The Art of Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Rating:
Summary: Product of many sleepless nights?
Review: We can see the influence of Ralph McQuarrie, the artist most responsible for creating the "look" of the original Star Wars, in Doug Chiang's acrylic production paintings, from the use of color to the brush strokes to the dramatic perspectives. Doug Chiang didn't just take the baton from McQuarrie--he ran with it like crazy. This is a beautifully produced book which brings the Art Department of Episode One to the forefront. Organized by the locations of the movie--Naboo, Tatooine, Coruscant and the Trade Federation--this Star Wars book stresses illustrations and paintings over screen shots from the finished movie and prop photos. Those wanting to see close ups of Qui-Gon's light saber will have to look elsewhere. In that sense it is the Art Department's book rather than ILM's. That may disappoint those out there who want to see the "finished product" more than the "process of creation." But for aspiring artists and designers, this book is will serve as an inspiration. It also shows the amount of work that's necessary to become a professional in this field. Judging by the sheer volume of sketches and paintings represented by this book, it looks like Chiang didn't get much sleep during his years working at Skywalker Ranch on this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Product of many sleepless nights?
Review: We can see the influence of Ralph McQuarrie, the artist most responsible for creating the "look" of the original Star Wars, in Doug Chiang's acrylic production paintings, from the use of color to the brush strokes to the dramatic perspectives. Doug Chiang didn't just take the baton from McQuarrie--he ran with it like crazy. This is a beautifully produced book which brings the Art Department of Episode One to the forefront. Organized by the locations of the movie--Naboo, Tatooine, Coruscant and the Trade Federation--this Star Wars book stresses illustrations and paintings over screen shots from the finished movie and prop photos. Those wanting to see close ups of Qui-Gon's light saber will have to look elsewhere. In that sense it is the Art Department's book rather than ILM's. That may disappoint those out there who want to see the "finished product" more than the "process of creation." But for aspiring artists and designers, this book is will serve as an inspiration. It also shows the amount of work that's necessary to become a professional in this field. Judging by the sheer volume of sketches and paintings represented by this book, it looks like Chiang didn't get much sleep during his years working at Skywalker Ranch on this movie.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Artbook I`ve ever seen!
Review: Well,I am a great fan of the SW movies as I own them all and have watched them a couple of time,knowing the names of nearly every character and creature that appears.
But if you`re a real fan,you shan`t just watch the movies. And if you want to see how it all began,then this book is a must have!Concept art of every character and creature appears in this book,along with comments by the artists,mostly Iain MacCaig,Doug Chiang and Terryl Whitlatch. NOTE: if you`re not familiar with the characters of the film,then this review can be hard to understand.
My friend owns all the art of books for the old films. And yes,they are very fine too,and includes the screenplay,but the artists for them are not as talented as these. Of course,the numerous sketches of the queen`s costumes are splendid,as well as the sketches of Obi-Wan & Qui-Gon,which helps me drawing better people sometimes,but these are not the real highlights of the book. The real highlights are the sketches of Naboo`s and Tatooine`s forest/desert habitats and their inhabitants.
Many of the creatures here did never made it into the film,as the giant armadillos of Tatooine and the birds of Naboo. They must have been inspired by real animals when creating them,and they really look fantastic. Now I can create own fantasy animal worlds based on these pictures,although I have not done that yet.
Another highlight is the numerous sketches & paintings of Jar-Jar Binks. Nearly all the artists had to collaborate to make a good,goofy character. He even looks like Donald Duck some times!This might be the best example of a character`s development. In fact,I think that Anakin Skywalker looks better on these sketches than in the final film. And so does Boss Nass too!
There is one more development example worth to mention. And that is Darth Maul,the best Star Wars villain!
In fact,he began as a witch,but that was too frightening,so they changed him into various knight forms,before the final red/black tatooed face came in.
Over all,this is a very great and inspiring art book and could be recommended as a great gift for anyone interested in Star Wars,storyboard art or just sci-fi art as it is.

Rating:
Summary: Appearances can be deceiving
Review: When I first picked up this book while browsing through a local bookstore, I quickly skimmed through it and thought "Wow! This looks like an interesting book. I think I might buy it." I did, of course, but when I sat down at home and began to go through it page by page I realized that "interesting" was a huge understatement. Although The Phantom Menace was plagued by Jar Jar Binks, The Art Of Episode 1 was like rigging the lottery (not that I've ever rigged the lottery). This book, with its astonishing illustrations and the informative backstories to those pictures, was so good that I had to keep myself from drooling over it. The art department of Episode 1 is truly a talented group of people, and their long-toiled work comes together in this presentation of visual wonder. It's a must-get for art fans, and likewise for those who have always craved for more out of The Phantom Menace, more than even the DVD could provide. It just goes to show that you really can't judge a book by its cover.

Rating:
Summary: This give us preview of Episode II!!!
Review: Wow what a book! filled with surprises, unique arts. It knocked me out especially seeing several concept arts for epsidoe II. I'd better brace myself for upcoming episode II!!! These arts are beyond my expections!

Good book, recommend!