The Art of Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker by Phil Szostak
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The volume opens with some concept artwork that was held dorsum from The Art of The Last Jedi. This seems to bespeak that Lucasfilm and the publis
I dearest "Art of..." movie books, and I've mostly felt more enthusiastic about the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Star Wars sequel trilogy than about the actual films themselves. So I looked forward to seeing the concept art for The Ascent of Skywalker—a film I liked quite a lot the first time I watched information technology, but less and less with each subsequent viewing.The volume opens with some concept artwork that was held dorsum from The Fine art of The Last Jedi. This seems to indicate that Lucasfilm and the publishers realize that it's improve to publish a book like this a few months after the film'southward release, and then they don't have to withhold potential spoilers. Merely then this book doesn't say anything about the Emperor, even though that was no spoiler by the time of the book's release, and so I estimate the lesson hasn't been learned after all. Why publish a book that'south deliberately incomplete?
I enjoyed looking at the fantastic creativity of the art and design squad, axiomatic throughout this book. But there are a couple of things that made me sad well-nigh this one. First is that I really think it's time for Star Wars to become something dissimilar. I dearest Ralph McQuarrie—absolutely ane of my favorite artists—but I don't think every new pattern for every Star Wars film has to be justified by pointing out that it'south something y'all tin can see in the background of one of his concept pieces for the original Star Wars. Allow's move on, seek out new life, new civilizations, and so on.
The other sadness that permeates the pages of the book is the obvious fact that the filmmakers had no idea what they were doing with this story. As I read about the movie'south development, I sense that there is no real story that needs to exist told, yet the filmmakers feel the total weight of this needing to be the conclusion to a 9-film serial (which I don't retrieve it needs to be at all; there's cypher near the original trilogy that requires annihilation in the sequel trilogy). But a few months before filming began, co-writer Chris Terrio said,
At that place's a new script every morning. But we but go along going at it and going at it, loosely thinking that information technology's non good enough. Information technology's never good enough. Luckily, the production team is so good that they can shift and conform. We're course-correcting equally we go—we're trying things, and some things don't piece of work and some things aren't ambitious enough. Some things are overly ambitious. Some things are too dense. Some things are also elementary. Some things are too cornball. Some things are likewise out-of-left-field. We're finding our balance (201).Sigh. That quote actually sums up all my frustrations with the sequel trilogy. Reading this book, I feel similar the picture was created past J. J. Abrams thinking up 20 things he'd dear to see in a Star Wars movie, and so narrowing that listing downwardly and figuring out how to make a story that does those things. Considering of this, even the artwork (which is often very beautiful) gives me a kind of "Who cares?" feeling.
This is an up-and-downwardly review of the book, I know. :) That's how a lot of u.s. feel about SW these days.
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This book has followed the trend I have seen with a number of other Rise OF Skywalker books - information technology has lost of trivial bit of its focus - the content and layout does non quite experience the same as how the other "fine art of.." books have been before - something I have noticed elsewhere too.
And then comes to the end (for the fourth dimension existence) the collecting of the artwork books from the Starwars films (it only now leaves the TV series till of class Disney needs more money and decides to go for a reboot or two).This book has followed the trend I have seen with a number of other Ascent OF Skywalker books - information technology has lost of petty bit of its focus - the content and layout does not quite experience the same as how the other "art of.." books have been before - something I have noticed elsewhere besides.
Now I am not sure if this indicative of the fact that the whole movie has lost some of its management (I rather enjoyed it but reading some of the comments I fell like I am in the minority) and the supporting material sort of reflects that.
I would however disagree nigh the direction - if anything I remember that the concept textile captured in this volume is even more interesting since it is less near what was in the movie but more than well-nigh what came well-nigh considering of it - there are many scenes for example that never appeared in the film birthday.
So I have to say I accept mixed feelings near this book - its a showcase for some amazingly talented people Doug Chiang will always have my adoration from Robota let solitary his other amazing creations but at the same fourth dimension do I think this is a fitting end to the saga - I am non sure - then again i am not sure what a plumbing fixtures end would even exist!
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The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker spans the galaxy and offers some surprises
Review past C.J. Bunce
As the ninth and concluding film in the Skywalker Saga arrives in a habitation video release, the fifth volume from Abrams Books chronicling the entirety of the Disney-era Star Wars concept artwork is here. The Fine art of Star Wars: The Ascent of Skywalker does not disappoint in showing readers the expansive designs for a motion picture that stepped ahead of its predecessor with 1000
Originally published at BORG magazine.The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker spans the milky way and offers some surprises
Review by C.J. Bunce
As the ninth and final film in the Skywalker Saga arrives in a home video release, the 5th volume from Abrams Books chronicling the entirety of the Disney-era Star Wars concept artwork is here. The Fine art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker does non disappoint in showing readers the expansive designs for a film that stepped ahead of its predecessor with more than ships, more action, more aliens, more weaponry, and more costume designs. Our only promise is that Abrams obtains the rights to create a like volume continuing this serial of books, documenting the first flavor of The Mandalorian. I affair every fan volition find who has watched all xi movies in the franchise–more than than ever readers can at present clearly see elements from each prequel, each original trilogy episode, and each Star Wars Story flick incorporated into the sets, ships, and characters in this final installment.
