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The Best Movie Review Templates | Free, PDF, Printable & More

Movie review templates are great tools to streamline the movie-reviewing process. A well-structured template can help you organize your thoughts and ideas, and ensure that your review is coherent and engaging. Check out some of the movie review templates below!

Free Printable Movie Review Templates

film review template

Movies Watched Log

List the movies you’ve watched and your ratings of them with this cute and simple movie log template.

free printable movie review template

Aesthetic Movie Review Template

This aesthetic movie review template is an easy way to detail and documents your opinions on a film.

template movie review

Movie Review Template for Students

Looking for a way to keep your students engaged and critical of a movie? Look no further than this straightforward film review template for students!

sheets film review template journal copy

Movie Review Template for Students 2.0

An alternative film template for students, this movie review worksheet allows more space for critical thought on a film.

Editable Film Review Templates

docs film review template

Movie Log Template Google Docs

sheets film review template 1

Movie Log Template Google Sheets

movie collection template

Movie Review Template Word & Google Docs

Watch the demo

Movie Review Journal

sheets film review template journal

Movie Journal Template

Create stunning movie reviews with this one-of-a-kind guided movie review journal. You gotta see how great it looks on the inside!

See the Inside!

MOVIE REVIEW TEMPLATES

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How to Write a Movie Review

How to Write a Movie Review

movie review template for college students

Writing a Film Review

Movies have become a cultural mainstay of our society. Not only are they art and entertainment, but they have also become a way for people to bond and make connections. Finding someone who has a similar taste in movies can create new friendships and start interesting conversations. That's why understanding how to analyze a movie and write movie reviews is such a useful skill. 

Do you need to know how to write a movie review for college? Or how to write a movie critique? Or maybe just how to do a movie review? In this article, you will learn how to write a movie review step by step, as well as get an in-depth guide into each section of a movie review.

What is a Movie Review?

A film review essay is more than just a plot summary followed by a recommendation. A movie review analyzes different elements of a movie and mixes personal opinion with objective analysis. The goal of the movie review is to tell the reader about the details of a movie while giving them enough information to decide for themselves whether it's worth watching or not. Of course, a good movie review also has to be interesting and engaging! 

How to Write a Good Movie Review

More than most other pieces of writing, there are a lot of steps to take before actually getting into writing a movie review. But don't worry though, most of these steps are pretty fun and if you follow them, you will know how to review movies. 

Watch the film! 

It goes without saying that you need to watch a movie before you write a review for it, so, before you do anything else, watch the movie at least once. Don't worry about trying to pick up specific details on your first watch, just enjoy the movie and get a general impression of whether you liked it or not and what you liked or disliked. Ideally, you should watch the movie at least two times. On your second and third viewings, pay attention to movie review criteria like cinematography, acting, dialogue, character development, deeper meanings, etc. Read some film review examples to get a sense of the things they talk about.

Pause the movie on your second and third viewings and take notes on things that stand out to you. Don't be afraid to take as many notes as you want, after all these notes are just for you.  You might not use all the notes you have taken, but they will help you compose the main part of your body paragraphs.

Express your opinions

Once you have watched the movie a few times and taken notes, make a list of the strongest opinions you have about the movie. If you think that the quality of acting was one of the best parts of the movie, use your notes to come up with specific examples. You should have between 3 and 5 key opinions that you will elaborate on when writing a film review along with examples to back up your claims.

Think about your audience

The language you use is going to change based on who you are writing the movie review for. If it is an assignment for school or university, then you may have to use more technical language.  If you're writing an article for a website or personal blog, then think about who the audience is and use language appropriate for them. Keep in mind that your audience also depends on the genre of the movie you are critiquing. A movie review for a serious period drama will have a different audience than a buddy cop comedy and therefore different language. Look at a movie review sample from different genres to get an idea of the type of language to use. 

Research the actors

Having big movie stars associated with a film is often one of the main selling points of a movie.  If an actor is critically acclaimed, it’s especially important to mention the awards they have won as this is often a sign of the overall quality of the movie. It's also possible that you didn't like the movie overall, but one of your favorite actors was in it so you enjoyed the movie and another fan might enjoy it too. 

Do background research

An easy way to make a movie review interesting is to search for interesting details about the making of the movie. It may be worth mentioning if it was shot in a particularly beautiful place or a unique location, or if the special effects were practical rather than CGI. Include interesting casting decisions or other actors that were considered for a particular role. Think about what information could be interesting to someone who might want to watch the movie and include those details. Go over some movie critique examples to get inspiration. 

Research the professionals

People can be fans not just of the actors, but of directors, writers, cinematographers, costume designers, and many other elements of filmmaking. Many directors are auteurs, which means they have a very particular visual style or storytelling method. How much time you spend on this section is dependent on your audience. If you're writing for social media or a blog for general people, then this might not be interesting to most. But if you're writing for film school or for a specific audience interested in filmmaking, then this section will need to be more elaborate. Look at a film review example written for different audiences to understand the differences. 

