Fancy being the next Roger Ebert? Then check out the latest blockbuster or arthouse flick, and let the world know what you think! But what goes into a good film review? We have a few review writing tips to share:
Read on to find out how to put these tips into practice in your next review.
When we say you should watch the movie you’re planning to review, we mean you need to really watch it. No popcorn. No whispering to friends. Just eyes on the screen. Ideally, you should even try to see the film more than once before reviewing it (although this isn’t always possible).
You may also want to take notes so you can use them when writing a review. Do this on paper, though; no illuminated screens! And it is usually better to save note taking for a second viewing, as you might miss something first time round if you’re busy scribbling in a notebook.
Who you are writing for will have a big influence on how you write. Most importantly, you need to think about how much your target audience already knows about cinematic techniques and history.
For example, saying that a scene ‘evokes memories of Eisenstein’s approach to montage, manipulating the viewer by juxtaposing images of hope and fear’ would be fine if you were writing for an audience familiar with cinematic theory (e.g. film students or professionals).
But such remarks may be lost on a general audience, who might just want to know whether it’s worth paying to catch the new Mission Impossible at the cinema. As such, you should think about what your readers might want to know and tailor your review accordingly.
A movie works on multiple levels, all of which should factor into your review. Questions you might want to ask yourself include:
This isn’t to say you can’t write about whether you enjoyed the film, too. Most people are happy to overlook, e.g., some dodgy acting if they’re enjoying the spectacle of a Hollywood blockbuster. So how much you focus on each of the above may depend on what you’re watching.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
Watching a film more than once can be very helpful in this respect. The first time, you can watch it as a regular ‘viewer’, thinking about the overall film and how much you enjoyed it. And if you see it again, you can focus on specific elements of the film in more detail, taking notes as you watch.
Letting your reader know whether you liked a film is, of course, a big part of reviewing it. You can even use a score or star rating, offering a simple summary of your overall opinion of the movie.
However, you should also explain why you like or dislike it. Is it the story? The performances? Something else? The amount you write to back up your opinions will vary depending on the type of review. A 200-word summary will have less detail than a longer review essay, for instance. But you should always try to offer some insight on why the film succeeds or fails.
You can even refer to specific scenes to explain yourself. However, if you do plan to go into detail about a movie you are reviewing, you may want to check out our next tip first…
Following on from the last point, if you mention particular scenes or details from a film, try not to give away story spoilers. Obviously, this is more important for new films than old classics. And if you’re writing an in-depth critique, you will almost certainly enter spoiler territory. This is fine.
However, if you do mention anything that could spoil the story for new viewers, make sure to provide a spoiler warning before you give it away! Your reader can then decide whether to read on.
We hope this post has helped you with your film review. And if you need someone to proofread your writing, we’re always here to help!
Δ
4-minute read
Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...
2-minute read
Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...
No matter your industry, conducting market research helps you keep up to date with shifting...
In a world where you need to stand out, press releases are key to being...
3-minute read
In the United States, the US Patent and Trademarks Office issues patents. In the United...
A visually appealing and user-friendly website is essential for success in today’s competitive ecommerce landscape....