FORMAT: HARDCOVER (REVIEWED), DIGITAL | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Big coffee table books inspired by movies tend to come in two broad flavours. They can be either filled with stills and images from the movie itself, or filled with art and pre-visualisation work from the production itself, giving the reader a crucial insight into the production process.
Blade Runner 2049 – Interlinked – The Art is of the latter sort, a fantastic behind the scenes look into a visually stunning movie. Bladerunner 2049 is a special effects-heavy feature crammed with many unique elements, and this gorgeous looking book is crammed full of relevant art. It’s a large book with art pretty much on every page. We get the odd bit of production note and commentary here and there, but that’s not the focus of this book.
Instead, it is jammed with art in multiple styles, from CGI models to digital renders and pen and ink drawings. The book is divided by subject. We start off with spinners, the iconic Blade Runner Spinner vehicles before moving to various re-imaginings of sci-fi style guns. We get costume designs, re-imaginings of sets and various backdrops and prop ideas.
As a visual reference for the movie, it’s very comprehensive and robust. It’s also a great guide for anyone looking for inspiration for anything Cyberpunk; they are plenty of ideas here and you’ll get more out of this book than you would simply watching the movie. The text mostly adds flavour rather than information; this is mostly a feast for the eyes rather than a guided tour. Still, it’s a great insight into one of the most visually striking sci-fi movies of recent years.