Draft an outline

Now that you've done all the required research, it's time to come up with a review outline. An outline is always useful when doing any piece of writing because it gives you a  chance to visualize the structure and plan how you want to incorporate information. This is the general film review format.

Introduction

  • Brief summary of the film
  • Discuss plot, tone, characters
  • Discuss creative and technical elements
  • Your opinions

Conclusion 

Come up with a catchy title.

Almost more than any other piece of writing, a movie review’s title needs to be engaging. A title like ”film review of (name of the movie) might be to the point, but isn't going to stand out. A good title should grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more. A few ways you can do this is by talking about a specific actor or director, or by using one of the main plot points of the movie. For example, “A Romantic Comedy for the Unromantic”,  or “Chris Pratt Plays Against Type in the Best Possible Way”. Look at the titles of some movie review examples for inspiration!

Write your review

It's finally time to get to the actual writing! The next part of this article talks in-depth about each section of a film review. 

People aren't going to take a review seriously if you have spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. If it's an assignment for school, then you’re going to lose marks because of mistakes like that. Make sure you reread your paper a few times and check for typos and other silly mistakes.  Read the paper out loud once or twice to get an idea of if it has a good flow. Don't be afraid to move sections around if you think it helps you build a stronger case.

Struggling with the Film Review?

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How to Write a Film Review

Do you want a ‘how to write a movie review’ template? Let's go over the specific parts of a film review and what to include in each one.

Your first sentence needs to capture the reader's attention. You can do this by stating an interesting fact about the movie, starting off by expressing your opinion of whether it's good or bad, mentioning some of the important actors, comparing it to other movies in the genre or to real-world events, whatever it is, make sure it's catchy!

Next, give background information about the movie. This includes things like the title, release date, studio, important cast members, director, budget, etc. Make sure to highlight any achievements of the movie, for example, if it was nominated for any awards. The same goes for the director as well as important members of the cast. This shouldn't just be a dry stating of facts, rather this should be a collection of interesting information about the background of the movie. 

Finally, end your introduction paragraph with your thesis. In the case of a film review, your thesis is essentially what you thought about the film. Without giving away too much, express your overall impression of the movie noting particular things that you thought stood out or were weak.

Summary of the story

The trick to writing the summary of the story is giving readers an idea of what to expect without giving away any important plot points or spoilers. The goal of this section isn't to explain the plot of the movie, It's to make sure that people have a basic understanding of the story so that the rest of the review can make sense. Describe the setting of the movie, which includes the main locations and time period. Introduce the main characters (including the name of the actor in parentheses after the name of their character). And go over the general storyline. 

Plot elements

This is when you start explaining what you thought about the movie. Start with an analysis of the plot itself. Did it have a rising action that builds suspense? Was the climax a good payoff? What were your overall impressions of the movie? How did it make you feel? What do you think the purpose of the movie was and did the director succeed in their goal? 

This is also the section where you get to talk about the different characters in the movie. Why did you enjoy certain characters? Were some characters better developed than others? Could some characters have benefited from more development? Was the villain particularly interesting? 

Think about the overall mood of the movie, did it change over time? How did the tones and symbols of the movie emphasize elements of the plot? Remember that any point you make in this section has to be backed up by examples. So if you say that there are several plot holes that make the movie complicated to understand, mention the specific scenes.

Creative elements

There are a lot of technical and creative elements in a movie that can stand out even if the overall plot and story weren’t the best. On the other hand, even a great story can be spoiled by bad dialogue or set design. These are some of the creative elements you should pay attention to especially when rewatching the movie and taking notes.

Dialogue : This can refer to the overall writing of the movie as well. If you can get your hands on a script then read it! When thinking about dialogue ask yourself, did the conversation between characters seem natural and flow easily? Or did it seem choppy and unnatural? 

Cinematography : Cinematography refers to the camera effects and the choices of how to film a certain scene. The lighting, the choice of camera angles, essentially the unique perspective of the story as told through the camera. 

Editing : Editing refers to the transition between different scenes as well as how well the movie flows together. This could include things like clever montages, longshots, different perspectives, etc.  

Costumes : Some movies, especially historical movies, fantasy films, and science fiction films, depend heavily on costume design. Costumes are an integral part of making a character stand out or making the world seem more real.

Set Design : Set design refers to the backgrounds of scenes. Some sets might be more elaborate whereas others can be minimalistic. Each choice has its pros and cons and effective set design creates proper ambiance, setting the tone and mood for a scene or the movie.

Music and Sound : Sometimes the movie has a great soundtrack or just incredible sound effects that help make it stand out.

Stunts : More important for action movies, but in general stunts and action sequences can be a major selling point for a film.

