Return of the Jedi Sketchbook Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a simple book filled with sketches of beings, places and objects on Tatooine, Endor, The Death Star and a small section on Rebel Spacecraft. The cover is in full color but the sketches and text are black and white, holding true to what a sketchbook is. It shows the evolution of the designs and offers a little bit of text. The Contributors are Joe Johnston and Nilo Rodis-Jamero with extra material by Ralph McQuarrie and Norman Reynolds. This is for the collector and may not serve any purpose to the passing fan, especially since it is out of print. I have enjoyed this for years.

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A New Hope: The Illustrated Screenplay (Star Wars, Episode IV) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is awesome. It is a good idea to add some of the storyboard seens into the script. This gives the reader a chance to actually see what George Lucas pictured when he did star wars. And you can see what the actors had to memorize. You can also see what George Lucas wrote and the Deleted scenes. It is a really good book.

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A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY . . ."It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire."INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER--MAIN HALLWAYThe awesome seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of The Sith makes his way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor.VADER: Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans and bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive! *****Even the best actors, the most talented director, and the most amazing special effects can't make a great movie without a superb story to build on. Now here is the complete screenplay of the cornerstonefilm that launched a science fiction phenomenon. Experience the capture of Princess Leia by Lord Darth Vader and the evil minions of the Empire . . . Farmboy Luke Skywalker's discovery of her desperate message hidden in the droid R2-D2 . . . Luke's fateful meetings with legendary Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and intergalactic smuggler Han Solo . . . And the climactic battle to destroy the sinister Death Star. Fully illustrated with the original storyboard art--and featuring hightlights of the famous Rolling Stone interview with George Lucas--this definitive volume is a must for every Star Wars library.

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The Quotable Star Wars Review

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(More customer reviews)For those who love the Star Wars trilogy, and don't already know these quoted lines like the back of their hand, this is a delightful little book. If you could orally preserve the classic screenplays verbatim in the event Lucasfilm archives lost them, though, the chief appeal is the novelty of having it. The variety of quotes is wide and sufficient, although there are a few places where they could have captured the quote more effectively. It's organized into humorous little sections, mostly by character. For those of us who act out the lively dialogue between R2 and C3P0 in the privacy of our own closets, this little book is well worth having.

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TWENTY YEARS AGO, IN A THEATER RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER . . .Movie audiences fell in love with the rogue, the farmboy, the princess, the villain cloaked in black. Each had his or her place in the universe, and each possessed a unique style."I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board.""Let the Wookiee win.""Do. Or do not. There is no try."No series of movies--before or since--has yielded so many memorable moments as the Star Wars trilogy. Those moments are captured here, for everyone to carry and enjoy so that, now and forever . . .The Force will be with you . . . always.

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The Star Wars Poster Book Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is the most comprehenstive look at the various Star Wars poster that have ever existed. Many of them we are familair with, but some we have never seen. Such as a cheep version of the classic '77 poster found in theaters in the USSR.
The side comments about the posters by the authors are cute and add a sense of true fandom. The pictures are in such good detail that you can read the tiny print found on the posters themselves in the book.
A must have for any diehard Star Wars fan. And for the Original Trilogy fans, they too will be delighted since 4/5 of the book focus on the Original Trilogy posters. *thumbs up*

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One of the very first Star Wars posters had no images at alljust enormous block letters that announced, "Coming to Your Galaxy This Summer: Star Wars." The rest is history. Now, 28 years later, the 350 most amazing Star Wars movie posters are collected for the first time. This compilation spans the surreal to ultra realistic, the campy to darkly serious: Darth Vader's head exploding in a shower of camera parts; Anakin Skywalker casting an ominous Sith shadow; C-3PO and R2-D2 selling Star Wars shoes; Luke and Vader in mortal battle aboard the Death Star. Classic posters are joined with text by the world's foremost Star Wars collector, Stephen Sansweet, and poster collector Peter Vilmur, behind-the-scenes stories from artists and designers, a scarcity guide to over 2,000 posters, and a bootleg identification guide. Exploding with color, The Star Wars Poster Book illuminates an unexplored corner of Star Wars history.
2005 by Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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The Complete Locations of Star Wars: Inside the Worlds of the Entire Star Wars Saga Review

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(More customer reviews)This is by far my favorite series of the DK Star Wars books. The locations and maps are excellent and one can spend hours just poring over the detail in one painting. I've been a Star Wars fan since the age of six in the spring of 1977 and I've always loved the technical aspects os the Star Wars fantasy. This book delivers in spades.
However, this goes for someone who hasn't already purchased, Episode 1 Complete Locations, Episode 2 complete Locations, and Classic Trilogy Complete Locations. As for me, I've already spent $20 per book for the first three and now DK decides to charge $40 (msrp) so I can buy all of it again? Yes, I want the new Revenge locations, as I've mentioned this is a fantastic series, but asking me to spend an additional $20 for material I've already spent $60 on is just poor business.
So, I highly recommend this book for anyone buying these for the first time - 5 stars. For anyone who has already purchased this series in years past - do as I will do. I will buy this book and then return the prior ones to the brick & mortar bookstore (it's ok, I used to manage one of them superstores, they just put it on the shelf and sell it again or return it to DK for credit) - 3 stars to DK for that marketing ploy.
In the end - 4 stars overall.

