Ewan McGregor: From Junkie to Jedi

Brian Robb's effort, Ewan McGregor: From Junkie To Jedi, is aimed at youthful audiences that buys books for the pictures not text. Riding the coat tails of the popular actor whose role as Obi Wan Kenobi in the most recent Star War's episode introduced him to American general audiences, this book offers nothing than already known general facts and statements published elsewhere. What it does offer in plenty is photographs, head shots in fact, that present McGregor in a variety of poses, both studio sittings and film extracts. The man is cute, no doubt the reason for his enormous popularity with young females, but McGregor is more than just another pretty, adorable British face. He can act. The body of work already to his credit is formidable for a 28 year old. McGregor is outspoken on many subjects that draw attention in the press, and on almost every page of the 128-pg. paperback is a tidbit of the wit and wisdom of Ewan McGregor. It is well known that McGregor has never given permission for any book on his life, nor is pleased by author's who made intrusions into his private life, however, if you absolutely must know who, what, where, and when of Ewan McGregor, this book will do. Buy two copies, one to cut up for the photos and the second to add to the long list of McGregor unauthorized biographies.

I love Ewan McGregor and I think this book is a bit tired. Nothing I didn't know, really. But the irony of it all strikes me. Playing Obi-Wan appears to have really boosted Ewan's career to most Americans, though he is a very successful actor in Europe and quite famous in the independent film circuit. The ironic part is this: Ewan's predecessor as Obi-Wan, the famous and sadly deceased Alec Guinness, received the opposite end from the role. He was hounded and practically went into hiding. When he died, the first I heard of it was on the Star Wars web site. Then, subsequent announcements always contain something like "The 86-year-old actor, famous for playing Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars..." I wonder if that's what Ewan will be remembered for? I hope not. If you really want to see him be an actor and not just a handsome face in a movie that is heavy on effects and light on plot and dialogue, go rent Shallow Grave or Brassed Off or Trainspotting or Emma or Nightwatch or A Life Less Ordinary or ... See my point?

This book is a must for the fanatic Ewan admirer, if only for the umpteen absolutely gorgeous pictures of the star. However,the actual text, although interesting, seems little more than a compilation of previous Newspaper and Magazine articles. Although I did find several tidbits about the actor that I hadn't read elsewhere, I also found serveral quotes that I had read before, but were wrongfully reproduced here -- in other words, Ewan was being misquoted. So, in turn, I wasn't sure what to believe in the book. However, like I said, some of the b&w stills are breathtaking, and it's definitely a good bio of the actor (although I'm not sure how accurate!)

I found this book to be both enjoyable and informative, and it has some interesting information about Ewan's childhood years in Crieff. Filled with amazing photographs, from black and white to colour. This book is worth the money. It also has a filmography at the back, if you want the titles of all the acting bits he's done. By the way, Ewan is talented and gorgeous!!!

Robb's book is an amusing and quite compelling book. I enjoyed it a lot cause I discovered many things about this cool scottish lad called Ewan. The book includes some interesting information about Ewan's life and how did he managed to get to where he's now: an outsanding actor that can play a heroin addict, a glam rock star or a venerable Jedi Knight. Don't miss it if you're a fan!

The book was really well written and easy to read. The stories were interesting and very funny. I found myself laughing out loud many times. Great behind the scenes info for all of Ewan's movies. It encouraged me to purchase his movies available on DVD. This book gave me great insight and helped me appreciate his work that much more.