Special Effects : Most movies rely on some amount of special effects, and whether it be CGI, or practical, or a combination of the two, the quality is important.

Once you have analyzed multiple different elements of the story from its plot, characterization, and other technical and creative elements, you can state your opinions and provide evidence for them. Make sure you refer to specific scenes or specific situations when looking for substantiating evidence. Remember that the goal of a movie review is not to just state whether you liked or disliked a movie, it is to analyze it in an objective way, and give information so that somebody else can decide whether they want to watch the movie or not.

In the conclusion you express your main opinion of the movie along with the most important pieces of evidence. You can talk about the purpose of the movie and whether the director was successful in showing that purpose. End with a recommendation of whether the movie should be watched or not, along with suggestions of movies that are similar to it.

Did you like our Film Review Guide?

For more help, tap into our pool of professional writers and get expert essay editing services!

Mistakes to avoid

You now know how to write a review on a movie but let's take a look at some mistakes that you should be careful to avoid.

Not focusing on the film

It's easy to start writing about things like the historical events the movie you loved is based on or the importance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe overall rather than focus on the movie itself.  While those elements can be interesting to include as background information, the point of a film review is to go over a particular movie so that is what you should spend the most time on.

Not providing evidence 

A common mistake people make when they write movie reviews is to state their opinions without any objective analysis. An easy way to overcome this mistake is to make sure that you provide evidence for any claims that you make.

Spoilers are an easy way to make sure that people will be upset with your movie review. It is common to accidentally give away too much, especially when writing the plot summary. Find the line between giving enough information so that people understand the general story and revealing important plot twists and turning points. Read some sample movie reviews for examples of how to avoid spoilers.

Using personal pronouns

Statements like “I did not like the special effects” or “I did not like the pacing of the movie” are clearly expressions of opinion. It is better to make statements like “the special effects in certain action scenes were cartoonish and took away from the realism of the film”. 

A movie review essay can be incredibly fun to write, especially if you have a strong opinion about the movie. But keep in mind that a movie review isn't just about your opinion, it has to include an objective analysis with claims backed up by evidence from specific scenes. It's difficult to have a movie review definition, but a great movie review is a blend between personal opinion and objective analysis. It informs the reader about the strengths and weaknesses of the movie while letting them make the decision whether they want to watch it or not. 

If you found your way to this article because you were looking for help on how to write a movie review for college, then you're in the perfect place. If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out to the experts at Studyfy. At Studyfy, we offer a wide range of custom writing services, coursework writing services, and essay writer service . Our team of experienced writers is well-equipped to handle any writing task you may have, no matter the complexity or urgency. Just say, " write a paper for me ," and we will ensure that you receive a high-quality custom essay that meets all your requirements. Trust us to provide you with the best coursework writing services and custom essay writing that will help you achieve your academic goals.

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How to Write a Movie Review

Last Updated: March 13, 2024 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 179 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,580,788 times. Learn more...

Whether a movie is a rotten tomato or a brilliant work of art, if people are watching it, it's worth critiquing. A decent movie review should entertain, persuade and inform, providing an original opinion without giving away too much of the plot. A great movie review can be a work of art in its own right. Read on to learn how to analyze a movie like a professional film critic, come up with an interesting thesis, and write a review as entertaining as your source material.

Sample Movie Reviews

movie review template for college students

Writing an Intro for a Movie Review

Step 1 Start with a compelling fact, quote, or opinion on the movie.

  • Comparison to Relevant Event or Movie: "Every day, our leaders, politicians, and pundits call for "revenge"– against terrorist groups, against international rivals, against other political parties. But few of them understand the cold, destructive, and ultimately hollow thrill of revenge as well as the characters of Blue Ruin. "
  • Review in a nutshell: "Despite a compelling lead performance by Tom Hanks and a great soundtrack, Forrest Gump never gets out of the shadow of its weak plot and questionable premise."
  • Context or Background Information: " Boyhood might be the first movie made where knowing how it was produced–slowly, over 12 years, with the same actors–is just as crucial as the movie itself."

Step 2 Give a clear, well-established opinion early on.

  • Using stars, a score out of 10 or 100, or the simple thumbs-up and thumbs-down is a quick way to give your thoughts. You then write about why you chose that rating.
  • Great Movie: ABC is the rare movie that succeeds on almost every level, where each character, scene, costume, and joke firing on all cylinders to make a film worth repeated viewings."
  • Bad Movie: "It doesn't matter how much you enjoy kung-fu and karate films: with 47 Ronin, you're better off saving your money, your popcorn, and time."
  • Okay Movie: "I loved the wildly uneven Interstellar far more than I should have, but that doesn't mean it is perfect. Ultimately, the utter awe and spectacle of space swept me through the admittedly heavy-handed plotting and dialogue."

Step 3 Support your opinions with evidence from specific scenes.

