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Smaug: Unleashing The Dragon (2014)

by Daniel Falconer(Favorite Author)

4.42 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0007525788 (ISBN13: 9780007525782)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

HarperCollins

review 1: Being a fan of the Hobbit movies and also a fan of fantasy art, especially relating to those taken from the movies that inspired their creation, I knew that this series was going to be a must in my collection. Smaug Unleashing the Dragon is the fourth book in the Hobbit Chronicles series which showcase the art, concept, and steps to get to what ultimately we end up seeing in the movies; while also including the artists input on how they created, what can only be described as, true and magnificent art. Benedict Cumberbatch, the voice of Smaug, has also voiced his ideas and interpretations about playing his role throughout the book. Smaug, like the books before, contains fantastic artwork all centered on the dragon who has become iconic in literature and pop culture. He real... morely does need his own book. In the middle of the book is also an outstanding foldout rendering of Smaug and Bilbo inside the treasure hall. It is almost frame-able if not for the fact that it is attached to the book. I cannot wait for the next in the series and also wonder if the third installment of the Hobbit will also have two more volumes. This book is both enjoyable to anyone who has fallen in love with the movies and Middle-earth in itself and also to anyone who has a deep appreciation and fascination for fantasy art. Smaug Unleashing the Dragon doubles both as a movie memorabilia and a standalone dragon art book.
review 2: A look into the collected process of bringing this grand firebreather together for the big screen. So much detail and collaboration is mentioned in this art book. The concept art of John Howe's really shows how Smaug started with various, different forms. One even looks a little equine, mixed with monitor lizard in one drawing. Examples being that the dragon started out with the classic four legs, and a more ferret form body. It later progressed through muscular adaptations to a more sinuous wyvern (a 2-legged, winged drake). John Howe's concept art really show where the dragon changed over time to make him still very anatomical to be believable. Andrew Baker, Jamie Beswarick, and several others went through an extensive process to bring out a convincing and performance-driven character. Even Mr. Cumberbatch, who provided the voice and motion capture, talked about his history and personal take on Smaug. I can't wait to see how this colossal dragon performs in the next movie now with so many other elements going on around him. less

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