Customer Reviews

The Art of Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones

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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.

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.

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.

I really loved the Art of Episode I when it was released in late 1999, and didn't think it could get any better than that, but well, it has. The Art of Episode II is a masterpiece, by far the best movie production art book I've ever seen.

It was nice to see so much work included by the new artists at the Attic at Skywalker Ranch: there is some classy work in this book. This is definitely not only for Star Wars fans: anyone who loves art should have this book, for that is what is on display in it's 224 pages: art of the highest caliber.

There are a startling amount of digital production paintings in the book, paintings that are every bit as artistic and moody as more traditionally rendered art. These intense, moody paintings are offset by slick sketches of vehicles, creatures, anything you can imagine.

If the movie itself is half as good as this book suggests it may be, it will be a winner.

Nice art.
Small text and caption numbers.
Read in bright light.
Nice tie-in of illustrations to screenplay that may be missed by some. It's pretty subtle.
Result: Though the book is poorly designed, the illustrations are beautiful making The Art of Star Wars The Attack of the Clones a must for any Star Wars and Sci Fi movie fan.

One of the best of the AOTC companion books, The Art of Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones (written by Mark Cotta Vaz) is a fascinating book, including many different faecets of production design and artwork. These boks give an interesting insight to the huge effort that goes into Star Wars films, with many visualisations that never made it to the screen, and poster art by Star Wars veteran Drew Struzan. The best part is, you get the entire screenplay, including all the deleted scenes and dialouge. The provided info on the entire evolution of production artwork, to models to visual design and then to film is endlessly fascinating, with a wealth of amazing sketches and design artwork.

Length:: 0:22 Mins

This art book is noticeably better that the already good The Art of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

This time round, even more details are added to the concept art. Most of the sketches are now coloured. As usual, the pages are filled to the brim with character designs, environment paintings, storyboards, sculptures and ships. All drawings are captioned by the individual artists on the idea they are trying to bring across.

In some ways, the character designs and sketches look better on book than in the movie. The environment paintings are just epic.

Included also, at the back of the book, is the full script for the movie.

This book is highly recommended to sci-fi artists, concept artists and of course Star Wars fans.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

Para todos los amantes de Star Wars en latinoamérica, este es un libro que se debe tener. No sólo te fascina con sus imagenes y todas las posibilidades que son y que pudieron ser es esta segunda entrega de la saga de la Guerra de las Galaxias. Además, el guión entrega una mayor visión de lo que ocurre en la vida de Anakin Skywalker, en su paso hacia el lado oscuro.

Just like it's awesome predecessor for Episode 1, 'The Art of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones' really delivers the goods, presenting the beautiful concept art for the film. All in a nice hardcover book, it makes a great looking collectable for the shelf. It's fun for the fan to see all the concepts that didn't make it into the final film, as much as it is to see those that did.

The beautiful, lush presentation and care and love to the art of film-making is evident on every page of this tome. For the rabid fan or film historian, each page is sure to delight and prove just how intricate the world of George Lucas' STAR WARS truly is!

A must have!