A review by discocrow
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Art of the Film, by Dermot Power
5.0
This is a truly gorgeous book.
The book, as it states, is a collection of the concept art behind Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. While the previous books I read focused primarily upon costume design, prop design, and the way the sets were built this book focused upon the actual creation of the pieces before they were brought to life by various departments. The fact the art was computer made in no way diminished its beauty - and man, was it beautiful.
From the architectural designs of 1920s New York City, and the buildings and speakeasies within, to the inside of Newt's case, wand design, and the creation of the beasts themselves (not least of which the Obscurus) the artwork is gorgeous. Small asides from the artists explain the reasoning behind the choices they made, and the Beast section is truly fascinating for all of that. The focus upon functionality behind the beasts, as well as making them believable rather than magic, was incredible to watch in the sketches.
This is a great book, and a beautiful one. Any fan should take a glimpse of it at least once. Even if you aren't a fan, if you like animals the Beast section is worth looking through. Like the medieval bestiaries, it's a fascinating study in how strangely things can be pieced together.
The book, as it states, is a collection of the concept art behind Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. While the previous books I read focused primarily upon costume design, prop design, and the way the sets were built this book focused upon the actual creation of the pieces before they were brought to life by various departments. The fact the art was computer made in no way diminished its beauty - and man, was it beautiful.
From the architectural designs of 1920s New York City, and the buildings and speakeasies within, to the inside of Newt's case, wand design, and the creation of the beasts themselves (not least of which the Obscurus) the artwork is gorgeous. Small asides from the artists explain the reasoning behind the choices they made, and the Beast section is truly fascinating for all of that. The focus upon functionality behind the beasts, as well as making them believable rather than magic, was incredible to watch in the sketches.
This is a great book, and a beautiful one. Any fan should take a glimpse of it at least once. Even if you aren't a fan, if you like animals the Beast section is worth looking through. Like the medieval bestiaries, it's a fascinating study in how strangely things can be pieced together.