  • Great: "Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer's chemistry would carry Fruitvale Station even if the script wasn't as good. The mid-movie prison scene in particular, where the camera never leaves their faces, shows how much they can convey with nothing but their eyelids, the flashing tension of neck muscles, and a barely cracking voice."
  • Bad: " Jurassic World's biggest flaw, a complete lack of relatable female characters, is only further underscored by a laughably unrealistic shot of our heroine running away from a dinosaur – in heels."
  • Okay: "At the end of the day, Snowpiercer can't decide what kind of movie it wants to be. The attention to detail in fight scenes, where every weapon, lightbulb, and slick patch of ground is accounted for, doesn't translate to an ending that seems powerful but ultimately says little of substance."

Step 4 Create an original...

  • Does the film reflect on a current event or contemporary issue? It could be the director's way of engaging in a bigger conversation. Look for ways to relate the content of the film to the "real" world.
  • Does the film seem to have a message, or does it attempt to elicit a specific response or emotion from the audience? You could discuss whether or not it achieves its own goals.
  • Does the film connect with you on a personal level? You could write a review stemming from your own feelings and weave in some personal stories to make it interesting for your readers.

Composing Your Review

Step 1 Follow your thesis paragraph with a short plot summary.

  • When you name characters in your plot summary, list the actors' names directly afterward in parenthesis.
  • Find a place to mention the director's name and the full movie title.
  • If you feel you must discuss information that might "spoil" things for readers, warn them first.

Step 2 Start to talk about the film’s technical and artistic choices.

  • Cinematography: " Her is a world drenched in color, using bright, soft reds and oranges alongside calming whites and grays that both build, and slowly strip away, the feelings of love between the protagonists. Every frame feels like a painting worth sitting in."
  • Tone: "Despite the insane loneliness and high stakes of being stuck alone on Mars, The Martian's witty script keeps humor and excitement alive in every scene. Space may be dangerous and scary, but the joy of scientific discovery is intoxicating."
  • Music and Sound: " No Country For Old Men's bold decision to skip music entirely pays off in spades. The eerie silence of the desert, punctuated by the brief spells of violent, up-close-and-personal sound effects of hunter and hunted, keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat."
  • Acting: "While he's fantastic whenever he's on the move, using his cool stoicism to counteract the rampaging bus, Keanu Reeves can't quite match his costar in the quiet moments of Speed, which falter under his expressionless gaze."

Step 3 Move into your...

  • Keep your writing clear and easy to understand. Don't use too much technical filmmaking jargon, and make your language crisp and accessible.
  • Present both the facts and your opinion. For example, you might state something such as, "The Baroque background music was a jarring contrast to the 20th century setting." This is a lot more informative then simply saying, "The music was a strange choice for the movie."

Step 4 Use plenty of examples to back up your points.

  • Great: "In the end, even the characters of Blue Ruin know how pointless their feud is. But revenge, much like every taut minute of this thriller, is far too addictive to give up until the bitter end.""
  • Bad: "Much like the oft-mentioned "box of chocolates", Forest Gump has a couple of good little morsels. But most of the scenes, too sweet by half, should have been in the trash long before this movie was put out."
  • Okay: "Without the novel, even revolutionary concept, Boyhood may not be a great movie. It might not even be "good.” But the power the film finds in the beauty of passing time and little, inconsequential moments – moments that could only be captured over 12 years of shooting – make Linklater's latest an essential film for anyone interested in the art of film."

Polishing Your Piece

Step 1 Edit your review.

  • Ask yourself whether your review stayed true to your thesis. Did your conclusion tie back in with the initial ideas you proposed?
  • Decide whether your review contains enough details about the movie. You may need to go back and add more description here and there to give readers a better sense of what the movie's about.
  • Decide whether your review is interesting enough as a stand-alone piece of writing. Did you contribute something original to this discussion? What will readers gain from reading your review that they couldn't from simply watching the movie?

Step 2 Proofread your review.

Studying Your Source Material

Step 1 Gather basic facts about the movie.

  • The title of the film, and the year it came out.
  • The director's name.
  • The names of the lead actors.

Step 2 Take notes on the movie as you watch it.

  • Make a note every time something sticks out to you, whether it's good or bad. This could be costuming, makeup, set design, music, etc. Think about how this detail relates to the rest of the movie and what it means in the context of your review.
  • Take note of patterns you begin to notice as the movie unfolds.
  • Use the pause button frequently so you make sure not to miss anything, and rewind as necessary.

Step 3 Analyze the mechanics of the movie.

