24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Magic of Pre-Production Adds Excitement to Disney Script, June 1, 2001
This review is from: Atlantis: The Lost Empire: The Illustrated Script (Abridged with Notes From the Filmmakers) (Hardcover)
Disney Press has published a bushel of books tied to their summer animated feature "Atlantis: The Lost Empire." Best among these offerings is this addition to the "art of" genre. Starting with "The Lion King", Disney Inc. has published this sort of book for nearly every one of their animated feature films (save the recent "Emperor's New Groove" which, sadly, the studio didn't seem to know what to do with since nothing was published that gave readers a glimpse of what went into this under-marketed manic delight. Though Amazon does carry the deluxe DVD of this film which more than makes up for lack of a book.) As with previous publications, in "Atlantis: The Illustrated Script" readers are treated to a pastiche of the extensive research and magnificent pre-production drawings, paintings, pastels, watercolors and storyboards created in the course of the three to five years that goes into making these films. Previous Disney 'art of" books were breathtakingly beautiful, and that's still the case here. But past efforts were sadly disconnected from the very thing to which all that beautiful art was in service - a screenplay. Disney Press now gives us a working blueprint that marries process to product by simply illustrating the script. This is what the art was created for, after all - to realize on screen what starts as the written word. "Atlantis: The Illustrated Script" is an excellent first stab at scaling down on hype, too. Though far from perfect (sorely missing is a full credit of the visual development and story artists who contributed to the film) it is a superior offering by comparison to other 'tie-in' Atlantis books Disney Press has released this week. And it's no less lovely than "The Art of Mulan", "The Art of the Lion King" and "Tarzan Chronicles". This book is less of a marketing tool since it skips the 'how to' of the trials and tribulations of mounting a self-proclaimed masterwork. The script is abridged we assume because publication deadlines and production deadlines could not permit a 'final script' that matched the 'final cut' in time to reach shelves in advance of the release. Or could it be that we're supposed to believe that the final version holds some exciting new sequence not appearing in these pages? Hmmmmm. (I said 'less' of a marketing tool. I'm not foolish enough to think it has no intention of luring us to theatres. This is Disney we're talking about!) Still, the comfortable 9 x 12 size makes this a manageable easy-chair read (the format up until now has been an oversized coffee table tome) and a cozy seduction to see the finished product. The direct and uncluttered approach is most likely due to the influence of the film's producer, Don Hahn. (Hahn's own "The Magic of Disney Animation" is an excellent example of a manageable introduction to the Disney animation process that dazzles without a sledgehammer, albeit aimed more toward young readers.) "Atlantis: The Illustrated Script" is a beautifully designed must have for the more informed Disney animation fans and film art fans, as well as general readers and animation lovers. Priced within reason and well worth adding to your personal library. Let's hope to see more of the same from Disney Press.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting insight, but the new format is missing something, May 31, 2001
This review is from: Atlantis: The Lost Empire: The Illustrated Script (Abridged with Notes From the Filmmakers) (Hardcover)
After haering so much about Atlantis, and being an aniamtion fan and student, it seemed inevitable that I would purchase this book. Almost everyone I know wanted to see this book, which is very interesting indeed.
The film's script is considered abridged, which is quite true in a sense. After reading the junior novelization, there are several areas that are vague, but the book provides much of the script, and the stuff different from the junior novelization does nothing to really help the plot (for example, there was a scene where several museum board members are heard commenting on Milo Thatch's proposals). The script here provides some extensive detail, and you can just hear what is going on so well. Also, when the Atlanteans speak in their language, it is written so you could pronounce it as well.
as for the artwork showcased, it is worth the price of the book. you can see a sketch of a viking from a cut sequence where the Norse men go in search of Atlantis, which causes the book that leads to Atlantis's location to be lost in Iceland.
Mike Mignola (creator of Hellboy), was instrumental in coming up with character designs and sketches, and here, you can see his conceptuals and other art that lead the way to a more angular style.
Storyboards are also incorporated, including a revisioned scene that one of the director's sketched in a notebook, and even super-detailed storyboard sketches. Also included are technical drawings of thet mechanical vehicles and crafts that the humans use to try and find Atlantis. There are also numerous conceptual paintings, and some instances of well drawn pencil and clean-up drawings.
There are also comments by the directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. Thet provide several insights, including the extension of some scenes, what it was like to work with Jim Varney (who passed away soon after his part was recorded), and other ideas that worked and others that failed.
The book is truly interesting, but the fact that you have all this interesting art, leaves you wondering somewhat about the opinions and thoughts of others of the crew, like some of the stsoryboard artists, or conceptual artists. It would have been interesting to make this book a little bigger, incorporating a bit of the technical analysis seen in "The Art of Mulan" and "Fantasia 2000: Visions of Hope." Still, Atlantis: the (abridged) illustrated screenplay should definitely get you in the mood to see this film. Just ask the 15 people I showed it to.
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
NOT THE ART OF!!!, August 29, 2004
This review is from: Atlantis: The Lost Empire: The Illustrated Script (Abridged with Notes From the Filmmakers) (Hardcover)
dont mistake this one for the "ART OF" series books as it only contains the complete script of the film atlantis. it IS not for people looking for in depth making of the film or the production related stuff though it does contain few concept art, scattered here and there.
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