Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of Planet of the Apes: The Art of the Films

This large format (12” x 11”) hardcover book is a behind-the-scenes companion to the newest films from the Planet of the Apes franchise. It has two main parts—one for each movie—which are divided into chapters showcasing various locations, characters, and key scenes, all in chronological order of the overall story arc. A foreword by director Matt Reeves, as well as text interspersed with film stills and concept art, explain the production of these films, including the fusion of CGI with live actors in hand-built sets. The book also contains diagrams, movie posters, and notes on language.

The balanced combination of text and visuals in this coffee table book will both educate and entertain anyone who picks it up, especially those with a penchant for movie magic. It communicates quite well the specialized creativity that genre epics involve, especially by comparing original concept art and performance capture with actual film stills. Of particular interest to San Francisco residents are digital composites that feature local landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, the emphasis is on sets and not on character design nor on the illustrators themselves. Nevertheless, this souvenir for fans might serve equally well as a tool for student filmmakers and aspiring special effects artists.