Review film как написать

Случалось ли так, что поход в кинотеатр и новая разрекламированная премьера очередного блокбастера не приносили вам ничего, кроме горького разочарования? Хотелось скорее сглотнуть то неприятное послевкусие от впустую потерянного времени, забыть ошибки режиссера и убогую игру актеров, как страшный сон? И в то же время наверняка есть такие фильмы, которые смогли-таки тронуть до глубины души, и вам хотелось рассказать всем о них. В русском языке есть удивительное множество слов и фраз, помогающих изложить на бумаге весь тот ураган эмоций, который обуревает нас после просмотра фильма или чтения книги. Однако когда дело доходит до английского языка, то в лучшем случае на ум приходят только interesting, exciting and wonderful. С этим надо бороться, друзья!

Содержание ревью

Как узнать, сто́ит ли тратить время на поход в кино или чтение новой книги? Конечно же из ревью! В узком смысле слова «ревью» – это рецензия, ваша личная оценка того, что вы увидели, прочитали или посетили.

Как и у любого вида сочинения, у ревью есть структура:

• Введение (о чем буду говорить).
• Основная часть (что именно понравилось / не понравилось).
• Заключение (смотреть или не смотреть, читать или не читать).

Во введении, как правило, сообщают о том, какое произведение было выбрано для ревью, почему остановились именно на этом произведении, что заставило написать ревью. Особо много писать в начале нет смысла, это должны быть 2-3 предложения, которые расскажут, о чем пойдет речь.

Все самое интересное находится в основной части, здесь можно дать волю своей фантазии. В этой части указывают, какие актеры снимаются в главных ролях и каких персонажей они играют, причем хорошо бы совместить это с событиями фильма. Однако не стоит увлекаться и пересказывать весь сюжет: не забывайте, что ваше ревью может читать человек, который не видел фильм или не читал книгу. В противном случае вы рискуете получить обидное прозвище «спойлер» – от английского to spoil – портить. Это такая неприятная личность, которая портит все удовольствие от фильма или книги путем пересказывания сюжета.

Кстати, о сюжете (plot). Конечно, вам не нужно описывать весь сюжет, но все же его составные части следует знать:

• Exposition (завязка) – начало истории, которое представляет конфликт, действующих лиц, место действия.
• Rising action (развитие сюжета) – события перед кульминацией, где действующие лица пытаются решить конфликт, но у них это не получается.
• Climax (кульминация) – самая высокая точка напряжения действия.
• Falling action (действия после кульминации) – события, следующие после кульминации.
• Resolution (развязка) – конец истории, показывающий решение проблем и конфликтов главных героев.

И в заключение каждый уважающий себя ценитель литературы и кинематографа пишет, стоит ли данный фильм/книгу смотреть/читать, а также подводит итог, почему он так считает.

Пример ревью

Не будем откладывать дело в долгий ящик и сразу обратимся к примеру ревью фильма, который я очень люблю, – “The Hunger Games” («Голодные игры»). Кстати, любители жанра антиутопии оценят по достоинству книгу Сьюзен Коллинз “The Hunger Games”, на основе которой и был снят фильм.

↓ Скачать transcript видео (*.pdf, 172 Кб)

Автор указал все основные пункты ревью, правда? Начал с того, что рассказал, какой фильм выбрал и почему. Далее описал основные перипетии сюжета, судеб главных героев, конфликт и решение конфликта. И самое главное – указал свое отношение к фильму: что ему понравилось, а что показалось странным. После этого сделал заключение – стоит смотреть или нет. Вполне хороший пример ревью с прекрасной лексикой, которую мы представим в табличке.

Nouns
Trilogy	Трилогия
Adaptation	Адаптация (например, фильм по книге)
Dystopia	Антиутопия
Exposition	Экспозиция, завязка
Tribute	Жертва, которую выбирают для участия в «Голодных Играх»
Focal-point	Фокусная точка
Best-selling novel	Роман-бестселлер
Backstory	Предыстория
Sense of scope	Чувство целостности
Verbs
To star	Сниматься
To round out	Округлять, совершенствовать
To place the bets	Делать ставки
To borrow heavily from	Заимствовать в значительной степени из
To be treated with some emotions	Относятся к чему-то с какими-то эмоциями
To be based on	Основываться
To be amazingly impressive	Быть невероятно впечатляющим
Couple that	Прибавьте к этому
Adjectives
Supporting cast	Вспомогательный состав, актеры второго плана
Scene-chewing role	Переигранная, наигранная роль
Yesteryear	Прошлогодний
No-holds-barred	Без ограничений
Star-crossed lovers	Под несчастливой звездой (несчастливые влюбленные)
Accomplished Oscar-nominated actor	Состоявшийся (искусный), номинированный на «Оскар» актер
Post-apocalyptic environment	Постапокалиптическая среда
Universally accepted entertainment	Всемирно признанное развлечение
Well-paced script	Хорошо развивающийся сценарий
Meaningful characters	Значимые персонажи
Motion-sickness-inducing camera	Вызывающая укачивание работа оператора
Adverbs
Critically acclaimed	Признанный критиками
Inherently	По существу, от природы
At times	Иногда
Phrases
To exhibit something close to earlier performance	Играть приблизительно так же, как в предыдущих ролях
The film feels like a watered-down edit of a much more ambitious film	Фильм похож на разбавленный водой монтаж более амбициозного фильма
To judge a picture solely on the merits contained within it	Судить о фильме, основываясь исключительно на достоинствах этого фильма
Something that is sorely missing from the movie is (idea)	Чего-то не хватает в фильме (идеи)
Something is haphazardly executed (concept, the main message)	Что-то бессистемно реализуется (идея, главное послание)
Something is a far-cry from masterpiece (the work of a cameraman, film)	Что-то совсем далекое от шедевра (работа оператора, фильм)

