Writing a movie review though challenging for some students can
be quite easy. What you should know is that the format of presenting a review
are the same which makes it an interesting task. Here we offer a step-by-step
process of how to write a good film review or how to write an introduction
for a movie review that any student can follow:
·
Watch the movie: Before you can review any film, you must
watch it. You cannot review a motion picture you have not watched. Therefore,
for success watch the film at least twice. Note: do not watch it like you’re a
regular moviegoer or movie enthusiast. Be focused and conscious through the
film. Take notes if necessary.
You will need to take
notes hence have a notebook and pen handy. Record all events and characters
(major and minor). Try to be meticulous do not overlook anything.
·
Research the movie: Watching the film should give you the
overview and feel of the movie. With that, it should be easy and exciting to
research the movie. The research augments what you have watched in the movie.
In your research, you should find out who the filmmaker is, what prompted the
making of the movie, the characterization, historical events the lead to the
film, location, plot and so on.
If you are aware of
the details behind the movie, the movie will be more understandable and
engaging. Note also that if you do not understand the movie you cannot move to
the next step which involves analysis. Try not to proceed to the next step
unless you vividly understand the movie. If it entails watching it again until
you fully get it, do it. The following should form part of your findings
regarding the film:
1.
Genre
2.
Title and year
3.
Names of the lead actors
4.
Name of the director
5.
Title of the book (if based on a book)
·
Draft the review outline: Draft an outline with which you will
write the review. The overview will help you organize your review concisely and
logically. The outline is more like the skeletal frame on which the whole study
will stand. A good draft will yield a perfect report, and the reverse is also
true.
An outline enhances
the quality of the film review, and it is essential you have your outline
before you start writing. A sample outline looks like this:
1. Introduction
·
Title
·
Date released
·
Background info
·
Cast
·
Director
2. Summary of the
story
3. Analysis of the
plot elements (read also: guide about a critical analysis for
movies)
4. Creative elements
5. Opinions (add
examples to back up your claims)
·
Characters
·
Camera techniques
·
Dialogues
·
Colors
·
Mood
·
Tone
·
Symbols
·
Costumes
·
Special effects and so on
6. Conclusion
·
Analyze the movie: After fully understanding the movie, you
can start its analysis. Critically evaluate the film from the beginning to the
end, noting every detail. While analyzing, if you observed any confusing part,
re-watch to grasp the idea portrayed there fully. After you fully understand
it, then you are set to write the movie review. To write a decent analysis, you
need to know how to write a film critique.
·
Augment Your Review with Examples: While watching the
movie, your observations should be supported with examples, i.e., mention
scenes the event took place. If the plot is faulty, mention it but state
examples to support that claim. You can also mention poorly developed
characters evident in the movie and others. Everything you observed in the film
must be noted.
Examples of notables
include locations, faulty or beautiful dialogues, quotes that appeal to you,
poorly made speeches, bloopers, editing errors and so on. Do take note that it
is not enough to make general statements about how awesome or awful the movie
is, you must support your claim with evidence in the film. That is why it is
called a movie review and not opinion sampling interview about the movie.
·
Comment on the originality of the movie: Finally mention the
uniqueness of the film which you noticed in the one you’ve watched. But even if
the movie happens to be a standard feature with conventional approaches, you
can still mention this as well. A regular film is still a film.
·
Write Your Review: With all the fact gathered above, you can now
use the outline to write your film review. Make every part easy and
enjoyable to read. Importantly, make the introduction engaging and captivating.
You should go for a grand opening that will grab the attention of any reader. A
good opening keeps the reader on the article.
Let us assume your
introduction is watertight and engaging; any sloppy body will lose your reader.
Hence, make the body informative and engaging. The review aims to reveal as much
information as possible. Therefore, do your best to give all the details in the
film to the reader. Engage your analytic mind.
Another essential part
of the review is the closing or conclusion. Here you give your view about the
movie with evidence revealed in the body. Connect the conclusion with the
introduction creatively.
·
Edit Your Final Draft: After writing your first version of the
review, you can re-write the final one after editing. With the help of free grammar check online you
can check the final draft for spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and so on.
Ensure sentences connects logically to each other and watch the format used.
Make a final comparison of your work with the requirement by your professor or
lecturer, you might also need to use a paraphrasing tool online to make a paper
unique.
With the help of free word counter check the number of
words required and cut them if more than needed but if not, add relevant
information to make them up. Do not add irrelevant details for the sake of
space. Ensure your final submitted draft is well edited, polished,
plagiarism-free and presented in the recommended format or style.
Tips
to Follow While Writing a Movie Review
Since a movie review essay requires dedication and time
investment, you might want to know the special tips to get you through the
assignment seamlessly. Do recall that perfect conclusion of this assignment
will add to your grades, hence the need to take it seriously. If you wish to
know How to write a movie critique easily, then this section will tell you
that.
The useful tips you should consider are as follows:
·
Watch the film at least two times
·
If you have seen it before, make sure you re-watch it for the
assignment.
·
Watch the movie not as a moviegoer but with an analytic mindset
of a professional reviewer
·
Pay attention to details
·
Take notes as you watch
·
Don’t be in a rush - take your time, but be aware of the
deadline
·
Do not write out of the contest of your coursework
·
Follow the requirements of your professor
·
Use an outline to organize your work
·
Start working on the body of your film review first and the introduction
next
·
Write an engaging introduction and a powerful closing.
·
Never forget to edit your work.