Regardless of whether a film is very bad or is a brilliant work of art, if the film is seen by many people, it is worthy of criticism. A good film review should be entertaining, suggestive and informative, and provide an original opinion without revealing too much plot. A great film review can become a work of art in its own right. Read the following instructions to learn how to analyze films, come up with interesting ideas and write reviews as good as the films themselves.
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Method 1 of 4: Drafting a Review
Step 1. Start with an interesting fact or opinion about the film
Get your readers interested immediately. Make sentences that can make them feel the meaning of the film and its review, is it good, excellent, bad, or just average? Make them want to keep reading. Some ideas you can try include:
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Comparison with other related events or films:
"Every day, state leaders, politicians, and educated people call for "retaliatory strikes" against ISIS, as well as against opposing political parties. However, not many understand how cold, devastating, and empty the repercussions of revenge are like the characters in Blue Ruin."
- Short review "Despite Tom Hanks' stellar performance in the lead role and great soundtrack, Forrest Gump doesn't manage to escape the shadow of a weak storyline and dubious premise."
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Context or background information:
The publicity that Boyhood is the first film to be produced in a long time -- 12 years, with the same actors -- is probably as important as the film itself.
Step 2. Give a clear opinion from the start
Don't leave your readers guessing whether you liked the film or not. Tell them this from the start so that you can later prove the reason for the assessment.
- Use a star, a score between 10 and 100, or the thumbs up or down gesture to get your point across quickly. After that, write a note explaining why you gave it that value.
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Very good movies:
"….is a film that succeeds in almost every way, with stunning characters, scenes, costumes, jokes that make this film worth watching over and over again."
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Bad movies:
"It doesn't matter how much you like kung fu or karate themed movies: you should save money, popcorn and time instead of watching 47 Ronin."
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Mediocre movies:
"I really liked how "weird" the story in "Interstellar" was, maybe more than it needed to be. While it wasn't perfect, in the end, the admiration for the stunning display of outer space managed to distract me from the storyline and heavy dialogue."
Step 3. Write a review
This is when the notes you took while watching the movie will be used. No one will care about your opinion unless there are facts to back it up.
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Very good:
Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer's interactions can carry Fruitvale Station even though the script isn't that great. Especially in the prison scene midway through the film, when the camera never leaves their faces, which shows how much they can convey something with just their eyelids., tension in the neck muscles, without making much noise."
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Bad:
"Jurassic World's biggest drawback is that it doesn't have a real enough female character, and to make matters worse, there's a scene that depicts the character running away from the dinosaurs while wearing high heels."
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Just normal:
"In the end, Snowpiercer couldn't decide what kind of film he wanted. The details in the fight scenes that pay attention to every gun, light, and slippery road don't line up with the ending that seems strong, but doesn't convey much substance."
Step 4. Add opinions beyond the obvious storyline analysis
The storyline is only one part of the film and should not be used as the basis for an entire review. Some films don't have good or interesting storylines, but that doesn't mean they're bad. Other things you should also pay attention to include:
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Cinematography:
"Her is a colorful world, with soft reds and bright oranges along with soothing whites and grays, which slowly awakens and dissipates, like the feelings of love between the protagonists within them. Every frame of the scene feels like a painting worth observing.."
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Tone:
"Despite the suffocating solitude and harsh reality of being trapped on Mars alone, The Martian's witty script makes every scene in it cheerful and exciting. Space may be dangerous and scary, but the joys gained through scientific discoveries can be irreplaceable."
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Sound and music:
"No Country For Old Men's bold decision not to use music is at all worth the payoff. The eerie silence of the desert and only interrupted by the sound effects of violent scenes from those hunting and being hunted will keep you tense throughout the film."
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Role:
"Despite his stunning looks every time he moves, who appears to remain calm as he tries to cope with a speeding bus, Keanu Reeves' performance doesn't quite match the performance of his companion in "Speed"'s silent moments, spoiled by his expressionless gaze."
