Most film art books are organized by subject and show the process for a specific character or set location. This book is organized chronologically, and I really like that, because it allows more of the background process to come to the forefront. This book, perhaps more than anything else, shows how important concept art is to the final look of the film. There are a few things I wish were in the book that isn't, and a few things in the book I wish were in the film.

The only downside is how disappointed this made me that The Force Awakens so closely hews to the original Star Wars. That's all in the foundation built on in the first few months. Here's hoping the next art book—and film—is better. ( )

At first glance, this book appears to be filled with nothing more than large, colorful concept art images from the planning of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens”. As it turns out, it has so much more to offer. Author Phil Szostak worked alongside the “Star Wars” art department as a researcher and image archivist from the early days of “The Force Awakens”’ initial planning in 2012 through the end of the film’s production in late 2014. Fans of the franchise will be delighted by the sketches, drawings and computer-generated images that were used to plan everything from planets, character wardrobe, spaceships, vehicles and new alien species. In addition, Szostak takes readers through the evolution of the film’s plot, characters and elaborates on how director J.J. Abrams balanced the series' new additions with its classic elements. Readers are also given an inside look at scrapped story lines and characters that didn’t make the final cut, as well as a few hints at what’s to come in the series’ next installment, “Episode VIII”. An interesting read for even casual "Star Wars" fans. May the Force be with you!

Dan R. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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Great fun quick look through the artwork and conceptual drawings for TFA. Adds something to the movie, though definitely shows how much JJ wanted to favor it looking like ANH (a bit too much plotwise, but artistically its a smart idea). ( )