Filmmaker and New Yorker film critic Richard Brody's thoughts on the prequels. — Page 5

Dek Rollins said:

Lord Haseo said:

Well that one defense

“Oh, it ain’t as bad as people would have you think”

I hope you don’t hold that against me. I completely understand why people think TPM was so racist. I’m just not convinced they’re 100% right.

I don’t think there is any ill intent with it but the characters are racist caricatures. From the timid aliens with heavy heavy Asian accents to Watto who has a middle eastern like accent, a beard, a long ass nose and is greedy. Jar Jar is a bumbling idiot who is reminiscent of Carribean and Black Face caricatures which is evident by the half assed way he speaks Basic.

And even as a mixed man I don’t hold it against you seeing as how you’ve never exhibited racist behavior.

BmB said:

If you dislike kid Anakin I suspect it’s because you dislike kids in general, rather than anything about his performance or dialogue.

This is probably my favorite (and most ignorant) statement.

Smithers said:
Yes, and the first EU novel also had Luke and Vader both trying to find a crystal, some concepts don’t work well in the SW universe even if they’re old ideas

Nevertheless those guidelines were penned by Lucas, showing that the idea existed all the way back then, and is not some prequel era invention or retcon.

http://www.davechen.net/2012/02/racism-stereotypes-phantom-menace-star.html

BmB said:

Smithers said:
Yes, and the first EU novel also had Luke and Vader both trying to find a crystal, some concepts don’t work well in the SW universe even if they’re old ideas

Nevertheless those guidelines were penned by Lucas, showing that the idea existed all the way back then, and is not some prequel era invention or retcon.

But TPM is where he decided to use it, and it takes a dump on the entire OT.

TV’s Frink said:

http://www.davechen.net/2012/02/racism-stereotypes-phantom-menace-star.html

This person seems offended that someone isn’t going on his witch hunt with him.

You are a person who seems detached from reality.

Lord Haseo said:

Watto who has a middle eastern like accent

His accent sounds Italian to me. *shrug*

DuracellEnergizer said:

Lord Haseo said:

Watto who has a middle eastern like accent

His accent sounds Italian to me. *shrug*

Even if you disregard the accent there’s still enough to make what I’m saying stick

TV’s Frink said:

BmB said:

If you dislike kid Anakin I suspect it’s because you dislike kids in general, rather than anything about his performance or dialogue.

This is probably my favorite (and most ignorant) statement.

Yeah, I found some of his dialogue cringeworthy the first time I watched it, and I was eight.

I don’t seriously think any of the characters in the PT are intended to be racist in any way. I think it is the result of certain shortcuts Hollywood has always taken in creating accents. They can’t hardly do anything without making it sound like something that already exists. Everyone seems to keep focusing on Jar Jar’s idiocy as some indication, ignoring that the rest of the Gungans aren’t idiots but talk exactly the same way. Watto is only racist if you want him to be. His accent is indistinct, he has wiskers like many lazy men do, and he is a business man. There is more of Fred Sanford (and even more of Steptoe, the original character) in him than anything Jewish. He seems like the kind of shady junk dealer you might find on the East Coast and his accent bears this out. And Nute Gunray is too tall fit the typical image of a stereotyped Asian. They have strange pupil, not strange eyes. I don’t see any deliberate attempt to craft characters based on extant races. I see a huge attempt to craft unique creatures who speak uniquely (like Yoda). It’s supposed to be a big galaxy, but this planet isn’t big enough to escape comparisons that I do not think were intended.

None of this comes close to the faux pas of Hollywood when it was being racist.

I think there are plenty of faults with the PT without making them up.

Whatever you say dude…

Holy shit.

Lol, I’m not bothering with anything that starts with “what is the definition of racism?” or talks about the “politically correct media” or says that I’m the racist one for claiming the movie contains racial stereotypes.

But also, (in response to yotsuya) if you find yourself saying things like “he’s only racist if you want him to be” or “he’s too tall to be a racist caricature,” well…do I need to finish this sentence?

I didn’t even bother opening it in the first place. Thanks for ensuring that I never do XD

Or not.