Полезные фразы для написания ревью

Что же, теперь мы знаем, какие структурные элементы нужно упомянуть в своем сочинении. Однако это не самое трудное, самый большой вопрос возникает с выбором слов! Как красиво описать все, что чувствуешь, словами? Этот вопрос терзает многих. Давайте остановимся подробно на словах и фразах, которые можно использовать при описании фильмов или книг. Но сначала узнаем о самых популярных жанрах фильмов.

Genres of films
Genre of film	Жанр фильма	Пример
Action	Боевик
Drama	Драма
Comedy	Комедия
Romantic comedy	Романтическая комедия
Horror	Фильм ужасов
Science fiction	Фантастика
Suspense (Thriller)	Триллер
Western	Вестерн
Documentary (Non-Fiction)	Документальный
Musical	Мюзикл

После жанров фильмов следуют типы фильмов, и здесь мы выделим следующие:

Kinds of films
Low-budget	Малобюджетный
Box-office hit	Кассовый хит
A flop	Фильм-провал
Black-and-white	Черно-белое кино
Silent	Немой фильм
Well-dubbed	Хорошо дублированный
With subtitles	С субтитрами
Flashback story	История в воспоминаниях (например, «Зеленая миля»)

А вот такие прилагательные мы можем использовать при описании фильмов и книг:

Adjectives about films
Jaw-dropping	Потрясающий (дословно – такой, что челюсть отваливается)
Breathtaking	Захватывающий дух
Action packed	Наполненный действиями
Hair-raising	Страшный (дословно – такой, что волосы встают дыбом)
Tearjerker	Душещипательный (дословно – слезоточивый)
Spine-tingling	Берущий за живое (дословно – такой, что испытываешь покалывание в позвоночнике)
Eye-opening	Поучительный (дословно – открывающий глаза на что-то)
Thought-provoking	Заставляющий думать
Awe-inspiring	Внушающий благоговение

Также я хочу привести сводную таблицу, в которой указаны прилагательные, описывающие положительные и отрицательные аспекты фильмов:

Additional description
About…	Positive	Negative
Characters (главные герои)	Believable (правдоподобные) Likeable (симпатичные)	Shallow (поверхностные) Unconvincing (неубедительные)
Special effects (спецэффекты)	Stunning (ошеломляющие) Impressive (впечатляющие)	Cheap (дешевые) Laughable (смехотворные) Poor (убогие) Amateurish (дилетантские)
Photography (работа оператора)	Outstanding (выдающаяся) Remarkable (замечательная)	Meaningless (бессмысленная)
Music (музыка)	Profound (проникновенная)	Unimaginative (лишенная воображения) Clichéd (клише)
Plot (сюжет)	Has a surprising twist (имеет неожиданный поворот сюжета)	Weak (слабый) Appalling (ужасный) Incoherent (бессвязный) Mediocre (посредственный)
Film (фильм)	Moving (вдохновляющий) Entertaining (развлекательный) Hilarious (смешной) Amusing (забавный) Exciting (захватывающий) Informative (информативный) Realistic (реалистичный) Gripping (захватывающий) Absorbing (увлекательный) Believable (правдоподобный)	Overcomplicated (слишком сложный) Predictable (предсказуемый) Confusing (запутывающий) Depressing (депрессивный) Humorless (без юмора) Slow-moving (вялотекущий) Far-fetched (надуманный)

Общие фразы для описания фильмов. A film can…

• boast a star-studded cast – похвастать звездным коллективом;
• explore (dare to tackle) many issues – исследовать (осмелиться решить) многие проблемы;
• do a commendable job translating the book to the screen – делать похвальную работу по адаптации (переводу) книги на экран;
• deal with controversial issues – иметь дело с противоречивыми проблемами;
• be a true classic of the silver screen – быть настоящей классикой киноэкрана;
• eclipse all preceding – затмить всех предшествующих;
• trigger a great deal of heated debates – вызвать много жарких дебатов;
• win universal approval – завоевывать всеобщее одобрение;
• bombard the viewer with scenes of suffering, upsetting or misleading information – «закидывать» зрителя сценами страданий, расстраивающей или неверной информацией.