Equally with the offset two books in the trilogy, this wait at the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker shows paths taken and, more interestingly, paths not taken past production designer Rick Carter, franchise veteran Kevin Jenkins, and the remainder of the fine art design team. This includes alternate costumes for Rey, Finn, Poe, Lando, Zorii, and Jannah, new pilots, stormtroopers, droids, and new worlds of creature concepts. Probably more than the past volumes in the series, this book has close-up detailed views at props, including lightsaber and other weaponry, all in search of that design element that says "Star Wars" to the movie audience.
Read more than of this review hither at BORG.
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Szostak's volume on TROS has some visually stunning artwork
I've made no hugger-mugger of my thwarting in The Ascension of Skywalker (TROS), particularly in Ben Solo's redemption arc. However, whatsoever my feelings about the terminal moving-picture show, I find the process of making Star Wars movies fascinating. I always get in a point to choice up the "Fine art of Star Wars" books by Lucasfilm creative art manager Phil Szostak, which collects concept art used to bring director J.J. Abram and writer Chris Terrio's story to life.Szostak's book on TROS has some visually stunning artwork for creatures and outfits - including some pieces that are more interesting than anything seen in the final film. In fact, I'm somewhat struck by just how much the film and the concept designs leaned into the Original Trilogy aesthetic. In the volume, Terrio is quoted equally acknowledging the criticism that the Sequel Trilogy relies besides heavily the original films... but so justified that as part of a theme: this generation has to fight the aforementioned conflicts as the last.
As a consequence, as with The Strength Awakens, I think the product design for TROS is a bit too faithful to the look of the Original Trilogy. Ralph McQuarrie, the key concept artist for the original Star Wars, is quoted reverentially in the volume - with good reason. Nonetheless, some of the best designs in the volume find a way to both fit Ralph'southward style and to do something new. For example, the snow planet Kijimi was inspired past Japanese architecture from Akira Kurosawa'due south The Hidden Fortress, merely modified with embellishments reminiscent of buildings in Ralph's work. As a setting, Kilimi works wonderfully - both as a concept and in execution.
It's quite articulate that Szostak was not immune to discuss some of the more embarrassing aspects of TROS's production, such every bit the firing of director Colin Trevorrow and the rushed schedule. Still, the book - perhaps unintentionally - provides some insight into the chaos. Compared to The Last Jedi, much of the concept art for TROS seems intended to begin ideas rather than to illustrate a coherent vision for a story. Terrio admits that the script went through many revisions, some of them significant. At that place'south a lot of artwork focused on ideas that that ultimately never fabricated it into the picture.
Unfortunately, Szostak doesn't prove or even acknowledge concept art for Treverrow's Duel of the Fates script. Some of this concept art and the full script leaked online, providing a fascinating expect at an culling Episode Ix. Of form, it's unfair a draft script with the final film, peculiarly given that Treverrow'southward version was written before Carrie Fisher'southward passing and relied far more on Leia. Still, I wish Szostak had at least discussed some of this art and how Lucasfilm's artists changed their approach when J.J. Abrams joined the project.
Too disappointing is the lack of any concept art of the planet Exegol or the Emperor. Szostak has said this art was deliberately left out of the book in gild to avoid leaks. Nevertheless, the trailer for TROS at Star Wars Celebration revealed Palpatine's presence in the film - back in April 2019. This "Art of" book came out in March 2020 - surely enough time to revise the book to include some images that would contain potential spoilers.
I doubtable it will have at least a decade for us to become the full story of what happened behind the scenes of the Sequel Trilogy. I would love for J.West. Rinzler to do for these more recent films what he did for the Original Trilogy. In the concurrently, Szostak'southward The Fine art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a unique wait at the creativity of the artists at Lucasfilm - albeit an incomplete one.
