How to Write a Film Review

After you have selected your movie, get familiar with its context. Before you even see the movie, get to know a little about it. Any information you find out about the actors, director, or the background of the film can allow you to make deeper insights into understanding the film.

After you see the movie, formulate a specific opinion in one sentence (thesis). Your job as a reviewer is to give an opinion of the movie (but to keep it a formal opinion). For example, “I didn’t like this comedy because it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.” becomes “Although the film had a few humorous moments, it ultimately did not measure up to the hype.”

Introduction – The Lead You have to intrigue your reader to get him/her to read your review. Create an interesting lead. –Start with a quote from the movie and explain how it explains the movie. –Refer to the reputation of the director or an actor and compare it to the movie. –Explain what expectations a normal viewer would have before seeing the movie and describe how the movie matches up. At the end of the introduction, after your lead, you need to include your thesis.

Body Paragraphs: Recap briefly, but don't give away anything big. Write about the basic premise and tell how the story builds, but don’t give away anything that will ruin the outcome of the film for a potential viewer. Keep it brief, and then get to the reviewing part.

Body Paragraphs: Back Up Your Main Opinion with Specifics The reader knows from your thesis that you believe that – “Although the film had a few humorous moments, it ultimately did not measure up to the hype.” – now it’s time to show it. What went wrong in the film or what went right? (Not just the plot, but the scenery, acting, camera angles, costumes, music, or directing style if they are integral in proving your opinion.) Use specifics to make your reader see you are right, but be careful not to give away the ending.

Your Aim What’s the point? Your aim is to persuade someone else to believe what you believe about a movie, but to state it as if it were fact. After all, we tend to believe factual statements more than “I believes”. Great film reviews usually range between words. But don’t limit yourself or push yourself toward that range if it doesn’t feel right. Write without worrying about word number and explain yourself.