Хотите порекомендовать фильм к просмотру или книгу к прочтению? Давайте сделаем это так:

• The interesting facts offered in this book/film make it stand out – интересные факты, представленные в фильме/книге, выделяют ее среди других.
• Don’t miss it – не пропусти.
• It will change the way you think – она поменяет ход ваших мыслей.
• It is well worth seeing/reading – сто́ит того, чтобы его посмотрели/прочитали.
• It is a masterpiece of its kind – это своего рода шедевр.
• It succeeds in… – преуспел в…
• It is highly entertaining read – очень развлекательное чтиво.

Как видите, вариантов написания рецензии на английском языке на книгу и фильм существует невероятное множество, и слово interesting можно теперь спокойно забыть. Данную лексику можно использовать не только при написании ревью, но и просто в разговоре, описывая свои впечатления от художественного произведения. Кроме того, во многих международных экзаменах по английскому языку (FCE, CAE, CPE) есть письменное задание – написать ревью. Для успешного выполнения этой письменной работы можно смело брать и заучивать фразы из статьи.

• О том, что представляют собой международные экзамены, упомянутые выше, читайте в моей статье «Кембриджские экзамены FCE, САЕ, CPE. Useful tips».

И напоследок предлагаем вам пройти тест, чтобы закрепить материал, на котором мы сфокусировались в этой статье:

Если вы нашли ошибку, пожалуйста, выделите фрагмент текста и нажмите Ctrl+Enter.

Вы уже умеете писать рецензию на книгу на английском языке и сегодня мы будем учиться писать рецензию на фильм на английском языке, что является довольно сложным заданием и вполне может встретиться вам на разных олимпиадах по английскому языку.

Рецензия на книгу и рецензия на фильм примерно одинаковы по сути, но немного отличаются в деталях (лексике). Вы можете использовать полезные выражения из этих двух заданий самостоятельно.

Итак, начнем.

Рецензия на фильм на английском языке

I. Структура (план)

1. Введение (режиссер, название фильма, положительное или отрицательное мнение в общих чертах)
2. Основная часть (краткое содержание, акцент на отдельных деталях)
3. Заключение (суммирование вышеизложенного, рекомендации)

II. Фразы и выражения. Useful Vocabulary for a Film Review

1. the producer — режиссер
2. The film ranks with … — Этот фильм стоит в одном ряду с
3. The action of the film is set in…. — Действие фильма разворачивается в …
4. The film starts with a scene — Фильм начинается со сцены…
5. fast-moving / slow-moving plot — стремительный / затянутый сюжет
6. be starring — играть в главной роли
7. the brilliant acting of … —  блестящая игра
8. What impressed me most is … — Самое большое впечатление на меня произвело
9. enhance [ɪn’hɑːn(t)s] the impression — усиливать впечатление
10. make an impression  — создавать впечатление
11. There is another storyline — В фильме есть еще одна сюжетная линия

---

The Review on the Film «Avatar» by James Cameron (образец)

The main film of the year 2009 is «Avatar» by James Cameron, the producer of such films as «Terminator», «Titanic», «The Strangers». This film ranks with above-mentioned world-famous films and probably belongs to the science-fiction genre.

The action of the film is set on the planet Pandora in the year of 3000. The plot is rather simple: the super hero Avatar is to save the alien planet and to fulfill this mission he struggles with a lot of difficulties.

The main character, Jack Sally, is a disabled navy who has just come back from the war. The film starts with the scene when he is invited to take part in a secret expedition to the planet, inhabited by weird creatures. Thus, he becomes the part of the programme called Avatar. Being turned into a a three-metre giant with blue skin, he is sent to the planet with the help of special «drivers» that link his mind to the mind of Avatar.

What impressed me most is the spectacular world of aliens that we, the audience, see through the eyes of the main character. The special effects and 3D technologies enhance the impression of the bright and colourful world in contrast to the human one, which is grey and dying. The plot of the film is fast-moving with some amusing episodes.

For those who are indifferent to the computer graphics, there is another storyline that is love of «the dream worker» to a beautiful female alien, who, being hostile and suspicious at first, falls in love with him. Such love is forbidden and as a result the pair is chased by the aliens. Happily, they managed to escape in the end. To my mind, the brillant acting of Sam Worthingdon, who is starring in the film, is above all expectations.

To sum up, I can say that the film «Avatar» is that kind of film that takes us to a special world beyond imagination. More than that,  it is the film that you want to watch over and over again. Definitely, the new film by Cameron couldn’t be missed.

Весь мир (а не только Россия) должен знать, что «Паразиты» получили «Оскара» незаслуженно и вообще Американская киноакадемия ничего не смыслит в кино. Мы собрали для вас (почти) всю нужную лексику, чтобы вы смогли написать на английском информативный отзыв о любом фильме.

Писать рецензии на фильмы — это приятная, а главное, бесплатная практика английского языка. Кто-то платит деньги репетиторам, чтобы они проверяли их эссе, а вы оставляете отзывы на фильмы и ждете комментариев умников — они обязательно найдут у вас ошибки, особенно если не согласны с вашим мнением.

Еще больше идей, как превратить просмотр фильмов и сериалов в изучение английского вы найдете в личном плане для киноманов. Внутри полезные советы (например, как смотреть фильмы, которые не подходят по уровню), ссылки на сайты и ютуб-каналы про кино, интерактивные упражнения, списки фильмов по уровням и даже приятные плюшки вроде заставок на телефон с любимыми героями. А знаете, чем наш план лучше нетфликса? Он бесплатный.

