How to write a good movie review?

A movie review is a very common assignment among high school and college students, Even though many students think that it’s a simple task, a proper movie review is quite different from your comments about movies on social media. Writing a good review takes some time, and you should approach this task well-prepared.

Writing a movie review is a complex process so it requires proper organization. Therefore, there’s no surprise that, for many students, the main question is how to write a movie review without getting stuck because of all the details of this process.

Students who fail to write it by themselves may be tempted to use a writing service to get a movie review written for them. Reliable essay writing companies that write book and movie reviews can be found via review sites like betterwritingservices.com. However, it is always better to write it yourself if you have enough time to do that. To help you with it, we prepared this step-by-step guide.

1. Write a catchy introduction

First, your introduction should provide your readers with some crucial information. Secondly, it should be catchy enough so your audience will want to keep reading. Mention the title and genre of the movie, the director’s name, some awards, the budget and box office, etc. Focus on facts that are actually impressive or interesting.

The introduction should also feature your thesis statement. It will serve as the basis for the entire review and express its main idea. For example, the thesis statement may focus on the connection between the movie’s topics and relevant events or issues. You may also build your thesis statement around the similarities between the plot and your personal experience. Besides, you can focus your review on the formal elements and the way they complement the thematic aspects.

2. Provide some evaluation

Let your readers quickly understand what you think about this movie, in general. They may not want to read the whole thing so make sure they will at least know your opinion. Don’t save your personal evaluation for the conclusion, but provide it at the beginning. This way, it will also be easier for you to build a concise yet clear argument.

3. Summarize the plot

This is a tricky task because you shouldn’t write “spoilers.” Focus on a few most important events that will give your audience a general understanding of what happens in the movie but won’t ruin their experience if they decide to watch it. If you really need to mention some significant plot twists, you can warn your readers about it.

4. Describe your general impression

The plot summary helps readers understand what the movie is about, but your review should also tell them what you felt and what you think about it. Describe the emotions that you felt when watching specific scenes, write about the moment that made you feel something special. This way, you will add a personal touch to your review and make it more engaging. Write about your associations: what did this movie make you think about?

5. Define the purpose of the movie

Movies can address multiple topics, but usually, they have the main underlying idea. Ask yourself, why do you think this movie was created? Sometimes, it might be easy to understand the purpose of a movie from the plot. Sometimes, the general purpose might be not obvious so you may want to do some research.

Read interviews with the director, producer, and screenwriter. Consider relevant issues and events. Many movies are purely entertaining. In this case, you don’t need to search for some hidden meaning. Keep in mind that sometimes, simplicity is exactly what makes movies enjoyable.

6. Provide some details

Every good movie review should also address the formal elements. Focus on a few elements of filmmaking that make this movie special. Don’t overuse specific terminology because your review should be easy to read. Consider cinematography — this term describes what cameras do during the filming process. Think of camera angles, distances, and movement.

Another interesting element is the sound. Consider the soundtrack and the way the sound complements the video content. Does it create suspense? Does it make events more dramatic? Are there any off-screen commentaries or elements of storytelling?

You may also consider editing. What approaches did the editor use? Are connections between different scenes and camera angles smooth? Is editing dynamic enough? What creative approaches did the editor use?

7. Write a good conclusion

Briefly summarize your entire review. Remind your readers what you liked or disliked about the movie. Tell them who you think would enjoy this movie and why. After reading the conclusion, your readers should be able to decide whether or not they should watch this movie.

Final Thoughts

Even though writing a good movie review requires some preparation and takes some time, our guide might help you understand what your review should look like and what to focus on. Don’t forget to support your opinions with specific examples to make your review credible. Make sure to only include relevant information, and dedicate some time to editing and proofreading. Poor grammar and spelling can completely ruin an impression of your movie review so make sure that it looks professional.