Star Wars Storyboards: The Original and Prequel Trilogy – Reviews

Storyboards were an incredibly important part of Star Wars history. These drawings helped bring to life the universe even before a single shot had been filmed. And, in the days well before previz technology, they helped Lucas find his vision for the movie. Abrams Books has published the most comprehensive collection of storyboards from The Original Trilogy and The Prequel Trilogy, giving fans and movie lovers the opportunity to see the foundations for the most beloved Saga of all time.

The Original Trilogy

This collection has a forward by director and storyboard artist Joe Johnston, an introduction from storyboard artist Nilo Rodis-Jamero and a preface from the book’s editor J.W. Rinzler. There is commentary on the storyboards throughout the book from Joe Johnston, Nilo Rodis-Jamero, Alex Tavoularis, Paul Huston and David Carson. They help bring to life the storyboards presented on each page as well as give insight to their creative process while drawing.

One of the highlights of The Original Trilogy boards is how they show the imagination of the artist at work. This is before a frame has been shot, so it allowed them to interpret the script strictly from their imagination. It’s fascinating to see how different looks for iconic characters like Darth Vader, Princess Leia, C-3PO and others may have looked. The boards also show the different phases of movie making, as the script changed, so did the storyboards, giving readers an insight into what may have been.

The presentation of the storyboards is magnificent. The transfer of the scans looks incredible. The boards in color from The Empire Strikes Back will make you want art prints that you could put on your wall. This is a book that you’ll want to savor, spending time, digesting each board and the comments from the artists. Even for those that have read or seen things about the making of The Original Trilogy, this book still has things to add, giving readers a fuller understanding of what was and what may have been.

The Prequel Trilogy

This collection has an introduction from storyboard artist Iain McCaig and a preface from J.W. Rinzler. There is commentary for the boards from artists Iain McCaig, Ed Natividad, Benton Jew, Warren Drummond, Rodolfo Damaggio and Derek Thompson.

The Prequel Trilogy is in an interesting place in time. For Episode I, they were still using the storyboards as they had in The Original Trilogy. By the time Episode II and Episode III were in production, digital storyboards and previz had become the mode for imagining a movie so there are not as many traditional, hand drawn storyboards for those films. Regardless, for each film, the boards help bring to life this new era in Star Wars storytelling. With the advent of digital technology, the artists no longer had to limit their imaginations and the boards reflect this new freedom. Since the movie was also to portray the Jedi and Sith in their prime, it allowed the artists to create all new ideas of what their fights and Force powers might look like.

Just like The Original Trilogy book, the presentation for the storyboards is glorious and there are some fun surprises along the way. Even if you have read about the making of The Prequel Trilogy, you just might find out something new (I know I did).

Conclusion

Art has always been important to the Star Wars universe, from the paintings of Ralph McQuarrie to the production sketches of Joe Johnston. Star Wars Storyboards, The Original Trilogy and The Prequel Trilogy books illuminate just how important the work of these artist was in crafting the universe of that galaxy far, far away. If you love Star Wars, these are books you’ll want in your collection, they also make the perfect gifts for the fan in your life. Each book is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This review was completed using a copy of Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy and Star Wars Storyboards: The Prequel Trilogy provided by Abrams Books.

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