Хороший и полезный отзыв можно написать за четыре шага. Ничего не нужно придумывать: все необходимое у вас есть в голове, Википедии и этой статье.

Первым делом стоит кратко пересказать сюжет — storyline или даже просто story. Только держите себя в руках — не выдавайте, кто убийца, или хотя бы предупредите читателей, что впереди будут спойлеры: «Warning: contains spoilers» («Предупреждение: содержит спойлеры»). Небольшой лайфхак: если вы не знаете, например, как по-английски будет «воображаемый друг», а это важно для сюжета «Кролика Джоджо», идите на англоязычную версию Википедии. Переписывать дословно не стоит, а подсмотреть ключевые английские слова — можно.

Пересказывать сюжет во всех подробностях не стоит, лучше описать scenes (эпизоды, сцены), которые вас особенно впечатлили. Чтобы пояснить, о какой именно сцене идет речь, используйте фразы the scene where … (сцена, в которой…) или the scene when … (сцена, когда…). Если подобный эпизод в фильме был всего один — его точно ни с чем не перепутать, поставьте впереди существительное, описывающее происходящее: fight scene (сцена драки), sex scene (постельная сцена), chase scene (сцена погони). Здесь одним пересказом не обойтись — нужно обязательно добавить свои комментарии: удачный ли это plot twist (сюжетный поворот), чем запомнилась именно эта сцена, почему она важна для сюжета.

Представьте, что выходит фильм: в результате вируса помидоры по всей земле ожили и теперь стремятся уничтожить человечество. Полный бред. Но если в главных ролях Леонардо Ди Каприо и Брэд Питт, мы все дружненько пойдем в кино. Поэтому обязательно скажите пару слов об актерах в главных ролях — leads. Второстепенных персонажей тоже можно упомянуть, если кто-то показался особенно выдающимся, — supporting roles. Важно: самих персонажей фильма лучше называть characters; heroes живут во вселенных «Марвел» и DC.

Фильм не заканчивается на сюжете и героях. Напишите хотя бы пару слов о чем-то еще: саундтрек, костюмы и грим, декорации, спецэффекты. Вот небольшой словарик прилагательных вам в помощь.

Основная часть текста у вас уже есть, осталось эффектно закончить. В одном-двух предложениях подытожьте свои впечатления. Можете предположить, кому этот фильм наверняка понравится, а кому точно лучше воздержаться от просмотра. Вам пригодятся условные предложения первого типа: «if + you + Present Simple, you + Future Simple».

If you’re into clever humour, you’ll definitely enjoy this film.
Если вы цените интеллектуальный юмор, вам точно понравится этот фильм.

Чтобы текст получился связным и было сразу понятно, что это ваше личное мнение (а не Википедии), не забывайте время от времени использовать фразы вроде I think (я считаю). Только не уподобляйтесь Ходору из «Игры престолов» и не повторяйте без конца одно и то же.

По этому шаблону мы написали рецензию на фильм «Однажды в… Голливуде». Вот что получилось.

How to write a film review (true, professional, and comprehensive) and not be limited to the phrase “What a great movie!”? In this article, you will find answers to the next questions:

• What is a movie review? Its features. 
• How long is a movie review? 
• What functions does it perform? 
• What is the main purpose of a film review? 
• How to prepare for writing a review? 
• 10 questions you need to answer before you start writing. 
• How to write a movie review: a step-by-step guide. 
• Examples of reviews. 

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.

How long is a movie review? 

On average, the length of a film review is about 1000 words.

How many paragraphs does a movie review have? 

It is recommended that the film review should consist of 5-7 paragraphs.

Read also article “How to Write a Book Review: Step by Step and Examples”.

Features of Film Review 

A film review is a persuasive piece of writing, it has some features as:

1. A less formal style of writing. 
2. You need to write objectively about the film. 
3. But, on the other hand, movie reviews contain personal thoughts and feelings. 
4. The film review’s audience is wider and more diverse. 

Movie reviews can be written by two groups of reviewers: professional critics and ordinary consumers. Therefore, the text of the review will differ. In the first case, when the reviewer is a professional critic, he will describe the movie instead of evaluating it. While consumer critics mostly write from a personal perspective. 

What is the main purpose of a film review? 

The main purpose of a film review is to inform readers about the film (what can expect from it) and to help them determine if they want to watch the movie. 

Functions of Movie Review 

The film review performs several functions at once: it informs, analyzes, persuades, and entertains. If you can include all of these points in your review, then you will have an excellent result in the end. 

How to Write a Film Review: Preparation for Writing 

Writing a review is, of course, a creative process, but you should not forget about the analytical approach to creating a convincing and high-quality text. You must take the work responsibly, which we will do now.

