Rating: 
Summary: This Is More Like It...
Review: I just picked up "The Art of Episode 2" a couple of days ago and I have to tell you I am once again excited about the SW saga. Like a lot of people who grew up with the original trilogy, I found "Episode I" disappointing not only thematically but aesthetically as well. I know it was a prequel, but shiny canary-yellow starfighters and floppy, clumsy Gungans seemed like a betrayal of the design motif that helped make "Star Wars" compelling. Now, without commenting on the plot, it is obvious that "Episode II" will see the start of the SW universe's evolution into the battered, gritty, "lived-in" worlds that are fantastic yet somehow relatable. Here are the evolution of a host of new characters, creatures, and vehicles, as well as two entirely new worlds (three if you count Coruscant, too briefly seen in "Episode I.")If this visual feast is any indication, "Episode II" will be an exhilarating return to the galaxy Star Wars fans fell in love with in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Art-of Star Wars yet...
Review: I really loved the Art of Episode I when it was released in late 1999, and didn't think it could get any better than that, but well, it has. The Art of Episode II is a masterpiece, by far the best movie production art book I've ever seen. It was nice to see so much work included by the new artists at the Attic at Skywalker Ranch: there is some classy work in this book. This is definitely not only for Star Wars fans: anyone who loves art should have this book, for that is what is on display in it's 224 pages: art of the highest caliber. There are a startling amount of digital production paintings in the book, paintings that are every bit as artistic and moody as more traditionally rendered art. These intense, moody paintings are offset by slick sketches of vehicles, creatures, anything you can imagine. If the movie itself is half as good as this book suggests it may be, it will be a winner.
Rating:
Summary: I Wish I had a Witty Title, but I Don't...
Review: I was hyped up for Episode 1 only to be let down by one 3-worded mistake: Jar Jar Binks. Of course, if you've read my review for The Art of Episode 1, the you know that I still thought well of that book, despite certain Gungan monstrosities. The Art of Episode 2 proves that the Stars Wars films are like leftovers from dinner, they just taste better and better. Aside from showing the reader sketches of returning locations (Such as Tatootine, Naboo, and Coruscant), it also expands on these locations by showing us things like Coruscant's lower levels, and new areas of Naboo. Added to this is artwork for two new planets in the Star Wars universe: the dry and desolate Geonosis and the watery and storm-shrouded Kamino. Also there are sketches of a certain army cloned from a certain bounty hunter whose son captured a certain Han Solo. If you're a Star Wars addict then get this book as soon as humanly possible because the only Art of Star Wars book better than this will probably be The Art of Episode 3.
Rating:
Summary: Great look at the developmental process
Review: I've enjoyed all of the art of star wars books. If you are a film fan, artist or designer you'll love this book. It shows all of the conceptual art that occured during the preproduction phase of the movie development, and some of the artists talk about why they created the designs that they did. The layout of the book starts from the first scenes and moves toward the ending with the big battle scenes. I really enjoyed was the conceptual paintings of the final battle. The paintings were very similar to the battle scenes in the movie. The art ranges from quick sketches to vibrant production paintings. The book also shows some of the preproduction maquettes/models of some of the characters which are quite impressive. Another great point is that this book also has the film script whcih has some deleted scenes which is a real treat. Anyways If you enjoy looking at the behind the scenes of movie making and can appreciate the art that goes into making the star wars movies you should pick this book up.
Rating: 
Summary: This book misses McQuarrie
Review: It misses him so much, I knocked it down three stars. Chiang did such a good job on the Episode I art, and in this one he appeared sloppy and rushed. I love the art of the star wars universe. And the best works are those "90% there, it's almost what the movie will look like" paintings by Ralph McQuarrie. And this collection had not one painting like that. I think the other reason I was underimpressed with this art was that the Original trilogy art really projected a pure creative pulling stuff out of thin air type art. THis art is less inspired and more forced. Almost a rationale "fill in the gaps" of how things would look between episode 1 and 4. However, the one bright part of the book is the conceptual art regarding what the Sith Lord of Episode II would look like. I am so sorry they didn't go with any of the concepts (with the exception of the curved lightsaber). These were AWESOME designs, That and the script gain back a star. 5 - 3 + 1= 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Review: It's always interesting to look at the conceptual design for Star Wars films, and this book offers plenty of sketches and designs and character studies-as well as full production notes and tons more info. Like Phantom Menace, The Art of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones has so many original concepts and fascinating notes on design, it's wealth of informative stuff makes you think about the effort that goes into making these films. Essential.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful concept art for great SW movie
Review: Just like it's awesome predecessor for Episode 1, 'The Art of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones' really delivers the goods, presenting the beautiful concept art for the film. All in a nice hardcover book, it makes a great looking collectable for the shelf. It's fun for the fan to see all the concepts that didn't make it into the final film, as much as it is to see those that did.
Rating: 
Summary: Bright Lights, Small Type
Review: Nice art.
Small text and caption numbers.
Read in bright light.
Nice tie-in of illustrations to screenplay that may be missed by some. It's pretty subtle.
Result: Though the book is poorly designed, the illustrations are beautiful making The Art of Star Wars The Attack of the Clones a must for any Star Wars and Sci Fi movie fan.
Rating:
Summary: Another great Star Wars book!
Review: One of the best of the AOTC companion books, The Art of Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones (written by Mark Cotta Vaz) is a fascinating book, including many different faecets of production design and artwork. These boks give an interesting insight to the huge effort that goes into Star Wars films, with many visualisations that never made it to the screen, and poster art by Star Wars veteran Drew Struzan. The best part is, you get the entire screenplay, including all the deleted scenes and dialouge. The provided info on the entire evolution of production artwork, to models to visual design and then to film is endlessly fascinating, with a wealth of amazing sketches and design artwork.
Rating:
Summary: Attack of the Clones Art Book Strikes Chords
Review: One of the saddest things about seeing the Star Wars prequels taking such a drubbing from critics and fans is knowing how hard the artists and designers work to make these movies go from concept to the finished film. I admit it; I am one of those rare fans who apparently enjoyed Episodes I and II, and I owned this book several weeks before Attack of the Clones was released in May 2002. The book is beautifully designed and Mark Cotta Vaz's accompanying text to the conceptual art is authoritative yet accesible even to younger readers. The many designs -- even those not used in the movie -- evoke memories of the earlier trilogy's Art of...series, and one can see the "evolution" of the many ship and costume designs to what fans call Classic Star Wars. (To me, the most interesting "fact" is that Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter's lines will be echoed in the evil Empire's Imperial Star Destroyer.) The screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathan Hales (who also wrote the story for The Scorpion King) is included. It is the complete "before edits were made to the film" draft, which allows readers to catch glimpses of Padme Amidala's family and other scenes that were filmed but later deleted. (Those scenes are included on the extra features disc of the Episode II DVD set, but some fans may only have the VHS version instead.) For Star Wars fans and film art aficionados, this book is definitely a keeper.
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