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I feel pretty confident that no one at Lucasfilm reads these things, only if they did, yous are loved and I hope the experiences of the last few years with the fandom haven't scared you away from this work that you so plain dearest. I really do promise it gets better. I all the same honey Star Wars and then many other people do, too, even if some stories here and there make me pitiful or confused. :)
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THE Expert: the artwork we go is breathtaking. As ever, the folks at Lucasfilm are immensely talented artists, and they have done really astonishing work during the whole pre-production and production phases of Episode IX. It'due south really fascinating to read about the whole procedure of making the movie; the different ideas they were discussing, and yep, even some of the scenes they concluded upward actually SHOOTING and and then discarding. I actually wanna see
Yup, some other Star Wars book I have mixed feelings nigh.THE Skilful: the artwork we get is breathtaking. As always, the folks at Lucasfilm are immensely talented artists, and they have washed really amazing work during the whole pre-production and production phases of Episode IX. Information technology's actually fascinating to read well-nigh the whole process of making the movie; the unlike ideas they were discussing, and aye, even some of the scenes they ended up actually SHOOTING and so discarding. I really wanna run across the scene betwixt the Oracle and Kylo Ren in Mustafar, for example!
THE BAD: Unfortunately, 'The Fine art of The Rise of the Skywalker' likewise manages to testify how rushed was this movie. The script kept irresolute all the fourth dimension (even while shooting!), and some of the ideas they discussed really sound more intriguing and visually compelling than the ones that appeared in the movie. Like Kylo going to an abased Coruscant and to a secret place in the Jedi Temple! Or the final duel taking place in an flooded Death Star hangar! Add to that the fact that the volume contains Zero related to Exegol, Palpatine or the bodily last act of the picture (salvage a couple of drawings), and the overall experience or reading it feels... incomplete.
CONCLUSION: I really don't understand why the release of this book was pushed dorsum, if they weren't gonna include whatsoever spoilers for the moving-picture show anyway. What we *exercise* become is amazing, but at that place's so much missing content, that I can't help feeling we're gonna become double-dipped, eventually. A pity.
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Every bit with the previous art-book, The Art of The Ascension of Skywalker is full of beautiful illustrations from LucasFilm'south and Industrial Light and Magic'south production team, which are often accompanied with some damning quotes almost particular characters (they really weren't interested in developing John Boyega's Finn in the least, and the idea that they weren't even going to evolve his character design at first rather speaks volumes).
Commentary about the development of the story is brief and often never specially illuminating, but the idea that they even conceptually had far meliorate ideas than what they chose to settle on within the absurd three months they were left to produce a film Disney wanted released for December 2019, rather puts a pin on just how awful rushing to make films without a plan actually was in the long run.
What a waste of everyone's time.
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I was surprised that there was no concept art of (view spoiler)[Palpatine (hide spoiler)].
An incredible amoun
A collection of concept art (sketches and computer models) from The Ascent of Skywalker, featuring buildings, vehicles, characters, creatures, droids, and planets. At that place are brief explanations and behind-the-scenes details on the artistic side of the flick-making process, but not as much as another Fine art of Star Wars books, unfortunately. There are many dandy art pieces, simply not much text.I was surprised that at that place was no concept fine art of (view spoiler)[Palpatine (hide spoiler)].
An incredible amount of the art was unused because so many changes were made to the story. Information technology's clear they made up much of the story as they went.
I was surprised by the number of practical (physical) aliens and settings; I assumed almost all would be CGI.
Notes Afterward Return of the Jedi, Leia worked hard to rebuild Commonwealth, but was discredited when information technology was revealed that she was Vader'due south daughter. In one version of the story, Kylo was going to go "to a desolate, ash-covered Coruscant, the once-bustling city now overrun by giant wolves" and get to the deepest levels of "the abandoned Jedi Temple."
(view spoiler)[
Almost wayfinder: "We're not saying it's a holocron, but it has the linguistic communication of 1. It's in the same family and information technology'due south holding data."
(hide spoiler)]
Rightfully so, in all probability - the book is a celebration of the visual artists who take poured themselves into the film, and non a postmortem on its (relative) success or failure. The array of artwork that has been chosen hither is good, the imagery is sharp and the layout is easy to absorb. If you are squarely opposed to the film, you will probable come up away in much the same frame of mind, just if you just want to soak in a fleck of creative visual exploration of the cinematic world, this is an effective volume - fifty-fifty if it does withhold some of the (supposed?) spoilers with regard to the return of Palpatine, and the globe of Exegol.
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The biggest pro here is that it is Star Wars concept art which definitely makes information technology worth a expect no matter what.
The biggest con is there are several could-have-beens that are oh so much better than what we got. It often feels similar a checklist of bad choices to me.
Every bit is the instance with all of the fine art books in the age of Disney Star Wars, at that place is very fiddling real behind the scenes info (Why ignore all of the
Allow'due south just say that Rising of Skywalker is not my favorite Star Wars film and leave it at that.The biggest pro here is that information technology is Star Wars concept art which definitely makes it worth a expect no matter what.
The biggest con is at that place are several could-accept-beens that are oh so much better than what we got. Information technology often feels like a checklist of bad choices to me.