To write a professional film review, you first need to complete the following preparation steps:

1. Of course, the first step is to find a film, if it has not been previously chosen by the manager/client/boss. There will be more chances to write a good review if the film was liked by both – film critics and you personally.
2. Watch the movie at least 2-3 times. After the first viewing, you will get a general impression of the picture, and try to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the film. Pay attention to the details the next time you watch it: the sound, the actor’s play, the editing, the plot. 
3. If you have difficulty understanding the events covered in the film (for example, historical), be sure to find additional information and research the topic.
4. If after two viewings you still do not have a final assessment of the film in the form of a brief thesis, watch the film again. You can look at other works of the director who worked on this film, this will help you determine his characteristic style. Also, as an option, you can look at the game of actors in other films (for comparison).
5. When watching a movie, take notes: key scenes, interesting plot twists, inconsistencies, details, and quotes. Then, based on them, you can build a review text, and a good quote can become an excellent epigraph.
6. Find information about the filming: location, duration, season, details about the filming process, difficulties the production team faced, casting, etc. Such information will make the review more attractive to readers.
7. If the film is nominated for awards and prizes, please include this information in your film review. For a potential viewer, such an assessment of the film will be a weighty argument in the direction of -> compulsory viewing.

10 Questions You Need to Answer Before You Start Writing a Movie Review 

1. Does the film split into multiple parts? A sequel, prequel, or one of the movie series? 
2. What is the film genre (action, comedy, historical, drama, fantasy, Western, political, thriller, gangster, horror, tragicomedy, romance, sports, mystery, science fiction)? Is the movie based on real or fictional events?
3. Did the screenplay writer create an exciting plot?
4. Is the rhythm of the film slow and quiet, heavy and static, or chaotic and frantic?
5. What is the film’s rating according to the MPAA? (G – General Audiences. All ages admitted. PG – Parental Guidance Suggested. PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned. R – Restricted. Under 17 requires an accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 – Adults Only.) 
6. Are there any films with a similar/same theme? Sometimes it is worth mentioning some of them in a review, as a comparison.
7. How can you characterize the work of a cinematographer? How accurately are the most expressive compositional, lighting solutions, as well as camera angles, selected and embodied?
8. Is the film entertaining or covers a serious themes?
9. Was the casting successful? Did all the actors cope with their roles?
10. Is the atmosphere of the film tense, mysterious, sinister, relaxed, or romantic?

The answers to all of the above questions will help you understand how to write a film review, and above all, create a draft version of your future review. But, of course, this is not enough for the final result.

How to Write a Film Review: Step by Step 

Writing a film review is a long and complicated process. Therefore, it is better to break it down into stages and move step by step. This will help you not to get lost and not get confused in the details.

1. The catchy introduction.

The introductory part of the review should contain important information about the film: title, director, release date, and genre. 

You can mention nominations and awards, as well as indicate the box office (if the numbers are impressive) and the cast. 

In addition to “technical” aspects and a simple presentation of the plot, it is necessary to express your impression of the film in the form of a thesis, for example, to tell:

• about the connection of the film’s central idea with current events and social problems;
• about the similarity of the film’s plot with a personal life situation, personal experience, and feelings;
• about the connection of technical elements (lighting, sound, editing) with the theme of the film.

2. Pass the verdict.

Do not torment the reader and express your opinion about the film in the first paragraphs of the review.

You should not leave all the most interesting “for later”. If you decide to give a final assessment of the film at the end of the review, what are the chances that the reader will read to this end?

3. Write a summary of the plot.

Choose 4-5 main events.

Avoid the film’s ending and spoilers. Keep the intrigue. If you want to spoil and share an unusual story development, warn the reader about this.

4. Bring the feelings.

In addition to presenting the plot of the film, you should add emotions to the text of the review and show what you felt while watching it.

5. Define the main purpose of the movie. 

Perhaps the film’s purpose is hidden in its plot. Or maybe the film does not pretend to solve global problems at all. Perhaps the film is entertaining, and this is its advantage – it is relaxed and simple.

Sometimes the main idea of a serious and deep film can be found in an interview with a film crew, a screenwriter, or a director.

6. Add some details of the filmmaking process. 

It is important to know the measure and not to overdo it with the terminology. Here’s what you can write about:

• Cinematography: visual mood, lighting elements, shot sizes and widths, camera angles, etc. 
• Sound. The main goal is to create the necessary atmosphere in the film. Sound in movies includes music, dialogue, sound effects, ambient noise, background noise, and soundtracks. 
• Editing is the creation of a finished motion picture from many shot scenes. A film editor must creatively work with the layers of images, story, dialogue, music, pacing, as well as the actors’ performances to effectively “re-imagine” and even rewrite the film to craft a cohesive whole.
• Mise-en-scène (from French – placement on the stage) is the mutual arrangement of the actors and their environment on the set, natural or pavilion. Mise-en-scene includes landscapes, visual effects, the psychological state of the characters, etc.

7. The deep meaning.

You may be able to spot specific symbolic items, repetitive moments, or key phrases that give depth to the film.

8. Give examples.

It is not enough to say “an excellent game of actors”. Explain what exactly caught your attention (appearance, facial expressions, costumes, or movements of the actor). 

9. A convincing conclusion.

Write about the moments in the film that made the biggest impression on you. Share a recommendation. To whom and why do you advise to watch this movie?

