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double jointed knees, ankle rocker
The arms are missing butterfly shoulders, but as they are without any restrictive cloaks, armour or robes they have full movement with the single elbow bending to and just beyond 90 degrees.
It is worth noting that when the elbows - and more obviously - the wrist joints are engaged the unpainted joint is exposed within the mottled skin.
The legs are similarly mobile with just a touch of resistance from the skirt piece over the thighs. The legs wont allow a natural kneel but can replicate that walking motion of Jar Jar and also support action poses with the weaponry if you want to pose Jar Jar that way.
Every joint is tight, although not rigidly so, and the figure stands perfectly well on the large three toed feet.
4.5
Jar Jar certainly expands the Episode 1 roster of characters, although his popularity as a figure will certainly be driven by the popularity of the character and the way he does split the fandom. Putting aside the character for a moment, what Hasbro have brought us is a very well designed, well sculpted and well executed recreation of Jar Jar Binks with excellent paint job and a decent set of articulation and posing options.
The accessories are certainly a debate to be had, particularly as Jar Jar didn't really use them in the movie. If these are the driver in making Jar Jar a £30 deluxe figure, then I would rather have had a Jar Jar as a single release without any pack in accessories.
On the flipside, if these accessories and the Deluxe format of Jar Jar open a door to further Gungan warriors then I am supportive of that also.
I am impressed by the Black Series Jar Jar Binks, it has certainly exceeded my expectations and I give it a total score of 4.5
About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, star wars, black series, galaxy collection, hasbro, the phantom menace. jar jar binks