10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the Episode I book..., June 6, 2002
As excited as I was about getting this book, I ended up being a bit disappointed in it. I'd recently purchased the "Art of Episode I", and, based on the reviews posted here, I was expecting more of the same. Unfortunately, that didn't quite happen. Most of the artwork in this Episode II book is final production art, showing only the *last* piece of concept art, as it was approved by George Lucas. I've seen the film, I didn't need to see drawings of those same characters. Rather, I wanted to see the *concept* art, leading up to the final designs. Does Cotta Vaz expect me to believe they drew only ONE picture of Dexter Jettster, and George approved it? The Episode I book had an entire chapter devoted to the development of the Gungans, but here we get only a page or two per character/location/ship. There are only a few instances in the book where we actually see concept art that differs from what was shown in the film.
Comparing the two, there's a lot more writing in this one, interviews with the artists, etc. This takes up quite a bit of space that could better be used for more artwork.
As for the artwork itself, I was quite impressed. The drawings maintain the same high level of professionalism and detail I came to expect. I wasn't too impressed with the digital paintings, I would have preferred more concept work.
The script in the back of the book certainly takes up space. I've seen the film, and I have the novelization, I don't need the script, especially in a book that's not about the script. In answer to the observation below about how this script is different from the film, well of course it is. The shooting script NEVER matches what's on-screen, it just doesn't happen. In regards to the Original Trilogy scripts, those are reverse-written based on the films themselves, that's why they match perfectly. From Lucas' own mouth, he's said that some of the lines in ROTJ were improvised right on-set, so how could they be in the shooting script?
Anyway, to close about this book, I guess I was spoiled by the Episode I book. I expected more of the same, which is exactly what I wanted. Folks' reviews here indicated I would get even more, but I found I got a lot less. It seems another example of the publisher assuming that they know what the audience wants to see.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Why doesn't the movie look as inspired as the book?!, June 7, 2002
This book should be absolutely a must for art students, directors (especially art directors), illustrators, designers, fantasy and science fiction readers, writers (current and future) and visualists of all genres and mediums.While the movie looks pretty good these ideas in sketches and designs and character studies-as well as full production scenes-are more inspired and potentially more appealing than the film ('potentially' because most artists and art students will get this more than most people who just watch the movies).Some of the technical work while well designed is a bit flat. Even that is a small nitpick. This book is a well researched view into the behind the scenes ideas that make the visual essence of the film. I don't think a person even needs to like the Star Wars stories to enjoy this book on a visual level.This hardback edition is a beautiful addition to unique coffee table books. It's a blast to browse through all these artists' heads as the ideas of forms, lines and color spill out onto the paper, boards, canvas and digital screens.The compositions contained within these pages are wonderfully inspired, strange and mythic.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Is More Like It..., May 1, 2002
I just picked up "The Art of Episode 2" a couple of days ago and I have to tell you I am once again excited about the SW saga. Like a lot of people who grew up with the original trilogy, I found "Episode I" disappointing not only thematically but aesthetically as well. I know it was a prequel, but shiny canary-yellow starfighters and floppy, clumsy Gungans seemed like a betrayal of the design motif that helped make "Star Wars" compelling. Now, without commenting on the plot, it is obvious that "Episode II" will see the start of the SW universe's evolution into the battered, gritty, "lived-in" worlds that are fantastic yet somehow relatable. Here are the evolution of a host of new characters, creatures, and vehicles, as well as two entirely new worlds (three if you count Coruscant, too briefly seen in "Episode I.")
If this visual feast is any indication, "Episode II" will be an exhilarating return to the galaxy Star Wars fans fell in love with in the first place.
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