Book Review: “The Art of Incredibles 2” Features a Nice Assortment of Concept Art in 166 Pages

Hi everyone!

We received The Art of Incredibles 2 to review. The book of concept art for the latest Pixar film debuts in just a couple of days (May 8th) and the film will be released on June 15th, 2018. This is an Incredible Summer everywhere as the Parr family makes a return appearance after 14 years! Chronicle Books publishes the “Art of” Disney books, and we have reviewed several in the past. I have also purchased many, the Chronicle “Art of books” are some of my favorites in my book collection.

The forward is by John Lasseter, and it discusses the mid-century modern design of the movie and how it relates to his family.

The introduction is from director Brad Bird, who I still think of from his Iron Giant days because that was such a lauded and revolutionary film at the time, and he also wrote and directed my favorite animated film, Ratatouille. It is great to see him back on Incredibles 2, as sequels don’t always have the same filmmakers/writers attached. Bird says about the core idea of Incredibles 2 that he thought of it just as he was finishing the first film and he talks a little about the challenges. I don’t want to say more than that because it may be mild spoilers for some who may not know anything about the film yet. Bird also says that Incredibles 2 “demanded a hurricane of art” and that Ralph Eggleston managed the team for it “without going noticeably insane”. (We interviewed Eggleston for Inside Out and he was one of my favorite interviews ever).

One of the differences in current “Art of” books from the books of a few years ago is that there is less text. As always, there is a plethora of concept art, and often enough dialogue to keep the pages moving. Also, there are usually at least some mild spoilers in the books – though I didn’t find as much this time around.

The Art of Incredibles 2 starts with concept art and some information on the characters. For example, Brad Bird said he wanted to make Helen Parr more human and not totally perfect. The character pages mix original characters like the Parr Family and Edna Mode with newer characters. As with other chapters, the artwork ranges from early concept art to fully realized.

The second chapter is about environments. One of those aspects is the Parr house, which is the mid-century modern style and one that is visible for the upcoming queue of The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure. The look is very unique with triangles shapes. Eggleston shows his very first quick “doodle” while saying that he wanted the new Parr home would be a “rocket to the future”. The idea was originally rejected, but it is what the home is based on. The exterior design actually came after the interior design shots, and some of the work had to be re-adjusted for that.

P. 76/77 Kyle Mcnaughton digital; Philip Metschan previs

The Art of Incredibles 2 features two more chapters: Vehicles and Outtakes.

I enjoy concept art and this book is 166 pages full of it. If there was one thing I would have on my wish list for the next “Art of” book (the next will be The Art of Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-it Ralph 2), it would be for more text. But I would absolutely purchase The Art of Incredibles 2 if I didn’t receive a review copy, it’s a really nicely laid out book with a lot of great artwork.

This review features affiliate links.