As is the example with all of the art books in the age of Disney Star Wars, there is very little real behind the scenes info (Why ignore all of the amazing concept fine art for Trevorrow'due south version of the film that has been leaking lately?) and that is disappointing in comparison to the openness of the former Lucasfilm (the prequel making and fine art of books are freaking fantastic regardless of how one might view the films...).
It is what information technology is, and my dislike of TROS aside, Star Wars art is e'er fun to expect at.
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On a pos
The joy of every new Star Wars film release is, other than the films themselves, these Art of... books. This one was delayed months subsequently the release, was looking forward to some spoiler content, but major plot points like the Emperor are ignored. Rise of Skywalker had a problematic production, with the previous managing director let go. There has been leaked art piece of work from the previous iteration of Episode 9, none of which makes the volume. The production is glossed over equally all sunshine and roses.On a positive note, the artwork is still boggling and is a delight to run across the creative process evolve.
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It was great to receive a timeline of events for idea generation, to when what scenes were filmed, and then the editing process. And to realize that Solo: A Star Wars Story had even so been finalized before work on The Rise of Skywalker was being idea and brought into existence. Likewise every bit, learning when John Favreau and Dave Filoni pitche
The artwork by all the artist who came up with site locations, costume and creature ideas, and drew out storyboards is phenomenal! The imagination is boundless!It was great to receive a timeline of events for idea generation, to when what scenes were filmed, so the editing procedure. And to realize that Solo: A Star Wars Story had still been finalized before work on The Ascent of Skywalker was beingness idea and brought into existence. Besides as, learning when John Favreau and Dave Filoni pitched their idea for The Mandalorian show.
There were many who put a lot of effort into bringing the 9th film to fruition!
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I've really enjoyed reading these books from the previous 2 movies. I even had the Empire Strikes Back one from when I was a kid.
Information technology always makes me experience like I could have taken a different path and helped create this Star Wars universe. Oh well.
At that place is a lot left out regarding the Emperor in hither. Non certain why. I know in the previous books they held back on a few things because of spoilers, but since this volume was releas
Another fantastic concept fine art book. So many images used and some tossed.I've really enjoyed reading these books from the previous 2 movies. I even had the Empire Strikes Dorsum ane from when I was a child.
It ever makes me feel like I could have taken a unlike path and helped create this Star Wars universe. Oh well.
In that location is a lot left out regarding the Emperor in here. Non sure why. I know in the previous books they held back on a few things because of spoilers, merely since this volume was released 5 months later the picture release, I figure they wouldn't have to worry near information technology.
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While it feels like there is certainly a direction that concept art went with a supposed "oracle" going on and what TROS ended up going, it was however pleasing to see all the work that went into these pages.
I retrieve this next to TFA artbook might exist my favorite, just for the sheer vision that's in the art, although this one does take some of the most compelling scenes from TLJ, because they couldn't spoil the motion picture through the last artbook'due south publication.
Either way, I really enjoyed th
Solid volume.While it feels similar there is certainly a direction that concept fine art went with a supposed "oracle" going on and what TROS ended upwards going, it was still pleasing to run across all the work that went into these pages.
I think this adjacent to TFA artbook might be my favorite, just for the sheer vision that's in the art, although this 1 does have some of the most compelling scenes from TLJ, because they couldn't spoil the movie through the concluding artbook's publication.
Either way, I really enjoyed the art here.
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A truly secure manager/production company would tell the whole story and recognize the complicated history involved.
Impressive artistry, but the complete erasure of Colin Trevorrow's contribution to the devleopment procedure is petty, insecure, and simulated. There is i excellent folio in which Leia's mythic part in the saga is recognized and discussed (it seems it had to *Dawn* on them instead of being obvious), just otherwise - where is the missing art?A truly secure director/production visitor would tell the whole story and recognize the complicated history involved.
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While this book was just as nice and insightful as the previous "Art of..." books, ane disappointing role of this book is that despite its release being delayed until several months later the movie, there is no concept fine art for the Sith temple or for the return of Palpatine.
Beautiful concept art from the movie.While this book was just every bit squeamish and insightful as the previous "Fine art of..." books, 1 disappointing part of this book is that despite its release being delayed until several months afterwards the movie, there is no concept fine art for the Sith temple or for the return of Palpatine.
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Still, information technology'due south always fun to watch the many iterations of characters new and old. (Why exercise these books take such pocket-size print??) I get not releasing the volume the same day as the movie in order to avoid spoilers (Palpatine!). But then they push button the book back 100 days and... NO PALPATINE anywhere!!
Nonetheless, information technology's always fun to watch the many iterations of characters new and old. (Why practise these books have such small impress??) ...more
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