17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intelligently written at last!, January 29, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Art of Mulan (Hardcover)
I have noticed the number of reviewers for 'Art of Mulan'who criticized it for not going into the animation process deeply enough. I am of the opinion that such elementary explanation of animation is not the function of these books. There are no shortage of instructional books if you want to learn about animation. Myself, I soaked up the much more detailed analysis of the Making of Mulan. I was most intrigued by the issues faced in making a western film but still faithful to the values and depiction of Chinese culture. Plus, this book contains the sharpest words yet put forward by a Disney representative in defense of Disney's methods of adaptation, and comments on critics who deride Disney as a whole for 'ruining' classic legends, whereas adaptation of a legend to a contemporary audience has been happening for centuries and is nothing new. Great book. Great art.
...and what the hell was the 'disgusting' nude art referred to by one reviewer! There was nothing indecent in the art that I could recall.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holds a special place on my shelf..., June 12, 2001
This review is from: The Art of Mulan (Hardcover)
I have long studied, followed, and enjoyed Disney animation, and the film "Mulan" certainly did not disappoint me. So, when I set out to buy this book upon its initial publishing, I was fairly certain I would like it. I was wrong, I loved it!
Jeff Kurtti does an excellent job scribing the background for the making of this feature, and he has quickly established himself as the preeminent writer for Disney books of this nature. I was fortunate to meet and speak with Mr. Kurtti during my wonderful participation at the Mulan Animation Experience held at the Disney Insitute in the summer of 1998, and he comes off as an "ultimate Disney fan". His writing conveys this as well, but in a more polished, informative nature. He really had a good time researching this book, and it shows!
But, with all due respect to Mr. Kurtti, this book isn't called the "Art of Mulan" for nothing. The typical Disney quality is abundant in every frame of artwork within the book, and the sheer volume of development and concept sketches is a real treat. Having also met the film's directors, many of the animators, storyboard artists, etc. at the '98 event (put together, by the way, by Mr. Larry Lauria, a quality individual in the animation industry) I have had the luxury of being exposed to many of the background elements during the development of this film. This book, however, served as a wonderful companion piece to that experience, and also communicates much of the same information and emotion felt at that event. It is that thorough and the result of another top-notch Hyperion production.
Certainly, if you like the movie and/or appreciate Disney animation (or the growing library of "Art of..." books), then this one should be in your collection. Mr. Kurtti, Disney, and Hyperion have "done honour to us all".
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!, July 24, 2000
This review is from: The Art of Mulan (Hardcover)
I love this book. It is in fact one of the few "Art Of" books that I've read from beginning to end, instead of just skimming around for the "good parts". For me, it was ALL good parts. The book is filled with amazing artwork. You get to learn some interesting secrets about the movie. And, read about the gang's trip to China, which I found very interesting.
If you liked Mulan, like animation or just like art, you definitly should buy this book!
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