Film Review Assessment
How to Write a Film Review
Opening: Catch the reader’s attention
Think about how advertisements sell movies: “trailers” show you a few seconds of the movie to get you interested.
When you begin your movie review, make your own “trailer.” If you liked the movie, then your trailer should make people want to see it. If you didn’t like it, then your trailer should explain what you didn’t like about the film. Remember, you are trying to make the reader side with you. If you liked the film then you are going to make the reader want to like the film.
Begin your review by retelling an incident or moment from the movie which you think captures the spirit of the movie as you understood it.
Alternative: begin your review with another kind of story or interesting fact – about one of the star actors, or about the making of the film, or about the director.
Think about how advertisements sell movies: “trailers” show you a few seconds of the movie to get you interested.
When you begin your movie review, make your own “trailer.” If you liked the movie, then your trailer should make people want to see it. If you didn’t like it, then your trailer should explain what you didn’t like about the film. Remember, you are trying to make the reader side with you. If you liked the film then you are going to make the reader want to like the film.
Begin your review by retelling an incident or moment from the movie which you think captures the spirit of the movie as you understood it.
Alternative: begin your review with another kind of story or interesting fact – about one of the star actors, or about the making of the film, or about the director.
Tips for Writing your Introduction:
This is an example of what your first two sentences could look like:
A story of hope is just about the last thing you'd expect to find in a prison
movie. However, in The Shawshank Redemption, that's exactly what you get.
walls of the prison
In this above sentence I have used a simile (figurative language) and both subtly alluded to Andy's escape and the hopeful ocean he escapes to. I have mentioned a key theme, hope, and discussed elements of the plot.
A story of hope is just about the last thing you'd expect to find in a prison
movie. However, in The Shawshank Redemption, that's exactly what you get.
- Start with a short, catchy sentence. Or possibly a pun.
- What did you like/dislike most about the film? Briefly describe the best/worst things of the film.
- REMEMBER: Keep your sentences short!
- Hint to plot twists - You don't have to actually say Andy is innocent, but you can mention that he may be innocent.
- Use a key quote to highlight something you liked/disliked.
- REMEMBER: You are trying to catch the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading. It is hard to obtain the reader's attention the same way these film trailers do, but by including examples of figurative language you can also paint a picture for the reader.
walls of the prison
In this above sentence I have used a simile (figurative language) and both subtly alluded to Andy's escape and the hopeful ocean he escapes to. I have mentioned a key theme, hope, and discussed elements of the plot.
Second Paragraph: Take care of business
Near the beginning of the review, you have to tell the reader all about the obligatory stuff – the title of the movie, the director, the studio, the main actors, the year it was made, the rating as you will give it your own rating at the end of the review. This paragraph tells the reader the things they have to know about the film. Also, in one sentence or two, you should explain very simply what the movie is all about – not necessarily what happens, but that might work, too, if you can say it in a few sentences.
Near the beginning of the review, you have to tell the reader all about the obligatory stuff – the title of the movie, the director, the studio, the main actors, the year it was made, the rating as you will give it your own rating at the end of the review. This paragraph tells the reader the things they have to know about the film. Also, in one sentence or two, you should explain very simply what the movie is all about – not necessarily what happens, but that might work, too, if you can say it in a few sentences.
Collecting Information
Release date/year: 1994
Director: Frank Darabont
Writer: Frank Darabont (screen play) and Stephen King (based on his story)
Whether the film is based on a novel (and the name of the author): Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (short story), by Stephen King
Main actors: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, James Whitmore
Setting (time and place): Ohio, USA. Mansfield Reformatory
Genre: Drama, crime
Tips for Writing your Second Paragraph:
This is an example of what your second paragraph could look like:
The Shawshank Redemption was filmed in 1994 and is a theatrical adaptation of Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. The film utilizes an all-star acting cast, perhaps not entirely restricted to the novella’s description, but Morgan Freeman’s witty comment concerning the ‘Irish’ heritage of his character leaves the audience mesmerized by his emotive performance. Director Frank Darabont doesn't disappoint, being an experienced conjurer of King adaptations, he holds The Green Mile and The Mist firmly under his directorial belt.
The Shawshank Redemption was filmed in 1994 and is a theatrical adaptation of Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. The film utilizes an all-star acting cast, perhaps not entirely restricted to the novella’s description, but Morgan Freeman’s witty comment concerning the ‘Irish’ heritage of his character leaves the audience mesmerized by his emotive performance. Director Frank Darabont doesn't disappoint, being an experienced conjurer of King adaptations, he holds The Green Mile and The Mist firmly under his directorial belt.
- You may choose to talk about one specific informative aspect of the film, for example you may only want to talk about the actors and the quality of their performance, or you may only want to discuss the novel to film adaptation and whether the film does justice to the Stephen King novella.
