Customer Reviews

Starlog Photo Guidebook Special Effects No 4

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I've always been a big fan of physical visual effects, where actual models of ships and settings are built from scratch and are used to make movie magic. But, thanks to the progress of modern computer imagery, physical models are gradually being replaced by CGI representations. And yet, even though CGI has come a long way, and looks reasonably realistic to me, I feel that it's not yet quite at the level of sophistication where it looks as convincingly realistic as physical models.

Special Effects Volume 4, like it's three predecessors, covers various moments of visual and special FX from various sci-fi and fantasy films released in the late seventies and early eighties. There's quite a few brief but to-the-point coverage concerning those models I love so much, such as the Enterprise-Reliant battle from "The Wrath of Khan" and the 'bike through the moon' sequence in "E.T.". Also touched on is the puppetry magic of "Dark Crystal" and "Dragonslayer", the melting & exploding heads of "Raiders of the Lost Ark", and the topsy-turvy terror of "Poltergeist".

Not only does this book cover the then-cutting-edge world of model and physical effects, it also goes into the CGI construction and action of the vehicles and backgrounds of "Tron", the first movie to extensively use CGI effects. Also covered in brief is the 'Genesis Effect' sequence seen in "Wrath of Khan". The articles also discuss the future potential of computer magic which is widely used today in FX flicks. Ironically, it's these two parts that I enjoy reading the most.

If you're fortunate enough to find this volume, I also highly recommend you track down the other ones as well. Happy hunting!

'Late!