Monday, December 21, 2015

Review: DK Star Wars The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary is GREAT & provides answers

Spoiler Alert! Do not read on if you haven't seen the latest Star Wars The Force Awakens. But if you have already seen the film at least once and want to know more, this Dorling Kindersley (DK) Star Wars The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary is a good resource for some unanswered questions you might have. Plus you get to see more of the details that went into the making of the film. The complete guide to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this visual dictionary reveals all of the characters, creatures, droids, locations and technology.


I enjoyed watching the film and it was quite nostalgic to see Star Wars again on the big screen. It will never be able to repeat the jaw dropping eye popping effect it had on me when I first watched it on the big screen in 1977 but having the familiar faces and characters showing up on the big screen again after so long alongside new and fresh faces who will bring the franchise to a whole new generation and continue the saga that started back in 1977 is certainly well worth the wait. After the movie was over, there were some questions I wanted to ask but no one could give me the answers until I saw this Dorling Kindersley (DK) Star Wars The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary on a rack last Saturday. I already own four of the previous releases by DK so picking this up was a no brainer. This book covers most of the characters seen in the newest Star Wars film and a lot of what we see in a fleeting moment on screen is captured here for us to enjoy once more, especially all the weird and wonderful aliens and creatures that make up the Star Wars universe. Truly a visual treat and feast for the eyes!

Scroll down to see all the pictures.
Click on them for bigger and better views.


Four pages are devoted to the main characters like FN-2187 / Finn, Rey and Kylo Ren and they go into details like the design of Kylo's lightsaber and the Alliance pilot doll Rey crafted when she was 10 years old, even telling us that the salvaged X-Wing pilot helmet Rey has in her possession once belonged to Captain Dosmit Raeh of the Tierfon Yellow Aces. Lots of nice details in the book :)


The First Order Stormtroopers are given equal emphasis in the book with many pages describing their armor and arsenal at their disposal, including the D-93 Incinerator Flamethrower and the Snowtrooper's vehicle-mounted repeating blaster on their snow speeders. General Hux and the Finalizer crew are also mentioned in detail and the mouse droid can still be found aboard the First Order starships and installations. The TIE fighter pilots are also given their fare share of the attention with focus on their Special Forces pilot helmet.


The Resistance Pilots also have not been missed, nor are the Resistance Commanders, Ground Crew and Infantry. The Guavian Death Gang and Kanjiklub members who come into contact with Han Solo onboard the enormous bulk freighter Eravana are also featured, with names, uniform attire and weapon details all clearly shown.


Lor San Tekka who holds the last piece of the puzzle to find Luke is mentioned in the first few pages along with Poe Dameron and BB-8. Their meeting is the catalyst that kickstarts the proceedings and leads Rey and Finn on the adventure of their lives, taking them out of the Niima Outpost in Jakku to the other worlds beyond.


Maz Kanata and her castle tavern on the planet Takodana, along with the playing band as well as motley assortment of outlanders / aliens that were there are mentioned as well, It reminds me of the Mos Eisley Cantina where Luke first met Han on Tattoine.


One particular figure in the crowd caught my eye and now I know his name is Captain Sidon Ithano, also known as the Crimson Corsair, the Blood Buccaneer, or the Red Raider, a pirate who travel the starlanes in their modified freighter, the Meson Martinet.


I'm glad I got his book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Related posts:
Review of "Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-up Adventure" book with light-up lightsaber posted on my toy blog HERE
"Star Wars: A Pop-up Guide to the Galaxy" book with dual light-up light sabers reviewed HERE

Other notable books I have covered in my toy blog include:
"The Dark Knight Manual: Tools, Weapons, Vehicles and Documents from the Batcave" - posted HERE

and

"X-Men: The Characters and Their Universe by Michael Mallory", a HUGE (28 cm or 11 inches wide x 36 cm or 14.25 inches high x 3 cm or 1.25 inches thick), heavy, hardcover bound and crammed full of interesting facts (288 pages in all) about the X-Men - posted HERE

plus Hobby Japan Mil-FIG Customized 12-inch Military Action Figures book shown HERE

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