Step 5. Complete the review at the end
Provide closure for readers, usually by returning to the opening facts of the review. Remember, people read your reviews to help them decide whether or not they should watch the movie. So, end with a sentence that can help them decide.
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Very good:
"Finally, even though the characters in Blue Ruin realize their feud is useless, revenge is an opiate that's hard to let go of until it comes to a painful end."
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Bad:
"As the phrase "a box of chocolates" is often used to say, Forest Gump does have some pretty things. However, most of the scenes are too sweet, and should have been thrown away long before the film was shown."
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Just normal:
"Without a novel or a revolutionary concept, Boyhood might not be a good film. It might not even be a "good enough" film. However, the strength of this film is that it depicts the passage of time and small, seemingly mundane moments -- moments that can only be had for 12 years. the making--making Linklater's latest film a must-see for everyone interested in the art of film."
Method 2 of 4: Studying the Source Material
Step 1. Gather basic facts about the film
You can do this before you watch the film, but of course, you should before writing the review, as you will need to incorporate some facts into your review as you write. Here's what you need to know:
- Movie title and year of release.
- Director's name.
- The names of the main actors.
- Kind of movie.
Step 2. Make notes about the film as you watch it
Before you sit down to watch the movie, prepare a notebook or laptop so you can take notes. Movies are long and you may forget some important details or plot points. Taking notes will help you mark small things that you can recall later.
- Take notes every time something catches your eye, good or bad. This could be about costumes, make-up, background design, music, etc. Think about how these details relate to the rest of the film and what they mean in the context of your review.
- Take note of the story patterns you find as the story in the film begins to unfold.
- Use the pause button frequently so you don't miss anything, and replay as many times as needed.
Step 3. Analyze the mechanics of the film
Analyze the various components that come together in the film as you watch it. While you are watching or after, ask yourself, what impression did you have on the following passages:
- Briefing. Think about the director and the way he presents or explains the events in the story. If the film feels slow, or doesn't cover things you think are important, you can talk about that in the director's section. If you've seen other films with the same director, compare them and decide which one you like the most.
- Cinematography. What techniques were used in making the film? What background and background elements help create a certain feel?
- Writing. Evaluate the script, including the dialogue and characterization. Do you think the plot is something new and unpredictable, or boring and feels weak? Do the characters' words sound convincing to you?
- Editing. Does the film fall apart or does it flow smoothly from scene to scene? Take notes about lighting and other environmental effects. If the film contains computer-generated images, think about whether they look real or blend into the rest of the film.
- Costume design. Does the clothing selection match the film's style? Did the costumes help build the overall feel of the film, or did they just not fit?
- Background design. Think about how the setting affects the rest of the film. Does the setting add or detract from the movie-viewing experience for you? If the film was shot in a real location, would this location be a good choice?
- Score or background music. Does the score match the scene? Is it overused or underutilized? Nerve-wracking? Entertain? Disturb? Background songs can destroy or build a film, especially if they have a specific message or meaning in them.
Step 4. Watch the movie one more time
You're unlikely to really understand a movie you've only watched once, especially if you press the pause button a lot to take notes. Watch the movie at least one more time before you compose a review. Pay attention to details that you might have missed when watching it the first time. This time, choose a new focal point; if you make a lot of notes about acting the first time you watch it, next time, focus on the cinematography.
Method 3 of 4: Compiling a Review
Step 1. Generate new ideas based on your analysis
Once you've thoroughly studied the film, what unique insights can you provide? Make a main idea or idea to be discussed and supported by your observations on various elements of the film. Your ideas should be mentioned in the first paragraph of your review. An idea will make your review more than just a plot summary and place it in the world of film criticism, which is an art form in itself. Ask yourself the following questions to get interesting ideas for your review.
- Does the film reflect current events or current issues? It could be the director's way of building a larger discussion. Look for ways to relate the film's content to the "real" world.
- Does the film have a message, or does it aim to elicit a certain response from the audience? You should discuss whether the goal was achieved or not.
