OUT NOW IN THE UK: 'THE MOVIEMAKING MAGIC OF STAR WARS: SHIPS + BATTLES'

Following on from the success of their 2018 released examination of the saga's beloved creatures and aliens, Abrams Books for Young Readers releases the second of its highly-detailed, visually immersive Cinemagic books devoted to The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars, this time focusing on the many ingenious and iconic Ships + Battles across the franchise's entire filmic landscape. New to the range author Landry Walker goes to town charting the incredible and inspiring behind the scenes developments and landmarks that would change the face of cinema and pop culture history forever, alongside many very rare images, storyboards and art pieces from the Lucasfilm Archive that are effectively showcased. The detailed tome even gets to include a brief, picture-focused sneak-peek at some memorable moments from the newly-released The Rise of Skywalker.

Here's the official book blurb:

Go behind the scenes on the Journey to The Rise of Skywalker in this interactive book to see how favorite vehicles from the Millennium Falcon to Imperial AT-ATs were created and used in legendary scenes like the Battles of Endor and Hoth

Go behind the scenes of the biggest movie franchise of all time in this immersive and interactive book to see how the most iconic vehicles in the galaxy from the Millennium Falcon to X-Wings and TIE fighters to AT-ATs and the Death Star were created and used in the films of the Star Wars saga. This collectible book includes special interactive elements, including six-page booklets, accordion folds, and flaps that reveal the magic behind the movies with concept sketches, molds, digital imagery and more! Plus, get a sneak peak at some of the vehicles from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!

Get The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars: Ships + Battles here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moviemaking-Magic-Star-Wars-Battles/dp/1419736337/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=star+wars+ships+and+battles&qid=1577547929&sr=8-1

Also available: The Moviemaking Magic of Star Wars: Creatures + Aliens:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moviemaking-Magic-Star-Wars-Creatures/dp/1419728199/ref=sr_1_1?crid=264OHIP15PJT3&keywords=moviemaking+magic+of+star+wars+creatures+%26+aliens&qid=1577884217&sprefix=moviemaking+magic+of+star+wars%2Caps%2C350&sr=8-1

EPISODE IX: 'THEY FLY NOW!'

Our on-a-quest young heroes face dedicated pursuit across the Pasaana landscape by high-speed, high-flying First Order forces, as seen in the penultimate art piece from Dan Mumford celebrating the IMAX/AMC cinematic release of The Rise of Skywalker.

Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWDPjVT51Q0 

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'THE RISE OF SKYWALKER' - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

Forty-three years ago this month, the accomplished American composer John Williams began conducting the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra at Anvil Studios, Denham for the original scoring/recording sessions for what was then known as the singular Star Wars, from which an amazing, rousing and iconic set of emergent musical themes would soon be unleashed into the world by the following Summer. The grim realist movies of the early to mid-seventies had seen the loss of the great musical scores, but Star Wars would redress the balance- and then some! This was the music score that generations of people had been subconsciously waiting to listen to and enjoy all their lives, as millions of fans celebrated the glorious movie's soaring spirit with the must-have purchase of its resultant two-disc record set. A legend, and a franchise, was born. Now, in December 2019, after his further work on seven previous highly-successful sequels, Williams returns to 'a galaxy far, far away...' one final time, for the last epic journey/adventure of the Skywalker saga. And the listening results of this new contribution are simply splendid, as The Rise of Skywalker debuts in CD and online form from Walt Disney Records this December 20th, 2019.

Sequel Trilogy characters old and new bring closure to the nine-film saga.