  • Direction: Consider the director and how he or she choose to portray/explain the events in the story. If the movie was slow, or didn't include things you thought were necessary, you can attribute this to the director. If you've seen other movies directed by the same person, compare them and determine which you like the most.
  • Cinematography: What techniques were used to film the movie? What setting and background elements helped to create a certain tone?
  • Writing: Evaluate the script, including dialogue and characterization. Did you feel like the plot was inventive and unpredictable or boring and weak? Did the characters' words seem credible to you?
  • Editing: Was the movie choppy or did it flow smoothly from scene to scene? Did they incorporate a montage to help build the story? And was this obstructive to the narrative or did it help it? Did they use long cuts to help accentuate an actor's acting ability or many reaction shots to show a group's reaction to an event or dialogue? If visual effects were used were the plates well-chosen and were the composited effects part of a seamless experience? (Whether the effects looked realistic or not is not the jurisdiction of an editor, however, they do choose the footage to be sent off to the compositors, so this could still affect the film.)
  • Costume design: Did the clothing choices fit the style of the movie? Did they contribute to the overall tone, rather than digressing from it?
  • Set design: Consider how the setting of the film influenced its other elements. Did it add or subtract from the experience for you? If the movie was filmed in a real place, was this location well-chosen?
  • Score or soundtrack: Did it work with the scenes? Was it over/under-used? Was it suspenseful? Amusing? Irritating? A soundtrack can make or break a movie, especially if the songs have a particular message or meaning to them.

Step 4 Watch it one more time.

Community Q&A

wikiHow Staff Editor

  • If you don't like the movie, don't be abusive and mean. If possible, avoid watching the movies that you would surely hate. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
  • Understand that just because the movie isn't to your taste, that doesn't mean you should give it a bad review. A good reviewer helps people find movie's they will like. Since you don't have the same taste in movies as everyone else, you need to be able to tell people if they will enjoy the movie, even if you didn't. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Structure is very important; try categorizing the different parts of the film and commenting on each of those individually. Deciding how good each thing is will help you come to a more accurate conclusion. For example, things like acting, special effects, cinematography, think about how good each of those are. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

movie review template for college students

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  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/terminology_and_starting_prompts.html
  • ↑ https://www.spiritofbaraka.com/how-write-a-movie-review
  • ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/9-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/
  • ↑ https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/writing-help/top-tips-for-writing-a-review
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/summary-using-it-wisely/
  • ↑ https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/film-review-1.original.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.dailywritingtips.com/7-tips-for-writing-a-film-review/
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/film_writing_sample_analysis.html
  • ↑ https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/onnyx.bei/dual-credit/movie-review-writing-guide
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-movie-review/
  • ↑ https://gustavus.edu/writingcenter/handoutdocs/editing_proofreading.php
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
  • ↑ https://edusson.com/blog/how-to-write-movie-review

About This Article

To write a movie review, start with a compelling fact or opinion to hook your readers, like "Despite a great performance by Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump never overcomes its weak plot." Then, elaborate on your opinion of the movie right off the bat so readers know where you stand. Once your opinion is clear, provide examples from the movie that prove your point, like specific scenes, dialogue, songs, or camera shots. To learn how to study a film closely before you write a review, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Movie Review for College

Adela B.

Table of contents

You’ve been asked to watch the recently released movie, Joker.

You squeal with joy. “Best assignment ever,” you say, and the next thing you know, you’re asked to write a movie review on it.

If only reviewing a movie was as enjoyable as watching it. Am I right, or am I right?

You might know by now that writing a movie review for college isn’t all fun and games. It’s serious business - just like any other academic writing assignment.

A movie review is meant to be a holistic evaluation and analysis of the movie. You’re expected to share your opinion on the technical and creative aspects while providing thorough evidence to back up your statements.

The purpose of a film review is to help the reader decide whether they need to watch it. There is no right or wrong point of view - everything depends on your approach, attention to detail, and how you choose to demonstrate your personal opinions.

If you’re stressing about how to write a movie review for college - read on to learn how you can ace this assignment and submit a winning review.

How to Write a Movie Review for College in 6 Steps

Writing a movie review helps instructors review your critical thinking, analytical, and evaluation skills. It takes careful planning and exemplary writing skills.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on writing a movie review for college (and doing a great job at it!).

Watch the Movie (More Than Once) and Take Notes

Remember - you’re watching the film as a critic and not as just another audience which means you need to be extremely vigilant while watching it.

When you sit down to watch the movie, sit with a notebook and make it a point to take notes. You cannot expect to remember every little point after watching a three-hour-long film.

Note-taking enables you to jot down your thoughts and makes it easier to organize them during the writing stage. Take notes about critical dialogues, characters, and scenes that stood out. Look out for patterns and assess how the movie made you feel.

Apart from that, it also looks into the underlying themes and technical aspects such as the film-making technique used or cinematography.

While writing a movie for college, one watch is certainly not enough. Watch it at least two to three times. Let the first time be purely about watching the movie for what it is. After that, you can go on to re-watch it with the objective of reviewing or critiquing it.

Do Background Research

In the case of a movie review writing assignment, the movie is undoubtedly your go-to source and the holy grail, but it’s not enough.