- Or you may chose to write one sentence about each of these informative aspects, for example you may write about the actors, the director, the adaptation, the setting, the genre, etc.
Third Paragraph: Character and plot summary
What happens in the movie? Look at your plot graphs and timeline for ideas. You shouldn't tell everything that happens, and especially not the ending, but you want to summarise the basic plot of the movie (in more detail than you do in the paragraph above). One way to do this might be to write a sentence on each character.
What happens in the movie? Look at your plot graphs and timeline for ideas. You shouldn't tell everything that happens, and especially not the ending, but you want to summarise the basic plot of the movie (in more detail than you do in the paragraph above). One way to do this might be to write a sentence on each character.
Use these links to find helpful information concerning the plot and characters
Blank Character Profile and Tension Graph Templates
for download
Blank Character Profile Template | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Blank Tension Graph Template | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Tips for Writing your Third Paragraph:
This is an example of what your third paragraph could look like:
The film follows the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Andy is shipped to a maximum-security prison in Shawshank, Maine, for two consecutive life sentences. Over the next years (two hours, movie time), he finds his way to inner peace and self-reliance in the midst of the terror and inequity of the prison system. The Shawshank Redemption is also a classic theatrical example of both art and magic. The film paints the picture of an ostracised man who will not relinquish the only thing that cannot be taken from him by external forces: hope. And yet, like Andy, the audience is completely enveloped by Shawshank. From the first shot of the prison, an utterly gothic structure that assaults you with a sense of foreboding, the viewer discovers a sense of how grim life inside must be. You experience a prison life composed of routine and debasement.
The film follows the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Andy is shipped to a maximum-security prison in Shawshank, Maine, for two consecutive life sentences. Over the next years (two hours, movie time), he finds his way to inner peace and self-reliance in the midst of the terror and inequity of the prison system. The Shawshank Redemption is also a classic theatrical example of both art and magic. The film paints the picture of an ostracised man who will not relinquish the only thing that cannot be taken from him by external forces: hope. And yet, like Andy, the audience is completely enveloped by Shawshank. From the first shot of the prison, an utterly gothic structure that assaults you with a sense of foreboding, the viewer discovers a sense of how grim life inside must be. You experience a prison life composed of routine and debasement.
- If you are going to talk about the close analysis of Tommy's death scene in paragraph 4 - you MUST use this paragraph to introduce Andy (who he is, why he is in prison, why he is important to the Warden, that his innocence is unknown), the Warden (his corrupt nature) and Tommy (symbol of change in the prison as he represents all of the societal changes on the outside/ also he symbolises youthfulness).
- If you are going to talk about a specific theme in paragraph 4 - you MUST use this paragraph to summarise the plot of the film, or a main character relating to your chosen theme. For example, if you were going to talk about hope in the film you may want to describe the bleakness of the prison and the harsh realities - you may even include a description of Brooks and the hopelessness of his life outside of the prison (so that in your next paragraph you would contrast these events by talking about the way in which hope overcomes and changes the prison). Or, as seen in the example paragraph, you could describe the life and experiences of Andy within the prison - as Andy comes to personify the theme of hope throughout the film.
Fourth Paragraph: A key moment or idea
In this paragraph, go into detail about something important that interested you about the movie. If you really liked the soundtrack, talk about that. If you wanted to focus on specific themes, such as hope (I know!) or freedom, you could talk about the role of music or the bird symbolism used throughout the film. Concepts of institutionalisation and corruption within the prison hierarchy may also be used within the paragraph. Or you may chose a key moment in the film and explain why it is important, for example the close analysis of Tommy’s death scene would be highly appropriate. Make sure your explanation contains a film technique (camera angle, symbolism, colour, etc) and shows knowledge of film metalanguage. In this paragraph you must go into depth about the movie.
In this paragraph, go into detail about something important that interested you about the movie. If you really liked the soundtrack, talk about that. If you wanted to focus on specific themes, such as hope (I know!) or freedom, you could talk about the role of music or the bird symbolism used throughout the film. Concepts of institutionalisation and corruption within the prison hierarchy may also be used within the paragraph. Or you may chose a key moment in the film and explain why it is important, for example the close analysis of Tommy’s death scene would be highly appropriate. Make sure your explanation contains a film technique (camera angle, symbolism, colour, etc) and shows knowledge of film metalanguage. In this paragraph you must go into depth about the movie.
