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Beautiful Monsters Beautiful Monsters: the Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to the Alien and Predator Films By David McIntee Paperback, Telos Publishing Limited, 2005 As a movie guide book, Beautiful Monsters is not a work of fiction. Nor does it purport to represent or to be in any way an interpretation or fictional realisation of Aliens or Predators. This is a nonfiction work; and it lives up to the expectations of extensively documenting a great many well known facts regarding all 4 Alien movies and both Predator 1 & 2. It also includes useful information regarding the 2004 released crossover film, Alien vs. Predator movie to lend it a satisfying level of completeness. Furthermore, there is to be found inside the pages of this independent and unauthorised tome many obscure facts and anecdotes that will surprise and please any fan of these movies. I would safely say without any doubt for anybody interested in picking up this book, you will find new information regarding your favourite movie that had previously escaped your knowledge. The book is very functionally assembled, being partitioned into 3 Parts. Each of these are further divided up into a total of 15 chapters and this makes locating specific movie related items a very simple process. Part 1: 'Bug Hunt' primarily relates directly to Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection. Part 2: 'Blood Hunt', incorporates Predator, Predator 2, and oddly enough, Alien vs. Predator under its banner. The book finishes with Part 3: 'Parasitism', which serves as an extensive appendix documenting the various comics, toys, games and other spin off merchandise that has been inspired by the Alien and Predator movies. So, not only are all of the movies meticulously covered in great detail, so too are the franchise satellite properties also very well represented. Layout of the book is very straight forward. It boasts a no-nonsense presentation, dedicating all of its critical space to be filled choc-a-block with movie relevant information. Each chapter contains a consistent selection of Headers dealing with specific details. For example, such Headers are marked 'Running Time', 'Budget', 'merchandise' and 'Ye canna change the laws o' physics' provide focus on particular topics. Plus many and varied other Headers are present ranging from details of production notes to plot line 'Goofs' outlining story inconsistencies and inaccuracies for each movie. It all makes for a very logical and easy to follow layout. Advertisement This arrangement makes finding any movie related item very comfortable. So much so, that I found that the obligatory index at the start of the book became redundant very quickly. It is always rewarding to be able to pick up a movie guide book such as this and navigate your way to any item easily without having to refer to an index. All 7 movies are given a treatment in the form of a review at the end of each relevant chapter. These reviews, provided by the Author, present an opportunity on his part to pass critical opinion in an intelligent and considered manner. It makes for a great rounding off of each fact filled chapter to have such analytical appraisals made for each movie. I can't say that this book is particularly well illustrated, because, it isn't. There simply isn't any interior graphic content present here whatsoever. The only illustration to be found is the very generic alienesque image displayed on the cover. And it really does look like a second rate airbrushed attempt at emulating H. R. Giger's inspirational artwork. OK, so the cover looks kind of dubious but certainly don't let that minor issue influence your decision to not purchase this book. It is an holistic, all encompassing and authoritative volume overflowing with confidently assembled movie information. It is well worth having on hand for the vast array of trivia and facts contained therein. Sure, the lack of any interior illustrations may disappoint some; but if imagery is what you're really after, go and grab the DVD's from your local store. This book's primary objective is to collate as many facts and details regarding the AvP related movies into one handy, easy to use reference tool. It is an ideal book to just dip into casually; or use to extensively to brush up on your Alien and Predator knowledge. Unfortunately, a book of this nature really does need to be able to accommodate so much more information to be truly complete. Despite its exhaustive 260 info packed pages, it just never is going to be enough for the voracious, hard core fan who hungrily wants more. Nonetheless, this book is an excellent and indispensable piece of work that will deservedly find its way onto any Alien and/or Predator fans bookshelf. Yeah, this is a good book, indeed. Intelligent, insightful and fair in it's treatment. It's the perfect armchair tool for movie fans, xenophiles and couch predatoes. By Windebieste Comments? Flames? Praise? Mail feedback!