Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN DVD

Read my review of The Amazing Spider-Man DVD!

I picked up The Amazing Spider-man DVD* a while back and it's one of the finer home video releases of last year.

Read the full review after the jump along with some artwork from the special features.


Here's a list of the full set of special features of the The Amazing Spider-Man (Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy):

• Amazing Spider-Man Second Screen App - On disc supporting content
• 3D Film School with Marc Webb - 3D PIECE ONLY
• Developing the Amazing Spider-Man Video Game
• Commentary with Marc Webb, Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach
• Andrew Garfield & Dr. Jane Aronson for the Worldwide Orphans Foundation
• The Oscorp Archives - Production Art Gallery
• What is Second Screen?
• Rites of Passage- The Amazing Spider Man Reborn The Drawing Board: Development and Direction; The Amazing Spider Man Reborn Friends and Enemies: Casting; The Amazing Spider Man Reborn Second Skins: Spidey Suit and the Lizard; The Amazing Spider Man Reborn Spidey Goes West: Production - Los Angeles; The Amazing Spider Man Reborn Safe Haven: Production - Sony Studios; The Amazing Spider Man Reborn Bright Tights, Big City: Production - New York; The Amazing Spider Man Reborn The Greatest Responsibility - Post Production and Release
• Iconic Poses and Digital Environments
• Deleted Scenes A Different Fate
• Pre-Visulizations: Revised Opening Sequence; Spider Room; The Subwa; Birth of Spider-Man; Handstand; Roof Top POV; Overpass; Bridge; Love Swing; Lizard Sewer; High School; Lizard Ambush; Standoff; Crane; Oscorp Lab; Oscorp Finale
• Image Progression Reels: Scene 1; Iconic Poses and Digital Environments; Scene 3; Scene 4
• Stunt Rehearsals: Live Subway; Davescript; Spidey Luis Sequence; Escape Under Bridge; Sewer Fight; Big Liz vs. Spidey; Lizard Attacks SWAT; SWAT Attack - V3
• Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game

I decided to get the DVD since the only thing I really care about is the art gallery. The featurette on the DVD is called "The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery" which has three sections of concept art: "Spider-Man," "Lizard" and "Environments." What I absolutely love is when the special features have galleries instead of "pan and scan" videos of illustrations. It's perfect for savoring the designs. One minor quibble is you can't zoom in, but that's a rare feature anyway.

The "Spider-Man" section is my favorite since there are dozens of pictures showing all the different looks Spider-Man almost had. From counting the number of webs on his mask to wildly different color schemes, it's a fascinating peek into the design process. The other two galleries are different looks at the makeup designs for the Lizard and some set designs. What about the quality of the images? They're not bad, but I always judge by color saturation and how clearly you can make out signatures on the artwork. I can make out names like Felipe Sanchwez and Ed Natividad, so it's acceptable, but not high quality. That might be different on the Blu-Ray, but I can't confirm that.

Here are some screencaps from the gallery:

 

Here are the specifications for the DVD:

• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Subtitles: English, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Sony
• Run Time: 136 minutes
• Release Date: November 9, 2012
• ASIN: B00AC5GZQQ

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) is a great behind-the-scenes look into the designing of the film with plenty of never-before-seen concept art by legends in the field.

Here's the rundown for fans of pre-production artwork:
Storyboards: None
Concept Art: Yes
Image Quality: Fair

Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5



Official The Amazing Spider-Man Synopsis
One of the world's most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in "The Amazing Spider-Man." Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012. "The Amazing Spider-Man" is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
Directed by Marc Webb
Cinematography by John Schwartzman
Production Design by J. Michael Riva
Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Irrfan Khan
Official Site: theamazingspiderman.com
Release date: July 3, 2012 (USA)
© 2012 Copyright  Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions. All rights reserved

*Purchases made using these links provide a small commission to help purchase DVDs and books for review. Thank you!

What do you think of The Amazing Spider-Man home video? If you've seen The Amazing Spider-Man what did you think?

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See What Zod Almost Looked Like in Early MAN of STEEL Concept Art by Ed Natividad

 

Check out concept art from Man of Steel by Ed Natividad!

Here are some designs from the Superman reboot film Man of Steelthat show very different designs for the Kryptonian Armor including General Zod. Ed told me these were early explorations from the first two months on the project. He left early to join his friend Patrick Tatopoulos on Total Recall.

Ed Natividad is a professional concept designer who's worked on films like Oblivion (2013), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones(2002).

Check out the rest of the pictures after the jump (click to enlarge).

See more of Ed Natividad's stunning portfolio at EdNatividad.com

Click on the links if you want to see more of Ed Natividad's work and Man of Steel on my blog.

via Comic Book Movie (nailbiter111)

Official Man of Steel Synopsis
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes "Man of Steel," starring Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, under the direction of Zack Snyder ("300,""Watchmen"). The film also stars three-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent's adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner. Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon, and Faora, Zod's evil partner, played by Antje Traue. Also from Superman's native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman's mother, played by Ayelet Zurer, and Superman's father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe.

Official Site: manofsteel.warnerbros.com

Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Russell Crowe
Cinematography by Amir Mokri

Release Date: June 14, 2013

What do you think of the illustrations?

© Copyright 2013 Warner Bros., Legendary Pictures, Syncopy. All rights reserved

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Marvelous SUPERMAN RETURNS Storyboards By Ed Natividad

As we get closer to the release of Man of Steel, here's the second post about the last Superman movie: Superman Returns.

