How to Write a Movie Review

Movie reviews are used to help others determine if a movie is worth seeing. After you
watch Citizen Kane, you are going to write a 5 paragraph movie review.

Paragraph #1 – Overall Impression

Start with your overall impression of the film. In this paragraph you should also mention
the name of the movie, the genre, the director and perhaps one or more of the main
actors. Try to include the basic “boilerplate” information about the film at the beginning
of your review. One of the first things a reviewer looks for is what is the film's setting, its
tone and genre, when it was made, and who is the director and major actors.

Paragraph #2 – Plot
Briefly describe the plot of the movie without giving away the ending. This should be a
very brief outline which mentions the setting, the conflict(s), the main characters and
their personality and if the conflict was resolved satisfactorily. A film reviewer always
assumes that the reader hasn't seen the movie and tries not to give away the climax or
ending.

Paragraph #3 – Strengths
Write about the strengths or the strongest aspects of the movie. This could be the
directing, the acting, characters, photography, plot, originality. Provide a specific
example from the film. A good review not only summarizes but evaluates and critiques a
movie. In addition, a good review uses scenes and dialogue from the movie to support its
larger argument.

Paragraph #4 – Weaknesses
Write about the movie’s weakness or the shortcomings of the movie. Where does the
movie fail to impress the moviegoer. Again provide a specific example from the film.

Paragraph #5 – Final Comments

After all the comments, should the reader watch the film or not? When writing your film
reviews, use the * system, from * to **** stars. Support your opinion by summarizing
points already mentioned in your review.

Your film review should be between 500 and 750 words long, or between 2 and 3 1/2
pages long.

A good film review is not just a summary of a movie, but a critical analysis that examines
why and how a film works and whether the movie succeeds in its presentation. When
writing your review, try to remember there are a number of different approaches to
writing a review: 1) a plot-driven review, 2) a thematic or idea- driven review, or 3) a
director- or actor-driven review. A good film review can even contain elements of all
three different approaches.

This is due on ____________________________________________________________