Pacific Rim is the giant monsters (Kaiju in Japanese) VS robots (called Jaegers) film directed by Guillermo del Toro ( Cronos, Blade 2, Hellboy 1 & 2 ). This is the official art book for the film, packed full of fantastic illustrations and concept art used for the visual development of the monsters and robots.
The contents are broken up into 4 main sections, Part 1 “Monsters In The Mist” covers the script, story and characters, Part 2 “The Crazy Kids In The Submarine” covers Art & Design, Storyboarding and the Jaeger (robot) designs, Part 3 “Doing It For Real” covers Shooting & Production, Special (practical) Effects and the Sets, and Part 4 “Simulating The Apolcaplyse” covers Post-Production, Visual Effects, 3D, Sound & Music, and finally the Kaiju (monster) designs.
(above and below right) Monster concept designs by Guy Davis. Readers of the Hellboy spinoff comic BPRD should be familiar with his style of work, and the grotesque but effective creature designs he creates.
(above & below) Wonderfully detailed macquettes of the Kaijus created by the sculptors which are eventually turned over to ILM for reference when creating the CG versions. The Kaiju toys released by NECA are probably not as detailed but still look pretty good.
Picking this one up should be an easy decision if you’re into the giant kaiju/mecha genre. Very highly recommended.
I also urge you to catch the film because it contains some of the most complex and epic visual effects that my colleagues at ILM have ever created.
“Pacific Rim Art Book″ details :
– Dimensions – 11.3 x 10.2 x 1 inches
– Hardcover, 156 pages (comes with 2 folded posters)
– Full color
Buy From Amazon CA | Amazon JP | Amazon UK | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon ES
You might also be interested in these items :
The Art And Making Of Pacific Rim Uprising Book Review
Pacific Rim Jaeger Blueprints
Classy Pacific Rim Poster
Pacific Rim – NECA 18 Inch Gipsy Danger Action Figure
Pacific Rim Valentines Illustrations – Benjamin Dewey
July 1st, 2013 at 1:57 am
The CG rendering looks great, but I’m not impressed with the monster designs I’ve seen so far, especially considering this is a Del Toro film. Nothing really iconic, often too busy and have a kit-bashed look. The motion, lighting and CG texture work will be the thing that makes these something to watch, not the designs themselves. In my opinion, of course.
July 1st, 2013 at 11:24 pm
King Raoh – You have really high standards ! Or perhaps I’m just a noob on monster designs.
In any case, I hope you’ll like the film better ! :]
July 2nd, 2013 at 11:33 am
You’re not a noob, heh. You’ve probably seen more of what they’re up to than I have anyway. I just think simplicity works better for the kaiju concept, cause that’s what I’m use to seeing from the TOHO stuff, which were basically giant versions of creatures and animals we’re already familiar with.
On the other hand, these aren’t ‘hero’ kaiju (which also includes Godzilla enemies like Ghidorah). The villain monsters were often more over the top or weirder than the heroes.
July 16th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Been a while!
I agree with King Raoh here. Kaiju are usually just larger versions of natural and simple designs. The monsters in Pacific Rim are a bit too extraterrestrial, for lack of a better term. They look like the oversized versions of the typical barbaric aliens found in Western sci-fi videogames (think Halo, Gears of War and the like). Nothing very memorable except that bipedal monster with the massive snout (the one standing in the ocean). That monster is rather simple, an oversized dinosaur, exactly like something that would appear in Godzilla.
I’m still definitely checking out the movie on Saturday. I’ve heard pretty good things about what everyone thought would just be this year’s entry in the “dumb action” genre, haha!
July 16th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
The crocodilian monster in the very first concept art (the one fighting the robot in the arctic-like setting) is also pretty nice.
July 17th, 2013 at 10:54 pm
Hina – Welcome back ! Hope you enjoy the show ! :]