Tuesday I showed concept art from a deleted scene in Superman Returns (2006). Today I'm bringing you the storyboard for the rooftop scene where a criminal shoots a gatling gun at Superman before a bullet bounces off his eye.

Ed Natividad is a professional storyboard artist and concept illustrator who's worked on films like Oblivion (2013) The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones(2002).

All images are from The Art of Superman Returns by Daniel Wallace.

Check out the rest of the pictures after the jump and click to enlarge.

 


Here's the scene

See more of Ed Natividad's work at EdNatividad.com

Official Synopsis
Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure Superman Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's most beloved superheroes. While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman's bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.

Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring:  Brandon Routh,  Kate Bosworth,  James Marsden,  Frank Langella,  Eva Marie Saint,  Parker Posey,  Kal Penn,  Sam Huntington,  Kevin Spacey

Release date:  June 28, 2006

Official site: http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/

© 2006 Copyright Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, DC Comics, Peters Entertainment, Bad Hat Harry Productions. All rights reserved.

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Exclusive: Ed Natividad Talks About OBLIVION Concept Designs and How GM Helped His Career

TRON Legacy Producer Sean Bailey called Ed Natividad a "design superstar." and many in the industry agree. A professional concept designer who's worked on films like The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones(2002) and Transformers(2007), Ed combines real world skills with an amazing imagination.

In my exclusive interview with Ed Natividad, he talks about designing the unique world of Oblivion (2013), the "obscure" book that inspired him and how GM helped his career.

Check out the rest of the interview after the jump and click to enlarge. By the way, there's a spoiler for Oblivion that I obscured.



You studied transportation design in Detroit, Michigan, but an internship in California convinced you to work in films. What made you switch careers?

Total Recall by Ed Natividad

While still in college, I interned at both Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Advanced Concept Center in Thousand Oaks, CA which allowed me to experience exactly what that industry entailed.

I felt through this experience I needed to exercise a wider range of subject matter such as figure drawing, architecture, composition, storytelling in addition to industrial design. However, had it not been for GM, I would not be doing what I am today.

The processes involved in Industrial Design helped develop the ability to problem solve through quick ideation sketches and generate forms indicative to automotive surfaces. This does help in conceptualizing in 3D and adapting to the progressive nature of ID.

What did you work on in Oblivion?
I was involved in Oblivion at it's infant stages, primarily visualizing the inhabitants known as "Scavs," [Scavengers] which Joseph Kosinski described as an alien race when initially perceived, but [ were indeed the last human survivors on earth.] (Spoiler hidden. Highlight text to reveal.)

Images via Comic Book Movie

You've worked with director Joseph Kosinski twice now. He said, "I believe form follows function. I’m not a fan of excessive decoration, of putting fins on something because it looks cool." How did his style influence your work on Tron: Legacy and Oblivion?

Working with Joseph on TRONallowed me to focus on a specific aesthetic language involving corner radiuses and bold linear graphics which were a stark contrast to a form of "anti-design" implemented by the Scavs in Oblivion.

Kosinski said he wanted his film to "bringing science fiction out into the daylight again" to contrast with the darker feel of modern science-fiction. What was it like working with Darren Gilford?
As Production Designer, Darren Gilford was superb in urging the artists to communicate advancement, both technological and chronological. This was a result of research on current product design trends and the plausibility of the concept. Being a conceptual artist as well, he was able to provide us with drawings of his own vision as well as those expressed by Joe.

You've worked with killer robots on Transformers and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Is there a key to storyboarding these types of scenes? 

Transformers Storyboards by Ed Natividad source

When working on Transformers, I try to be creative with camera angles,composition and action sequences, some of which are specific to the director's requests.

As a general rule on the Transformers films, the more extravagant, the better.

I worked in conjunction with Michael Bay's previsualization team, Unit 11, who are responsible for some of the most spectacular sequences in these films.

Your storyboards for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacewere recently released in the book "Star Wars Storyboards: The Prequel Trilogy." What was it like storyboarding for the biggest franchise in science-fiction history? 
While working on the Star Wars, the Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, it was apparent that VFX intensive sequences were hardly effected by budget limitations. As a matter of fact, a good majority of the shots contained some element of VFX. It was easier to count the shots that were devoid of a digital element.

What's been the high-point of your career?

Star Wars Episode Istoryboards by Ed Natividad source

If I had to identify a high point in my career, it wouldn't be a specific project, but rather the relationship you build with certain directors and production designers which make the the experience enjoyable.

Which artists do you admire the most and how have they shaped your view of art?
When asked which artists influenced me the most, it may very well be Joe Johnston. I say this because after picking up an obscure book called "The Star Wars Sketchbook" when it first came out, it informed me that there was a "job" in drawing for the movies. This was also my first exposure to the industrial design style of drawing.

Where can we see your work next?
I am looking forward to seeing Man of Steel in which I was involved in the development of the main villain, General Zod and company. My good friend, Warren Manser, was responsible for the design of Superman's costume.

See more of Ed Natividad's work at EdNatividad.com

Click on the links if you want to see more of Ed Natividad's work and Star Wars designs.
Click to see more of my exclusive interviews with artists

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Arek conceptart, Ed_Natividad, Interview, Movie, Star-Wars, Star-Wars-Episode-I-Phantom-Menace, Star-Wars-II-Attack-Clones, starwars, StoryBoards, Tron, Tron-Legacy