Consider researching the director, the year it came out, what was the socio-political environment like, what were the director’s motivations, whether there was any inspiration behind the movie, where it was shot, etc.

Doing this additional reading will give you valuable insights that will help you write a qualitative and well-rounded movie review.

Analyze the Movie in Parts

How will you write a movie review if you don’t know what you’re watching it for?

It’s a good idea to analyze it in parts.

Crucial elements you must consider during your movie analysis

  • direction - how did the director translate the script into a film, can this movie be compared to his/her previous films, etc.;
  • cinematography - what are the camera angles and shots, what is the filming technique, what is the lighting technique, and how does it impact the scenes, etc.;
  • writing - how developed are the characters, was the plot predictable, how does it start and end, how are the dialogues, etc.;
  • acting - how would you judge the actors’ performances, etc.;
  • music - how does the music and background score accentuate the story;
  • editing - how to do the scenes transition, did the cuts seem realistic and smooth, how was the length, etc.;
  • costume and set design - were they appropriate to the era and the theme, etc.

Let this serve as a checklist while you’re watching the movie and making your notes.

Here’s a useful video by The Misfit Pond on how to analyze movies

Create an Outline

Now that you have your notes and analysis-ready, you can go on to the next stage - writing.

The first step of this stage is to create an outline that forms the skeleton of your paper and gives it direction. The idea is to jot down the sub-headings and include the points you plan on including under each of them.

This is the ideal structure of a movie review for the college

  • Introduction - start with a hook and include basic details of the movie such as name, year of release, director, actors, and central theme. This paragraph should end with the thesis statement;
  • Summary - provide a concise summary of the plot;
  • Analysis - discuss the film’s creative and technical aspects while enlisting its strengths and/or weaknesses;
  • Opinion - put forth your opinion objectively while backing it up with evidence;
  • Conclusion - reinstate your thesis and highlight whether the reader sees the film or not.

Start Writing

This is where your efforts will culminate - it’s time to put down your thoughts into words and get writing.

Even though movie reviews are generally not that long, they can make for an overwhelming writing experience because there’s so much you’re juggling with.

It’s a good idea to break down the writing process and give yourself breaks in between. There’s no way you can do justice to the paper if you’re tired or burnt out.

Edit and Proofread

Once you’re done writing, make sure you read it multiple times to submit a well-written and polished paper.

Let the first round of reading be about checking the logical flow and structure of the paper while ensuring there is no plagiarism . Make sure you’ve added all the points you intended to and that they flow in smoothly.

Next up, proofread the review and check for typos, and grammatical and spelling errors. It’s also worth getting a friend or family member to read the review to check for errors that you may have missed out.

6 Smart Tips to Write an Excellent Movie Review

The best film reviews are those that strike a balance between sharing one’s personal opinion and being objective.

Now, that’s a tough thing to achieve because sometimes we get so swayed by our personal point of view that we don’t realize that we are expected to be unbiased and objective in this assignment.

Well, here are 6 smart tips to help you write an excellent movie review for college.

Read Other Reviews

Writing movie reviews is an art - and not everyone can review a movie the way it needs to be reviewed.

So, before you even start watching the movie in question, you should read reviews by notable film critics just to understand how movie reviews are written.

You can read reviews by Andrew Sarris, Judith Crist, Peter Travers, Peter Bradshaw, and Roger Eber, among many others.

That said, try not to read reviews on the same movie you’re reviewing because that might influence your perspective and writing.

Watch Like a Critic

There’s a huge difference between watching a movie like a general audience and watching it like a critic. For this assignment, you need to do the latter.

What does that mean? Analyze the direction, story, and characters, make comparisons, understand the context, look out for motifs, and pay attention to the camera angles and shots, loopholes in the plot, and every little element that’s part of the movie (on and off-screen).

Watch Ann Hornaday , The Washington Post’s film critic, share insights on what it means to watch movies like a critic

Stay Focussed on the Movie

This is an assignment and you have a word count to abide by. Make sure you don’t go off-topic or get derailed while writing the movie review.

Ultimately, everything you write needs to be correlated to the movie you are reviewing. It helps to have your thesis statement written boldly where you can see it. This ensures you don’t wander off-topic.

While proofreading, do keep this in mind and ensure you haven’t added irrelevant information that’s not in line with the topic because that’s likely to go against you.

Be Objective and Support your Opinions

It’s important to note that just because a movie isn’t suited to your taste, does not make it a bad movie.

You need to be objective while writing a movie review. If there is something you disagree with or are critiquing, do include enough evidence in the form of facts, statistics, quotes, and examples to strengthen your argument.

At the same time, if you happen to review the movie of a director you’ve been a fan of, don’t let that come in between your writing.

Basically, keep your biases out of the equation.