- Does the film have anything to do with you personally? You can write a review that comes from your personal feelings and include a little personal story to make the review more interesting for your readers.
Step 2. Continue your idea paragraph with a flow summary
It's a good idea to give readers an idea of what to expect when they decide to watch a movie. Provide a plot summary that includes an introduction to the main characters, a background image, and an explanation of the film's main core or conflict. Never break the most important rule of writing a review, which is to say too much. Don't ruin your readers' viewing experience!
- When you name a character in your plot summary, write the name of the actor after it in parentheses.
- Look for a section within the paragraph for the name of the director and the full title of the film.
- If you feel you need to discuss information that might spoil the reader, give advance warning.
Step 3. Continue with your analysis of the film
Write a few paragraphs discussing interesting elements from the film that support your ideas. Discuss the acting, the direction, the cinematography, the setting, and so on, in clear and engaging prose that keeps your readers intrigued.
- Keep your writing neat and easy to understand. Don't use too many technical terms in filmmaking, and keep your language sharp and understandable.
- Give your facts and opinions. For example, you might state something like "The Baroque background music is the opposite of the 20th century setting in the movie." This is more informative to the reader than simply saying "The music is an odd choice for the film."
Step 4. Use lots of examples to support your point
If you are making a statement about the film, back it up with descriptive examples. Describe how the scene looks, the way someone acts, the camera angle, and so on. You can quote dialogue from the film to help you get your point across. This way, you can explain the nuances of the film to your readers and continue to express your critique of the film at the same time.
Step 5. Add a little personality
You can think of your review like a formal college essay, but it will be more interesting if you make it more like your own styled writing. If your writing style is usually witty and humorous, your review should feel that way. If your style is serious and dramatic, that's great too. Let your language and writing style reflect your point of view and personality - that will make it more appealing to the reader.
Step 6. End your review with a conclusion
The conclusion should relate to your original idea and provide some kind of clue as to whether the audience should watch the film or not. Your conclusion should feel interesting or entertaining on its own, because that is the end of your writing.
Method 4 of 4: Polishing the Writing
Step 1. Edit your review
After completing the first draft of your writing, re-read it and conclude whether your writing flows well and has the right structure. You may have to swap paragraphs, delete some sentences, or add more material in various places to fill in the less readable parts. Read your review one more time, or 2-3 times, before you conclude your writing is neat.
- Ask yourself if your review stays true to your idea. Does your conclusion go back to your original idea?
- Conclude whether your review contains enough detail about the film. You may need to reread and add more explanations in various places to give the reader a better impression of the film.
- Assess whether your review is interesting enough as a standalone piece. Did you contribute anything new to the discussion? What will readers gain from reading your review that they can't just from watching the film?
Step 2. Correct your review
Make sure you spell the names of the actors correctly and write down all the dates correctly. Eliminate typos, grammar and spelling mistakes. A neat, corrected review will look much more professional than a review full of silly mistakes.
Step 3. Publish or share your review
Post a review on your blog, share it on a movie discussion forum, or email it to your friends and family. Film is the preeminent art form of our time, and like any other art form, it can stir up controversy, provide a place for self-reflection, and make a huge impact on our culture. All of this means that the film is worth discussing, whether it is a flop or the work of a genius. Congratulations to those of you who have contributed your valuable opinion to the discussion.
Tips
- Understand that just because the film isn't to your taste, doesn't mean you have to give it a bad review. Good review writers aim to help people find the films they like, and since you don't share everyone's tastes, you should be able to tell your readers whether they will enjoy the film, even if you don't.
- Read a lot of movie reviews and think about what might make certain reviews more helpful than others. Again, the value of a review does not always lie in its accuracy (the reader's level of agreement with the reviewer) but in its usefulness (how well the reviewer can predict the reader's impression of the film).
- If you don't like the film, don't be rude and mean. If possible, avoid watching movies that you will absolutely hate.
- Make sure not to include any spoilers!