This paragraph must include:
For example:
Scene
Example of the opening sentences of the fourth paragraph:
Hope is embedded within The Shawshank Redemption through the presence of music. The moment that Andy played the aged, timeworn opera vinyl and rebelliously turned on the speakers for the whole prison to hear, this thematic device was not only implanted within the mind of the viewer, but in that moment “every last man in Shawshank felt free”. The symbolic representation of music is further used to signify the growing sense of hope within the harsh setting of the prison as Red, alone in his prison cell, plays a single note on the harmonica given to him by Andy. Andy becomes a facilitator of this thematic aspect throughout the film, allowing hope to manifest within …
- A description of a theme present throughout the film or a specific scene
- A technique used to convey this scene and how is used
- Explanation of the effect of this technique
- Why this theme or scene is important to the film (eg, how does the audience react?)
For example:
Scene
- Describe Tommy's death scene
- Discuss the use of light within the scene (who is presented in shadow? what type of lighting is used?)
- Explanation of how the lighting is used to represent the nature of the characters
- This scene is important because hope is embodied within Tommy’s character, as he can offer Andy a new chance of achieving freedom. This horrible act makes the audience want to see Andy not only escape, but also take revenge on the Warden, etc
- Describe how hope is present throughout the film
- Hope is embedded through the use of music, ie Andy plays the opera music, Red plays the harmonica
- You may want to include Andy's metaphor for hope - that music is eternal and it is something that the prison can never take away from them
- Hope is an important theme as it keeps Andy fighting for his freedom, de-institutionalises Red, etc
Example of the opening sentences of the fourth paragraph:
Hope is embedded within The Shawshank Redemption through the presence of music. The moment that Andy played the aged, timeworn opera vinyl and rebelliously turned on the speakers for the whole prison to hear, this thematic device was not only implanted within the mind of the viewer, but in that moment “every last man in Shawshank felt free”. The symbolic representation of music is further used to signify the growing sense of hope within the harsh setting of the prison as Red, alone in his prison cell, plays a single note on the harmonica given to him by Andy. Andy becomes a facilitator of this thematic aspect throughout the film, allowing hope to manifest within …
Fifth Paragraph: Evaluate the film
Do you recommend it or not? Who will like it (kids or adults or both)? The most important thing here is that you must also explain why you are making your recommendation. You must support your opinion – and that opinion should grow out of what you write in the rest of the review. Give at least two reasons why you liked or didn't like the film.
Do you recommend it or not? Who will like it (kids or adults or both)? The most important thing here is that you must also explain why you are making your recommendation. You must support your opinion – and that opinion should grow out of what you write in the rest of the review. Give at least two reasons why you liked or didn't like the film.
Tips for Writing your Fifth Paragraph:
This is an example of what your fifth paragraph could look like:
The performances in Shawshank are top notch, and the commentary upon the justice system is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. But it's not a perfect movie. Shawshank's script falls short at times -- I suppose such happens when using a Stephen King novella as the source for a serious movie. Shawshank's characters are, to a certain extent, just well-formulated clichés. There's Red (Morgan Freeman), the convict who knows how to "get things," who actually says at one point, "I suppose there's a convict like me in every prison." Andy is the stereotype of the innocent man doing time for a crime he did not commit. The story is basically predictable. The dialogue has a propensity to get preachy.
Despite these flaws, The Shawshank Redemption is a film with remarkable staying power. It sustains its suspense and tension throughout; its remarkably hopeful story is thoroughly engrossing. In the end of it all, Andy will escape Shawshank. You will escape Shawshank. But you will not escape The Shawshank Redemption.
The new special edition DVD includes commentary from director Frank Darabont, two making-of documentaries, and a spoof of the film called The Sharktank Redemption, among other goodies.
(by James Brundage, Filmcritic.com)
The performances in Shawshank are top notch, and the commentary upon the justice system is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. But it's not a perfect movie. Shawshank's script falls short at times -- I suppose such happens when using a Stephen King novella as the source for a serious movie. Shawshank's characters are, to a certain extent, just well-formulated clichés. There's Red (Morgan Freeman), the convict who knows how to "get things," who actually says at one point, "I suppose there's a convict like me in every prison." Andy is the stereotype of the innocent man doing time for a crime he did not commit. The story is basically predictable. The dialogue has a propensity to get preachy.
Despite these flaws, The Shawshank Redemption is a film with remarkable staying power. It sustains its suspense and tension throughout; its remarkably hopeful story is thoroughly engrossing. In the end of it all, Andy will escape Shawshank. You will escape Shawshank. But you will not escape The Shawshank Redemption.
The new special edition DVD includes commentary from director Frank Darabont, two making-of documentaries, and a spoof of the film called The Sharktank Redemption, among other goodies.
(by James Brundage, Filmcritic.com)
- Look at the above review and consider the voice of the reviewer – has he clearly stated his opinion of the movie?
- This is also a great review to look at, as he points out both positive and negative aspects of the film. Remember, you do not have to say you liked the film, but you must include evidence to back up your argument.
- Use this paragraph to talk about your favourite elements of the film and whether you would recommend the film.
- You must include your own personal opinion and thoughts on the film. This is where your voice will be most heard.