Look into the Details

Be specific while expressing your opinion. Making generic statements such as “the story was poorly written” or “the characters were well-developed” does not cut it. You need to dive deep and back your claims up to convince the reader about what you’re saying.

The trick is to keep asking yourself questions until you cannot further.

One of the things you will be assessed for will be your attention to detail. Merely touching upon the surface will be reflected in your writing and will cost you your grades.

Avoid Giving Away the Plot

One of the most common mistakes students make while writing movie reviews is including spoilers. This is a grave error because it goes against the concept of writing reviews because adding spoilers ruins the reader’s experience of watching the movie.

While you are expected to give an idea about what the movie is about, you have to keep spoilers out of the way.

Once you understand how to write a movie review for college and what it takes to submit a winning paper, you’ll realize it’s not all that challenging.

Still asking, “how to write a movie review for college”? You can turn to the experts for help. We at Writers Per Hour have a team of professional writers who specialize in writing college movie reviews.

Regardless of whether you have a tight deadline or are stuck while writing a movie review, all you have to do is send us the brief, and we’ll get the best-suited writer for the job.

When you work with Writers Per Hour, you can be sure to receive a high-quality and original movie review written to meet your specific requirements.

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movie review template for college students

How To Write A College Movie Review

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In high school and college, students handle assignments that cover various aspects of their coursework. One such assignment is writing a movie review.

Though it might sound simple, movie reviews go beyond watching a movie and writing a few words. It’s more about analyzing the various elements of the film and identify details not visible to the ordinary viewer.

Students must use their research skills, critical thinking, and creative writing to create compelling content. However, if you don’t have confidence in your skills to produce high-quality content, you can always take help from an  essay writer helper.

If you’re having a hard time creating a powerful movie review, don’t worry. We got you covered. Here, we’ve provided you with a few tips on how to write a movie review for college.

What Is a Good Movie Review?

What makes a good sample review for students?

When you read most movie, review examples for college students, you will notice they have a well-balanced overview of the key points that form the movie. Students should express their opinion about the film in an unbiased and objective approach in a good movie review.

Students should make their reviews detailed enough to help the readers make an informed decision about watching or not watching the movie.

That said, at its core, a movie review is just like an argumentive essay, only about the movie instead of the book. So, students should not have a problem crafting it. If you still have a hard time writing a movie essay, it’s wise to  hire essay helper with relevant background  knowledge about writing a killer film review. Most essay help services in Canada have movie review examples and templates for college students, which can help them understand the basis of film review writing.

As a result, students can learn how to craft something unique, original, and attractive to the readers. But what if you don’t have enough time on your hand to work on the review? Then, professional writers from Canadian essay writing services can create high quality, plagiarism-free movie reviews for you at the best prices.

Tips on How to Write A Movie Review for College Students

Watch the movie several times.

Watch the film more than once so you can analyze it from every angle. Note every major and minor character and events. Try to identify what emotions the camera operator is trying to convey. And attempt to identify the elements involved in the movie creation. If you rely only on your memory, there are some things you might miss or overlook.

Always have a pen and a paper to write everything you notice about the movie or documentary. Also, note your ideas while watching the film or after it. Write the idea as soon as it comes to your mind.

Adopt a good structure for your text

While writing a movie review, it’s wise to use a structure that allows your content to flow with ease. Just like in  business writing , your content requires an introduction that can hook the reader and make a clear statement of your option on the movie. Make the body brief but logical and informative. Always give evidence of the ideas you list down. Did you love the film or hate it? Whether your answer is “yes” or “no”, provide specific facts and details to support your opinions.

Every review requires a conclusion. End your film or documentary review with a conclusion that supports the thesis from the introduction part. Remember to give the reader an answer to the question–should I watch the film or not.

Analyze the film

Take your time to analyze significant scenes in the film like camera work, location, and story development. Think through everything the movie covered from the beginning to the end. And if some sections are confusing, re-watch the film.

Pay attention to the film’s original idea and figure out if the directors and producers fulfilled it. Also, determine the techniques used to film the movie.

Once you’ve understood what the film is all about, you can write your review.

Create an outline

Draft an outline  before crafting the actual movie review. Outlining your work is always a great idea and could lead to half of your success. While writing your outline, include your concepts and arguments. Always use examples to back up your thoughts, especially if you want the reader to agree with you.

As we said earlier, writing a film review is no straightforward task. But with the help of these few tips, you will submit a winning paper.

Remember to structure your text appropriately to make it flow with ease and capture the reader’s attention. Don’t forget to analyze the movie and carry out additional research to identify every detail.

With that said, we hope our brief piece will help you craft an interesting review.

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How to Write a Movie Review: 10 Essential Tips

As long as there have been films, there have been film critics. Starting with the early days of cinema, where reviews appeared in newspapers and magazines as brief, descriptive pieces, as filmmaking evolved as an art form, so did the role of the critic. James Agee, André Bazin, and Pauline Kael shaped the discourse around cinema, and today, famous film critics like the iconic Roger Ebert , The New York Times’s A.O. Scott , and The New York Times’s Manohla Dargis continue to leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema.

