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What should a good movie review include?
What is a movie review?
How to write a good film review?
What makes a good film reviewer?
- Plot. The movie follows a comprehensive story arc and is plausible. Story Arc. A building without a blueprint is going to have big problems. The same is true for a movie.
- Attraction. The movie has an interesting premise and has entertainment value. Premise. The premise is the sales pitch. It’s the movie trailer. Here, originality is the name of the game.
- Theme. The themes are identifiable and deeply connect. Identity. What message or truth is the movie trying to convey? Are these themes easy to identify? Are they hidden?
- Acting. The characters are multidimensional and the actor’s performance is convincing. Characters. Weak characters breed weak acting. However skilled the actor or actress may be, if there is little for them to draw from, they will be struggling to create a character out of thin air.
- “North” by Roger Ebert. This review starts off with a catchy hook, making readers curious for Ebert to elaborate on his statements. “I have no idea why Rob Reiner, or anyone else, wanted to make this story into a movie, and close examination of the film itself is no help.”
- “The Flash” by Justin Chang. This movie review example starts off right away with a brief overview synopsis of what the movie, The Flash, is about. “‘The Flash’ is a time-travel story and a cautionary tale, a warning of how dangerous it can be to change the past or mess around with alternate realities.”
- “Bonnie and Clyde” by Roger Ebert. Another great movie review example, using a movie as a sense of societal self-reflection, is Roger Ebert’s review of Bonnie and Clyde.
- “Black Panther” by Soraya Nadia McDonald. Yet another movie review example is this Black Panther review by Soraya Nadia McDonald. The whole review deep dives into the cultural context of the movie and its timeliness or lack thereof.
- Plot Summary
- The Critic’s First Impression
- Commentary on The Acting
- Analysis of Technical Elements
- An Evaluation of The Film’S Overall Success
- The Critic’s Final Recommendation
- Bonus: 4 Things to Avoid in A Film Review
The very first element that no film review can go without is a proper plot summary. Critics should mention the film’s name, when it was released, the major players, which includes the main cast and the director or producer, and what the movie is about. This doesn’t mean they need to write a complete film synopsis. They only need to briefly explain ...
The critic’s first impression is usually intertwined with the plot summary and lets readers know where the critic stands right away. For instance, Matt Zoller Seitz writes about the film Three Minutes: A Lengthening, saying, “Bianca Stigter’s documentary…is a great film about filmmaking and a quietly devastating memorial for lives long gone.” This ...
One of the first things the average watcher wants to know about a film is who the cast is. Casting can make or break a film, and some of the greatest movies in history are remembered as such because of stellar performancesby the lead actors. There are several questions to ask when you’re analyzing acting in a film: 1. Does the actor suit the role? ...
This is one of the most significant factors to look at when reviewing a film. A critic doesn’t necessarily needto comment on each individual element, but they need to comment on ones that stand out and make a significant contribution. These technical elements are: 1. Camera work:This encapsulates a film’s various shots, angles, and camera movement....
The next item in a film review is a summary of all the elements discussed in the review and should address the film’s shortcomings and successes, while focusing on plot points and technical decisions that either enhance or detract from the movie. This is all to circle back to the director’s intentionswith the film. The critic will assess whether th...
This is where the critic makes a final assessmentof the film. Sometimes this is accompanied by a star rating, but not every critic uses this system. The final recommendation encapsulates the film’s overarching message, or what we can take away from it, and the critic’s last commentary. Finally, they’ll tell the reader why they should or shouldn’t w...
As well as features critics should always include in reviews, there are some that critics should leave out entirely. 1. Spoilers:Critics should never include spoilers, at least not without warning. Spoilers will ruin the film for readers, and they’ll probably decide that they won’t watch it after all in light of this information. 2. Unjustifiably h...
May 13, 2024 · 1. Start with a compelling fact, quote, or opinion on the movie. You want to get the reader hooked immediately. This sentence needs to give them a feel for your review and the movie – is it good, great, terrible, or just okay? – and keep them reading. Some ideas include: [1]
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Jun 7, 2021 · If you’ve recently watched a film and want to share your opinions about it, there are a few best practices that can help you compose a balanced, thoughtful, and entertaining movie review. Whether it’s for pleasure or a job assignment, writing a good movie review can be a useful exercise that allows you to explore your personal connection to ...
Mar 13, 2024 · Here are ten tips on writing a compelling piece. 1. Watch the film at least once. For new reviewers, it’s impossible to capture everything after one viewing. Watching the film first, then watching to take notes, is an easy way to improve the quality of your final review.
Oct 6, 2022 · Example 1. Example 2. What Is a Film Review? A film review is a critical judgment or discussion that informs about the release of a new film and contains its analysis, assessment, summary, as well as personal impressions and experiences after watching. What is a film review? How long is a movie review?
