Top 8 things You Need to Know on How to Write a Movie Review
You enjoy going to the movies. It's a good idea to arrive early and take in the trailers, making mental notes about which of the upcoming attractions you'd like to see.
You enjoy going to the movies. It's a good idea to arrive early and take in the trailers, making mental notes about which of the upcoming attractions you'd like to see. After the movie, you invite your friends to stay and discuss the film's highlights, low points, and most intriguing elements.
It's possible that if this sounds like you, you're already a film critic. However, organizing your thoughts takes time and effort, so having a starting point is helpful. Everything you need to know about writing movie reviews is here:
1 . Specifics are crucial in some cases.
In the world of film criticism, there is no one-size-fits-all formula. However, the following points should be noted by anyone who reads your review:
- I'm curious to know who directed the film.
- How many people were in it?
- Are they a sequel, adaptation, or remake?
Source : How to Write a Movie Review + Interesting Examples - EduBirdie
At the very top of each film review, publications such as Variety simply list who directed the film and who starred in it. The New Yorker, where Anthony Lane reigns supreme, for example, weaves in such information throughout the piece.
If you decide to go this route, be sure to include some he[]lpful context along the way. The Shape of Water may not be familiar to every reader, but mentioning earlier works like Pan's Labyrinth might pique some readers' interest in Guillermo del Toro.
A little advice: You can use Grammarly to avoid misspellings, grammatical and punctuation errors, and words that are spelled correctly but used in the wrong context thanks to algorithms developed by the world's leading linguists. Inquire further
2. Other details can be omitted if desired.
Don't overdo it when it comes to providing context. For the most part, you don't need to rehash the entire filmography of anyone you're interested in. You're also doing it wrong if your review includes a detailed synopsis of the film's plot.
It's important to clarify whether the film is a soft-spoken arthouse film or the latest installment in the ever-growing pantheon of big-budget superhero flicks, and whether it takes place in the 9th century or on Mars. Beyond that, spoiling the twist that sets up the third act is almost never a benefit to the reader. Make sure there is some ambiguity left in the story.
Source : 9 Tips for Writing a Film Review | Student Resources
3. How do I know what to include?
It can be helpful to ask yourself: If I leave out this detail, and the reader later discovers it elsewhere, will they feel like I let them down?
Greta Gerwig's character, Saoirse Ronan's protagonist, is based on her own experience at Sacramento's Catholic school, and you don't want anyone to finish your review of Lady Bird before you've seen it.
Your audience has already read your review, so this should not come as a surprise.
4. Ratings systems may be overestimated, according to some.
Film reviews are a matter of personal preference. A+, 9/10 or solid four coffins out of six feet under isn't the only way to rate movies.
In fact, many movie buffs scoff at the idea of only awarding one prize for best picture, whether it's an Oscar or not. The argument goes that comparing Get Out or The Post to Dunkirk is ridiculous.
As opposed to searching for a numerical value, describe what a movie reminded you of, or how it didn't quite connect with you, and why.
Source : How to write a Movie Review? The Complete Guide - Edusson ...
5. Observe and learn from those who have gone before you.
You can find a plethora of movie reviews online, but it's best to narrow your search to one or two critics whose work you find particularly compelling. Every week, take a look at what they've been up to. Be on the lookout for trends. Try to pay attention to what they're noticing.
When a reviewer praises something outlandish, it can be the most insightful. No, I wouldn't have put my money on Lane praising a film about a 1980s Canadian metal band.
It's worth remembering every name in the preceding paragraph, as well as Amy Nicholson, who has long been a fan of Kael and a veteran critic. With a rotating cast of brilliant critics, her podcast The Canon debates which films deserve to live on forever, sometimes pitting classics against each other.
6. If you haven't thought about..., your job isn't finished.
Your readers will have more faith in your writing if you approach movies from a broader perspective. What matters most to your audience isn't what you think about martial arts or victorian fashion; it's what they think about the story.
In Blade Runner 2049, for example, many moviegoers are looking for the robots, uppercuts, and noir, but a good critic is also aware of the visual storytelling—the buildup to the villains' evil, for example, or the occasional comedic moment between Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling.
Source : 7 Tips for Writing a Film Review
7. You'd be remiss if you didn't pay attention to this:
- An actor's ability to perform
- Whether or not the camerawork drew you in and seemed deliberate.
- Whether or not the world appeared to be inhabited.
There is one more piece of advice we can give you if all that seems like too much to keep in your head until the movie is over and you can get back to your writing:
8. Take a few minutes to jot down some notes.
Using a smartphone or tablet to scribble down ideas on a glowing screen in a dark theater is generally frowned upon, and you may be asked to leave. As a result, film critics whose careers predate these devices have devised this alternative—just take a notebook and pen.
Deciphering what you've written in the dark may take some time (and practice). When the lights come on, go back through your notes and add clarification or additional details while your memory is still fresh.
As a rule of thumb, don't write in the dark unless it's for an important project. The free Grammarly app can help you polish your reviews before you publish them. You can learn more about it by clicking on this link.
Source : Everything You Need to Know on How to Write a Movie Review