Author: Peter Aperlo
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Titan Books
Released: February 10, 2009
Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars
“Watchmen” is a very visual film and it is a film that is perfect to have an art book made for it. Especially since the film is already based on a graphic novel, it just had that comic feel to it. Being a fan of the movie and the graphic novel…this is a dream come true. I have looked over this book numerous times and I still do not feel that I have covered everything in it. I think that is the kind of book I would want to own and add to my collection. The book really adds to the visual aspect of the film and its content.
“Watchmen: The Art of the Film” is broken down into seven parts focusing on Concept Art, Sets, Props, the Owlship, Costumes and Posters. The introduction allow is almost over 20 pages with amazing visuals setting the standard high for the rest of the book. The concept art includes over 60 pages of amazing artwork and references the films storyboards, the graphic novel and also dramatizations never before seen from the film itself. The next section focuses on the film’s sets, which was a really highlight for me personally. They created a world within the film which felt like it was right off the page of the graphic novel. You miss all of the little details that went into this film and this book really showcases that well. The props section is just a very colorful and busy section of the cool shit in the film like gadgets, toys and advertisements. The Owlship has a section of its own that is how cool it is. It goes into great detail for the creation of this amazing vehicle. The costumes in the film are so fantastic and should have been won an award for their uniqueness and complex works of art. The section includes various wardrobes and outfits created for each of the films characters. The last section includes various poster designs from the films featuring each character and other visual creations.
Overall if you have seen this movie, it is guaranteed that you are going to want this book to accompany the film. Or visa-versa, if you haven’t seen this film yet and you checked out this book, it is going to guaranteed make to watch this movie immediately. Like I said earlier, this is just the kind of film that you look forward to checking out the art from it. I wish there were more films like this. It is visually daring and is not afraid to be different and this is the person companion.