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Star Wars: The Magic of Myth Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've been lucky enough to see "The Magic of Myth" in one of its many permutations, this book is a great supplement to and a wonderful reminder of just how cool that exhibit was. If you haven't seen the exhibit, this book is still great to have for it's back-story on the origins of the trilogy.
I'm not the most well-read person around so it was a lot of fun to learn how Lucas' characters and story were shaped by (or copied from) myths and legends of other times and cultures. Reading this book has led me to explore some of the material that Lucas borrowed from in creating Star Wars. I'm a big SW nut, but it's nice to get my head out of the SW universe and out into other forms of art and literature.
If you don't feel like reading, this book is also full of GREAT photos from the trilogy.
I keep this one on the shelf next to Joseph Campbell's "Power of Myth." It is a nice complement to Campbell's book.

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

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(More customer reviews)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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For more than twenty-five years, the visual brilliance of the Star Wars films has captivated audiences far and wide. From lush words to intricate landscapes, from lavish costumes to amazing creatures, the Star Wars design artists have pioneered the technological revolution, while never surrendering the dazzling sense of wonder. Filled with stunning examples of beautiful, never-before-seen movie artwork, The Art of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones takes us through antakes us through an incredible gallery of astonishing images. As an added bonus, this volume features the exclusive illustrated screenplay, as well as:• More than 500 extraordinary illustrations—including sketches, costume designs, set pieces, models, and brilliant full-color paintings• An in-depth look at the amazing new creatures introduced in Episode II• Fascinating behind-the-scenes accounts and anecdotes related by the artists themselves• Magnificent visuals of exotic new planets, exciting new spacecraft, and dramatic new characters such as Jango Fett, Count Dooku, and Jedi Luminara Unduli• Thrilling movie poster art art created especially for Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the ClonesExperience the Lucasfilm magic with visuals more striking than ever before, and become one of the first to witness the worlds and the wizardry of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.From the Hardcover edition.

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Star Wars Art: Visions Review

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(More customer reviews)This isn't the concept art book I imagined or was expecting. This isn't a concept art book at all.
Star Wars Art: Visions is more of a fan art book, except the 'fans' here are some of the best illustrators around. Think Moebius, Alex Ross, Syd Mead, Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo, H.R. Giger, Peter de Seve and James Christensen. There are 93 guest artists in all. Wow!
George Lucas has invited all these fine artists to create art for Star Wars, in their own style and interpretation. You'll see art from all sorts of styles, ranging from impressionist to manga to Picasso, punk(?), collage and more.
The book itself is huge, and the prints are large. You can see the details of the brush strokes and all. And most of the paintings are created traditionally.
The subjects are pretty cool, especially the more different ones like Kermit the Frog fishing with Yoda (from Peter de Seve), or the manga Leia which looks like she's from an alternate universe, or (gasp!) a nude Aayla.
This is a great collection of quality art. Easily recommended to any Star Wars fan.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

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When Star Wars debuted in 1977, it revolutionized mainstream American filmmaking, transporting fans to new galaxies and introducing them to countless now-classic characters, aliens, planets, and starships. In the decades since, the Star Wars Saga has become a phenomenon impacting cultures across the globe.
Just as George Lucas drew upon the work of N. C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell for his own visual inspiration, he has now invited more than 100 well-known and promising artists to draw upon the entire Star Wars galaxy for inspiration. Star Wars: Visions collects these magnificent artworks for the first time. Featuring pieces by renowned artists such as Amano, Allan R. Banks, Harley Brown, Gary Carter, James Christensen, Michael Coleman, Kinuko Craft, Jim Dietz, Phillipe Druillet, Donato Giancola, Ann Hanson, H. R. Giger, Daniel Greene, Ron Kleeman, Arantzazu Martinez, Syd Mead, Moebius, Paul Oxborough, Alex Ross, Anthony J. Ryder, Dolfi Stoki, William Stout, Dan Thompson, Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo, Scott Waddell, and Jamie Wyeth, Star Wars: Visions is a breakthrough tribute to the worldwide inspiration that is Star Wars.Praise for Star Wars Art: Visions:"Star Wars Art: Visions . . . acknowledges what fans have felt all along. They don't want to be mere spectators, but involved in the storytelling too." -Los Angeles Times

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The Art of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Review

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(More customer reviews)Fantastic, beautiful book. Full of gorgeous artwork and pictures. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because for some inexplicable reason, the script is NOT included in the US version. However, the complete illustrated script IS included in the UK version, which I bought from Amazon.co.uk. I can't imagine why this was done, it is a real disservice to the US market. I highly recommend getting the UK version even though it will cost a bit more than the US version.

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Packed with breathtaking visuals created by a team of world-class artists, The Art of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith charts the visual genesis of this epic saga's climactic finale. For years, George Lucas's handpicked group has created characters, costumes, droids, starships, planetary vistas, digi-matte paintings, and sculptures–every type of visual imaginable.This extraordinary volume unveils never-before-seen images–thus taking readers on a fascinating journey from the first concepts to the final movie. While marveling at hundreds of brilliant pieces of art, readers will experience • Darth Vader–a look at the sinister chamber where he is created• stunning conceptual visions for the climactic lightsaber duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi• the evolution of General Grievous–the new face of evil– from initial sketches to ILM animation art• fantastic full-color renderings of costumes, weapons, landscapes, and spacecraft• intriguing insights from exclusive interviews with the artists, whose groundbreaking work helped bring Lucas's ideas to lifeNew to this edition–the one and only Revenge of the Sith screenplay, revealing every beat of the action.For Star Wars fans everywhere, this treasure trove of images from the final, fateful Star Wars movie will provide a visual feast that promises hours of endless excitement.

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