Wrapping up the saga more efficiently than the overall highly satisfying movie to which its work is such a symbiotic part, Williams mastery of composing and his clear love of the universe created by George Lucas shines through with every track - his musical verve having been magnificently reawakened with the arrival of the sequels from 2015. All of the rich themes of love, passion, inner and outer adventure, foreshadowed eerieness and thrilling battles he has lyrically created are encapsulated perfectly within EPISODE IX, notably in tracks like The Old Death Star and Approaching the Throne, with its ominous stirrings of the Dark Side of the Force, counterbalanced by the memories of its light and good side champions, especially brother and sister Jedi Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, in Destiny of a Jedi, We Go Together and A New Home. Of the sequel trilogy, the haunting theme for the lone heroine Rey continues to be used for both courage and darkness, whilst the operatic composition for galactic brat Kylo Ren takes on extra nuances, especially by the film's important game-changing finale - The Force Is With You. But despite the important, mythic grandeur there's also some fun, jaunty new tracks to make the most of, as Williams highlights the overall zippy nature of the film, especially during its first half (notably for The Speeder Chase and Fleeing from Kijimi).The all-new highlight for the film and the overall soundtrack must, however, be the genuinely emotional main theme - The Rise of Skywalker, which will bring tears to the eyes when you hear it/see it in relation to the arc completing heroism onscreen (and the way it concludes the overall nine-film arc), as well as in its separate soundtrack existence.

John Williams, bringing the musical magic with him.

So now the saga is complete. And so too is John Williams' musical odyssey for it - a richly diverse and rewarding listening experience that will never die, for which we can all collectively, deservedly applaud his incredible, unbeatable contribution as the genuine emotional heart and centre of Star Wars. A forty-three year generational tapestry from an incredible, nuanced talent whose work will always bring out the adventurous, romantic spirit stirring deep inside us...

AFICIONADO RATING: Thank you, John Williams! 4 out of 5

Get the score here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Skywalker-John-Williams/dp/B082BXFMGH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39FM47BNZKAV4&keywords=the+rise+of+skywalker+soundtrack+cd&qid=1577966480&sprefix=the+rise+of+skywalker+soundtr%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-1

Williams talks EPISODE IX:

https://variety.com/2019/artisans/production/john-williams-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-1203446034/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWY1DmM3JMk

EPISODE IX: THEIR FINAL CONFRONTATION....

It's had very little release fanfare, but the second of Dan Mumford's great art pieces celebrating The Rise of Skywalker in IMAX/AMC cinemas worldwide has now arrived online, and its another gem, showcasing the against-the-odds rush of the Resistance fighter squadrons against the overwhelming combination of the First and Final Order Imperial forces near Exagol...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! (2019)

Rolling into Christmas with full seasonal aplomb, our loveable astro droid friend BB-8 is the life and soul of the party and the sequel trilogy, in this memorable festive art by Sabrina RG Raven.

Check out her site here: https://sabrinargraven.storenvy.com/

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! and A PROSPEROUS 2020 to all STAR WARS AFICIONADO readers worldwide! 

EPISODE IX: THE AFICIONADO VERDICT

The recently released US IMAX poster for EPISODE IX. Art by Paul Shipper. All images: Lucasfilm/Disney.

POTENTIAL VERY MILD SPOILERS AHEAD...

Thrilling and superbly executed for the most part, The Rise of Skywalker is a very satisfying conclusion not only to the new sequel trilogy but most of the iconic saga that preceeded it. The film gets off to a great start with an exciting scene-setting title crawl and the genuinely creepy haunted house-like return of the Nosferatu-esque Palpatine, once more superbly played - with some new character facets - by Ian McDiarmid. On the other side of the galaxy, the Resistance responds, as our three main heroes and buddies - Rey, Finn and Poe, finally reunited and sparring well together, react to Palpatine's seemingly omnipotent return, getting started on an epic adventure to stop the Empire and First Order over a wide range of new planets, whilst also picking up lots of new help along the way- both capable (Naomi Ackie's Jannah and Kerri Russell as Zorri Bliss) and cute (the hilarious miniature technician Babu Frik). It's great to see John Boyega get more of the heroics pie this time out as Resistance hero Finn, whilst the arc for Daisy Ridley's Rey is well thought out and successfully closed in many ways.

The gang's all here.

And Lando's back too!