10. Reread the review text several times.

Edit, and correct mistakes that can spoil the impression even from a professionally written film review.

Examples of Film Reviews

To consolidate the received information, let’s move from theory to practice. Below are two examples of film reviews.

Example 1

Apocalypse Now

Review by Roger Ebert

Francis Ford Coppola’s film “Apocalypse Now” was inspired by Heart of Darkness, a novel by Joseph Conrad about a European named Kurtz who penetrated to the farthest reaches of the Congo and established himself like a god. A boat sets out to find him, and on the journey the narrator gradually loses confidence in orderly civilization; he is oppressed by the great weight of the jungle all around him, a pitiless Darwinian testing ground in which each living thing tries every day not to be eaten.

What is found at the end of the journey is not Kurtz so much as what Kurtz found: that all of our days and ways are a fragile structure perched uneasily atop the hungry jaws of nature that will thoughtlessly devour us. A happy life is a daily reprieve from this knowledge.

A week ago I was in Calcutta, where I saw mile upon square mile of squatter camps in which hundreds of thousands live generation after generation in leaky huts of plastic, cardboard and scrap metal, in poverty so absolute it is impossible to see any hope of escape. I do not mean to equate the misery of those hopeless people with a movie; that would be indecent. But I was deeply shaken by what I saw, and realized how precious and precarious is a happy life. And in such a mood I watched “Apocalypse Now” and came to the scene where Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) tells Capt. Willard (Martin Sheen) about “the horror.”

Kurtz is a decorated hero, one of the best soldiers in the Army, who has created a jungle sanctuary upriver inside enemy territory, and rules Montagnard tribesmen as his private army. He tells Willard about a day when his Special Forces men inoculated the children of a village against polio: “This old man came running after us and he was crying, he couldn’t see. We went back there, and they had come and hacked off every inoculated arm. There they were in a pile, a pile of little arms. . . .”

What Kurtz learned is that the Viet Cong were willing to go to greater lengths to win: “Then I realized they were stronger than we. They have the strength, the strength to do that. If I had 10 divisions of those men, then our troubles here would be over very quickly. You have to have men who are moral and at the same time who are able to utilize their primordial instincts to kill without feeling, without passion, without judgment.” This is the “horror” that Kurtz has found, and it threatens to envelop Willard, too.

The whole movie is a journey toward Willard’s understanding of how Kurtz, one of the Army’s best soldiers, penetrated the reality of war to such a depth that he could not look any longer without madness and despair.

The film has one of the most haunting endings in cinema, a poetic evocation of what Kurtz has discovered, and what we hope not to discover for ourselves. The river journey creates enormous anticipation about Kurtz, and Brando fulfills it. When the film was released in 1979, his casting was criticized and his enormous paycheck of $1 million was much discussed, but it’s clear he was the correct choice, not only because of his stature as an icon, but because of his voice, which enters the film from darkness or half-light, repeating the words of T.S. Eliot’s despairing “The Hollow Men.” That voice sets the final tone of the film.

Source: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-apocalypse-now-1979

Example 2

Film review: example

Diana biopic Spencer wobbles between the bold and the bad

By Nicholas Barber

You may feel that you’ve had enough of Princess Diana’s story on the big and small screens, what with Naomi Watts taking the role in Oliver Hirschbiegel’s awful Diana in 2013, and then Emma Corrin playing her in the most recent season of The Crown, with the mantel set to be passed in Elizabeth Debicki in the next run. But, to give it its due, Pablo Larraín’s Spencer marks the only time the People’s Princess has been shown delivering a lecture on Anne Boleyn to an old coat that she has just stolen off a scarecrow, and then having a chat with the ghost of Boleyn herself shortly afterwards. The Chilean director doesn’t go in for conventional biopics, as anyone who has seen Jackie (starring Natalie Portman) or Neruda will know. And here again he has gone for a surreal portrait of his iconic subject. The snag is that his experimental art house spirit keeps bumping up against the naffness and the familiarity of British films set in stately homes, so his psychodrama ends up being both ground-breaking and rib-tickling.

It’s set over three days in 1991, from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, at Sandringham House in Norfolk. The rest of the Royal Family has arrived for their holiday in a fleet of chauffeur-driven cars, but Diana (Kristen Stewart) rocks up on her own in a Porsche convertible, having taken a detour to visit the aforementioned scarecrow: her dilapidated childhood home, from the days when she was Lady Diana Spencer, is a field or two away from Sandringham. Her late arrival concerns the sympathetic head chef (Sean Harris) and bothers the Scottish army veteran (Timothy Spall) who has the job of ensuring that everything goes the way the Queen wants it to. Her Majesty’s insufferable Christmas traditions include weighing all the guests when they arrive and when they leave to ensure that they’ve been sufficiently gluttonous. But Diana is in no mood for festive japes. Her Christmas present from Charles (Jack Farthing) – a necklace with pearls the size of golf balls – is identical to the one he has given his mistress. And the whisper in the servants’ quarters is that the Princess is “cracking up”. The filmmakers apparently agree.

