BOOK REVIEW:
After
all the dust has settled and after all the millions of greenback
earned worldwide and after all the mixed reviews, we finally
get to review this book called “The Art of Cars”.
While
it’s weird to revisit one of last year’s summer
blockbuster animations, it’s a fitting case of rather
be late than never.
Inspired
by his road trip after taking a long sabbatical accompanying
his family, “Cars” is the brainchild of director
John Lasseter. A tale of discovering that life is more about
the journey than the finishing line in a world inhibited by
talking cars with none a single human in sight.
Even
with so many animation houses being setup along the way, Pixar
is still the leading animation house since “Toy Story”
and “A Bug’s Life” beating even the once
great animation pioneer Disney (although they have since merged
into one company after a long battle).
Pixar’s
success can be attribute to its attentiveness to both its
stories and animation techniques. If you have been an avid
follower of Pixar, you wouldn’t have missed their book
series. Otherwise for example in this book, you get to flip
over pages of gorgeous drawings, conceptual artworks and learn
how the Pixar team went into long road trips to experience
and gather research for the story.
At
least for the viewers like you and me, the misconception of
animations being created in confined studios is dispelled.
After putting down this fantastic-looking artbook, you might
have a tingling desire to follow Lightning McQueen’s
journey to Radiator Springs once again.
CHOICE XCERPT:
A tribute to Joe Ranft, Head of Story at Pixar who died of
a car accident in 2005 before the completion of the movie.
"In Galena, Kansas, we found a lonely old tow truck that
most folks would pass by without a second glance. Our Head
of Story Joe Ranft however saw beyond it's rust and broken-down
parts- he saw the inspiration for the character Mater. They
soon became kindered spirits. Joe gave Mater his warmth, his
sense of fun, his humble and generous spirit and his capacity
to see-and bring out-the best in others.
There's a piece of Joe in every movie Pixar has ever made.
But Joe was truly the heart of Cars."
Sob...
VERDICT:
The
perfect choice of gift for the inspiring digital artistes.
Even without the flair for arts, you
will still fall in love with the digital drawings and conceptual
art-pieces created by the talented team at Pixar.
Review
by Linus Tee
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