The return of the saga's legacy characters is equally well handled- the use of deleted footage of the the late Carrie Fisher proves remarkably integrated into the film, whilst Billy Dee Williams returns to Lando as if putting back on a familiar pair of comfortable shows- it's really great to see him. Special plaudits to for Anthony Daniels as Threepio, who has some great dialogue, despite his character (alongside Artoo) still not having enough to do in the story telling. Joonas Suotamo delivers a performance as the mighty Chewbacca that's a wonderful tribute to the late Peter Mayhew. Plus, a few surprise returning characters make great cameo appearances that will have audiences cheering with delight.

Adam Driver impresses as Kylo Ren, notably in the film's first half.

As for Rey's nemesis, in dark side 'monster' Kylo Ren, Adam Driver continues to deliver a complex and satisfying character turn- his scenes with Daisy Ridley as electric as ever. But how his arc ultimately turns out will likely prove debatable with fans for years to come. In support, Richard E. Grant figures well in the film as the First Order's thinly-sketched but capable and sneery baddie Allegiant General Pryde, whilst Domnhall Gleeson has a couple of great laugh-out moments as General Hux.

The spirited and emotional adventure continues...

Chris Terrio and J.J. Abrams build on what was established with The Force Awakens, and build on, yet cleverly side stepping at the same time, many of this issues that had been a thorn in the side to fans with The Last Jedi. With such an ambitious journey, a few loose ends and the odd not fully explained sequence loiter expectantly here and there, too. As for the ending... prepare for action and danger, joy and tears- one sequence in particular certainly had me leaking cheek water thanks to the marvellous and emotional performance of one specific actor. You will need a hankie or two, so be ready.

The Resistance makes its last stand.

Its time has come - buckle up and get ready for the (supposed) end of the Skywalker saga. Though the Sequel Trilogy will never equal the incredible accomplishments made by George Lucas with the Original Trilogy, and there is a sense here of mild fan/box office pandering in critical storytelling decisions, EPISODE IX is certainly deserving of your time and hard-earned money, requiring at least two or three viewings to take in the hugeness of it all. May the Force Be With You always at the cinema this Holiday Season for which this film is so perfectly primed, as we equally send a hearty congratulations to J.J. Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm for their accomplishments...

With thanks to Disney UK for allowing STAR WARS AFICIONADO to attend their advance screening.

EPISODE IX: THE WORLD PREMIERE ARRIVES!

Enjoy the world premiere via STARWARS.COM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXZpoaVUGJw

UK European premiere review:

Stars attend Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's London premiere | Daily Mail Online

EPISODE VII: 'THE FORCE AWAKENS' TURNS FOUR!

The players for good and for evil are assembled, as the nightmare of tyrannical evil returns with the threat of the First Order against the weak-willed New Republic, and a potential new Jedi generation is revealed. The Force Awakens celebrates its fourth anniversary in the UK today. A rare composite publicity image showcased by TOPPS.

CLASSIC ART: 'ROGUE ONE' TURNS THREE...

Art by Paul Mann.

Courage under fire, and more so, for the inspiring figure of rebellious Jyn Erso and her mismatched but dedicated band of heroes out to steal the plans for the top secret Imperial Death Star space station. As popular as ever, the gritty and genuinely emotional Rogue One: A Star Wars Story celebrates its Third UK Anniversary today.

Though I hear the sequel to this is even better...

EPISODE IX: WAITING IN THE WINGS...

A publicity image of Ian McDiarmid as Darth Sidious from EPISODE III. 

Thought he was destroyed at the Battle of Endor? Well, think again, as the dreaded Emperor Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious, aka 'Evil Incarnate', returns to inflict fear, terror and dark side power on the Resistance struggling to restore good for the last time in The Rise of Skywalker. Always an audience favourite, any opportunity to bring back to the saga that excellent actor portraying him with such cunning intellect and frightening menace, Ian McDiarmid, is most welcome...

Ian McDiarmid on the IX set. Note some familiar background objects that Expanded Universe fans may potentially recognise...

Ian McDiarmid talks EPISODE IX:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBNp8OzN8Wk

A classic moment from EPISODE III that won acclaim from critics and fans. Could past revelations pertain to EPISODE IX?