Steering away from the same territory as The Crown, Larraín and Knight don’t fill the film with awkward meals and heated arguments (although there are one of each of those). Prince Charles does some grumbling, but the Queen has hardly any lines and Prince Philip has none: they are closer to menacing waxworks than people. For most of the time, Diana is either talking to her young sons, her trusted personal dresser (Sally Hawkins) or to herself. It’s interesting, this lack of dramatic conflict and discernible plot, but it can leave the film seeming as listless and purposeless as Larraín’s Diana herself. Her favourite occupation is to wander around the estate until she finds something that has an ominous symbolic connection to her, and then make an unconvincing speech about it. Ah, pheasants! So beautiful, yet bred to be killed!

Stewart is such inspired casting that she makes all this eccentric nonsense watchable. She’s been practising Diana’s signature moves for years – dipped head, hunched shoulders – and she certainly knows what it’s like to put up with intrusive tabloid photographers. She also looks suitably fabulous in the many outfits that Diana is required to wear over the long weekend. And unlike Watts’s performance in 2013, hers doesn’t seem distractingly like an impersonation. Mind you, she delivers all her lines in little bursts of hissing whispers, so if you don’t see it with English subtitles, as its first audiences did at the Venice Film Festival, you might not understand more than half of what she says.

The effect is a bit odd, but there are lots of odd things in the film, not least the tone and the pacing, which lurch around like someone who’s had too much after-dinner port. Between Jonny Greenwood’s squalling jazz soundtrack, the hallucinations, and the blush-making sexual confessions, Spencer is a folly that wobbles between the bold and the bad, the disturbingly gothic and the just plain silly. In some scenes, it’s heart-rending in its depiction of Diana’s self-harm and bulimia. In others, it’s almost as risible as the Diana biopic from 2013, and that’s saying something. I didn’t know any more about Diana afterwards than I did beforehand, but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. This is a film that echoes The Shining at the start and 2001: A Space Odyssey at the end. The Crown Christmas Special it ain’t.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210903-diana-biopic-spencer-wobbles-between-the-bold-and-the-bad

Sources of information: 

• “The Film Analysis Handbook” by Thomas Caldwell. 
• https://payforwriting.com/writing/creating-review/how-to-write-movie-review
• www.mtsu.edu
• www.sciencedirect.com/science
• Image:  freepik.com
• Poster from the film Apocalypse Now: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_Now

Infographics was created in visual editor Canva.

Try Canva Pro Today

Are you looking for a reliable essay writing service? Our writers will write a college essay for money for you.

Content of this article

1. Movie review writing guide
2. Forrest Gump analysis (example)
3. Review structure
   • Intro
   • Body
   • Recommendation
   • Conclusion
4. Polishing
5. More examples
   • Martian (Movie Review Sample)
   • The Shawshank Redemption (Movie Review Sample)
   • Star Trek (Movie Review Sample)
   • Man of Steel (Movie Review Sample)
6. Movie related essay samples

1. Movie Review Writing

A lot of people like movies and films. These things add thrill and imaginations to our lives. This, therefore, makes us come to the conclusion that a movie is worth a review if it has been watched. Everyone has a different opinion on the movies they watch – the ratings can range from being great to good or even bad. Thought there are an increasing number of movie sites available on the Internet (some of which are authoritative, others less so (more below)), movie reviews and reviewers are still very much in demand for their own unique takes on a movie. The different types of reviewers can offer different types of writing, which is something that is good in a market which is rapidly becoming over-saturated. Everyone can review a movie, but there are still some differences between the reviewing done by experts, and reviewing done by amateurs – the amateurs are not usually focused on the minutiae of the film in the same way, and are instead focused more on the general ideas presented.

The primary purpose of movie review writing is to give the reader a rough idea of what the movie is about. The movie review greatly determines if an individual wants to watch the movie or not. This type of writing should, therefore, be detailed enough to assist the reader in making an honest decision. As much as the review is based on elaborating the movie review outline, it should not give away the plot of the movie or the surprises that make the movie enjoyable. Opinions on a movie need to be stated clearly, good or bad. If the review is to be brief, stars and scores can also be used to express the reviewer’s thoughts. A good writer should, therefore, have the basic knowledge of how to write a movie review.

Examples include:

• Great movie: Almost Christmas is a movie that has balanced all its features to make a great movie. All the characters fit their roles and make the plot come to life. The costumes and the soundtracks are a plus as they enhance the emotions and feelings of every story line. Almost Christmas is, therefore, a movie worth watching.
• Good movie: London has Fallen is an okay movie. The graphics were on point as well as the sound effects. The cast, however, I felt weren’t up to the task, and did not bring out the feel of the movie. The actors, therefore, led to what was otherwise quite a good time-killing movie (if not a good movie overall) being let down. Additionally, the plot was difficult to comprehend.
• Bad movie: No matter how much you watch Central Intelligence, you can’t get a hold of the movie. The stunts are overrated, and the storyline is off, making the movie boring. The movie is a definite no, and not even worth spending time watching when there is nothing else to watch on TV. Definitely a flop.

