Published: March 31, 2020
Publisher: Abrams
Author: Phil Szostak
Foreword: Doug Chiang
Format: Hardback with jacket
Pages: 256 with 350 illustrations
RRP: $40 (US), £30 (UK)
Synopsis;
The official behind-the-scenes book of concept, production, and post-production art for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Go inside the creative process behind the most anticipated film of the century. The latest trilogy in the Star Wars film series brings the Skywalker Saga to a close and The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will take readers into the creative process behind visualizing the epic worlds, creatures, characters, costumes, weapons, and vehicles of the landmark conclusion more than 40 years in the making.
The review;
The release was originally delayed by the publisher and then some have struggled to get their copies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But these circumstances bring to mind that some say that good things are worth waiting for; and for me, The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is definitely worth waiting for!
We are treated to dual aspect jacket cover, with a mirror image of Rey and Kylo Ren on the front cover. Then the rear cover of the jacket is an illustration of the Pasaana speeder chase scene. Then when you remove the jacket, it reveals a stunning wrap around image of Rey and Kylo Ren’s duel on the Death Star II. Never judge a book by it’s cover, I’m already sold!
The foreword from Doug Chiang is quite moving in the passion that it emanates from the page. The amount of respect for the legendary Ralph McQuarrie, Colin Cantwell, Joe Johnston and Nilo Rodis-Jamero is plain to see, but it touches on more than that. He talks of his passion and what his role has been over the years. It’s more than just being an artist, it’s about being as much of a visionary as the likes of George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson to bring their ideas to life.
Phil Szostak has been part of the fabric of Lucasfilm since 2008 and this has seen him work on all the sequel trilogy ‘Art of’ books along with stand alone movies Rouge One and Solo. Szostak has a wide and varied role which includes involvement with development of artwork for the comics, animates series, live action series and video games as well as the movies. And he knows how to put these types of books together. He reinforces what is said by Chiang in his introduction.
Page 17 is a bit of call out to the cast of contributors to this book. 84 names reside on this page and it is a veritable who’s who of the movie industry, all of them I consider masters of their craft.
When you get started, we are back in the land of The Last Jedi. A strange place to start you might think, but it isn’t if you have the ‘Art of’ book for that movie. At the end of that book there are some key and crucial areas that were not covered as they were spoilers at the time of release. So, this book recaps those final throes of the movie and brings us up to speed. It is really nice to see the concluding artwork from The Last Jedi here especially some of the work around Luke on Crait. This section is like a prelude, almost like the recap before the next episode in a series.
Then we get to the main feature, and wow, there is so much in here. Illustration after illustration painstakingly explained by the key members of the production team to bring their thoughts and ideas to life. Many of them stuck and made it to screen, many are now archived, but do not be surprised to see some of them turn up elsewhere in another Star Wars project in the future.
It is so difficult to pick any parts of this book that stand out, but that is because with every page turned, everything stands out.
The concept artwork for the Resistance jungle base on Ajan Kloss is simply stunning and so reminiscent of the original McQuarrie and Johnston artwork sets that I own. I would love to see some these reproduced in the large widescreen print formats that we were treated to with the original trilogy.
The type of things that really fascinate me are the little things that you’ll never see on screen, but that attention to detail is there regardless. This book is full of them, but I do have a favourite, the walking cane of Lando Calrissian. The topper of his cane is shaped like his beloved Cloud City on Bespin but is also inscribed in aurebesh along its rim is his name and title; Baron Lando Calrissian. A piece of class for a much-loved character and something I don’t recall on screen. I will be scrutinising and pausing at the right times to try and get a glimpse on my next re-watch.
I do have a slight issue with the book. Unlike its predecessor’s, I felt that there should have been the opportunity to close out, but we are missing the artwork for the final 30 minutes or so of The Rise of Skywalker. Its delayed release had left me hoping that we would get a complete book containing all aspects of the movie. Alas this is not to be, and it is interesting to see how we will get to see the corresponding details.
Please do not let that detract from what is a beautiful book. Abrams always deliver in their literature products; they are always so well presented and of the highest quality and this book is no different. At the price point of £30 ($40), I do feel this book is excellent value for every penny you spend.
This book explores every aspect of the production process for The Rise of Skywalker and delivers a compendium of stunning artwork. It now resides next to all the previous ‘Art of’ books on my shelf, but also with my original McQuarrie and Johnston portfolio’s and does not look out of place.
Availability;
The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker by Phil Szostak was released on March 31, 2020 by Abrams. It is available from Amazon in the UK and US and all good bookstores online and on the high street and has an RRP of $40/£30.