2. Complete analysis (Forrest Gump)

• Plot analysis: the movie falls in the genre of modern fiction (modern history is generally considered to stretch from the fifteenth century up, although this category is further divided into early modern (1500s to 1700s) and late modern (1700s to present), with Tom Hanks playing the role of Forrest Gump. His character moves through history and survives all the hardships with decency and honesty.
• Soundtrack analysis: the soundtrack reflects the mood that was popular at the time, which, in turn, creates urgency. The songs are great hits and are appropriate for children to listen to as well. The soundtrack helps to illustrate the transitions of the film’s locations – from warm and safe territory to a more hostile borders. For instance, the song by Fleetwood (Go Your Way) is used to illustrate how Forrest is joined by his friends in his journey. The soundtrack is an integral part of the movie experience, as it brings an emotional centre-point to the move by helping people to better understand just how high the stakes are in certain scenes. The soundtrack is also to convey the terrifying nature of the war scenes, thus helping the movie to pack even more of an emotional punch.
• Atmosphere: later on in the movie, the atmosphere changes – the troops go out on patrol and are far away from their bases which are safe. The atmosphere becomes tense, and at the same time captivating. Having the atmosphere change throughout a movie emphasises that what is happening is actually serious and will have consequences, and the movie Forrest Gump is no different. If the atmosphere is incorrect, then, the movie will not feel so real to the people who are watching it. the movie starts with the atmosphere of the beach party. Music is playing in the background, and people are enjoying barbecue and playing cards. The troops are not left behind as they are seen loading crates of beers in their trucks.
• The main idea of the film: The main idea portrayed in Forrest Gump is that life is filled with unknown surprises. This is substantially illustrated by Forrest Gump himself, who is just a country boy with learning difficulties. Forrest, however, does not let this obstacle define him, and goes to great lengths to be a relevant person in history. The film, while containing some darkness and violence due to the war and its aftermath, is therefore an uplifting and invigorating film, as it shows how people can prevail against all odds, and even thrive. A film needs to have one (or possibly two, though more is of course harder to maintain) main idea if it is to remain coherent throughout.
• Actors play analysis: Tom Hanks fits the role perfectly as he manages to express the love for the country. He portrays the feelings of sadness and comedy at the same time. Forrest, therefore, makes the movie interesting. Tom Hanks is a strong actor, and it is mainly due to his efforts as the lead which make the film as powerful and memorable as it is.

3. Review structure

The structure of a movie review follows the basic steps of the introduction, the body (analysis), the recommendation and the movie review conclusion. A movie review writing guide gives the writer instructions on how to write a movie review. The movie review structure is as follows.

3.1 The introduction

A movie review should open up with an introduction. The introduction is the most appealing way of how to start a movie review, and contains the summary of the movie and opinion that will be stated. Movie review writing hooks give the readers a general feel of what will be illustrated in the review. The introduction for a movie review has to be appealing, so that the reader can get the feel of wanting to read more.

Give a brief illustration of what will be discussed in the review and then proceed to the thesis. Ensure that the thesis is original and at the same time based on the analysis. The thesis for a movie review should be compelling and reflect on a contemporary issue, while the argument should go beyond the plot and straight to the film criticism. Illustrate both the message of the movie and how the film connects to an individual.  The thesis paragraph can be followed up with a short summary plot. The section will also give an overview of what will be contained in the body.

3.2 Body paragraphs (analysis)

The analysis covers the fails and accomplishments within the movie, and also gives the writer a chance to express their feelings towards it. The cinematography, acting, the setting, and soundtrack can also be discussed in this section. Ensure that the writing is smooth and easy to comprehend. For the review to seem realistic and professional, present facts and opinions in the same page, and try to use examples that are descriptive in order to bring the plot to life. Dialogue snippets can and should be quoted to give the review snappiness. You can add a few movie review tips such as giving the language used some personality, in order to create a style which will reflect a unique perspective to entertain the reader.

3.3 Recommendation

A movie review structure can also have a recommendation. The recommendation gives the writers a chance to commend the film and decide if it’s worth the money.

3.4 Conclusion

The conclusion for a movie review should be in a position to be tied up with the thesis. The conclusion should also offer guidance of whether to watch the film or not. There are a number of ways of how to end a movie review. However, the most effective style is to make it compelling and at the same time entertaining.

4. Polishing the review

The review is polished through editing. The final content should go hand in hand with the movie review draft. Fine tune the review to ensure it is in line with the thesis. Ensure that the content has enough examples to back up the claims. You should also proofread the review to eliminate any spelling mistakes and errors that can be avoided – movie review writing needs to be precise and free of errors. Finally, share the review with friends and family and see if it has an impact on their opinions of the movie.

5. More examples

5.1 Martian review

• Download in PDF
• Download in DOCX

5.2 The Shawshank Redemption review

• Download in PDF
• Download in DOCX

5.3 Star Trek review

• Download in PDF
• Download in DOCX

5.4 Man of Steel review

• Download in PDF
• Download in DOCX

• My favorite movie: Titanic
• “Forrest Gump” Movie Review Sample
• “I Robot” Moive Review
• Book vs Movie
• Life is a beautiful movie
• “The Hobbit” Movie Review