With the rise of the internet, film criticism now encompasses a wide range of voices and perspectives from around the globe. Sites like Letterboxd make it possible for anyone to write short-form reviews on film. Even stars like The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri have accounts and share opinions on the latest box-office hits.

How to Write a Movie Review

Today, contemporary YouTube and TikTok critics such as Red Letter Media , deepfocuslens , and DoMo Draper don’t just write film reviews, they shoot videos and skits. Through their creative formats, they offer refreshing and unique perspectives while building communities of diehard film and television enthusiasts. Whether you choose to write reviews for your own blog, other websites, or social media channels, by learning how to write a movie review, any aspiring filmmaker can start to watch films intentionally. 

@domodraperr Replying to @xsindeviltriggerx I’ll get right on that, Sir!🫡 #comments #movies #film #satire #fyp #mulan #disney ♬ I’ll Make a Man Out of You (feat. Black Gryph0n) – Cover – Samuel Kim

TikTok film critic “DoMo Draper” provides commentary on new and old films, often calling out racism, social injustice, misogyny, and prejudice.

While there’s no perfect approach to writing a review, there are best practices that every aspiring reviewer should consider.

Here are ten tips on writing a compelling piece.

1. Watch the film at least once.

For new reviewers, it’s impossible to capture everything after one viewing. Watching the film first, then watching to take notes, is an easy way to improve the quality of your final review. This will also make it easy to recall in-the-moment thoughts and reactions.

how to write a movie review

Take a review by Christian Blauvelt of Charlie Chaplin’s silent film The Circus , for example. Since the film does not have sound, properly critiquing the film requires close attention. Viewers have to pay attention to the various nuances in Chaplin’s performance, follow the story, and take in the cinematography. Regarding The Circus , Blauvelt writes, “The film lacks a conventional plot, but is rather a pearl necklace of strung-together episodes. ” The statement isn’t a criticism, but a keen observation likely gleaned from more than one viewing. 

So while every film reviewer has their own approach, many choose to watch a film more than once to deliver the best possible review. Image The Criterion Collection.

2. Express your opinions and support your criticism.

Professional reviewers do not shy away from sharing whether they thought a movie was good, bad, or indifferent. In a review for the film Mother!, reviewer Candice Frederick describes the film as “uncomfortable,” and “controversial,” helping viewers understand the tone of the movie. While Frederick seemed to enjoy the film, her honesty about how it would make audiences feel was vital in writing the review.

Be sure to back up these thoughts with specifics–a disappointing performance, beautiful cinematography, difficult material that leaves you thinking, and so on. Professional reviewers should express why and how they came to their criticism.

3. Consider your audience.

Are you writing for a fan site or a news outlet? Who will read your pieces, and what are their interests? Knowing who your readers are and where the review will be published can help you decide what elements of the movie to highlight. For example, take these two very different reviews for the film ‘Synecdoche, New York’.  

how to write a movie review

The first review was written by Alonso Duralde for The Today Show , and clocks in at around 500 words. The film focuses on the bullet points: characters, plot, and a concise review. The second review is over 3,000 words and published on the Critical Critics blog . This review goes into massive depth (and yes, includes spoilers) about the film, providing an incredible amount of analysis. The first review is tailored for the casual filmgoer, while the second is for cinephiles. Each review serves a different purpose.

It’s also a good idea to adjust your writing style to fit the target audience. For example, Alonso Duralde is a talented film reviewer and likely wrote the review to fit the tone of The Today Show site. Image via Director’s Library.

4. Talk about the acting.

When reviewing a film, it’s important to take space to discuss the performances. Does the film feature a seasoned actor in a new kind of role or a brilliant performance from a rising star? How was the acting? In a review by Brett Milam for the award-winning film Whiplash , he goes into rich detail about performances by both breakthrough actor Miles Teller and seasoned professional JK Simmons.

Regarding Teller, Milam writes, “This is a performance. This is art,” and about Simmons, “I found him fascinating to just look at.” Those are just small examples of the analysis he provides regarding their acting. As the film mostly focuses on the relationship between their two characters, Miles as the protagonist and JK as the antagonist, the review of the performances lends well to the plot of the film: student and teacher going head to head in an intense and determined showdown. 

Feedback about how well the actors handled the script, the dynamics in an ensemble, and so much more can help describe how the actors did in any given film.

5. Call out directors, cinematographers, and special effects.

Reviews that include highlights or missteps of directors, cinematographers, and costume designers can help provide support to your critiques. By providing specific examples of what worked, what surprised you, and what fell short of expectations, reviewers can write a well-thought-out review that goes beyond whether or not you liked it.

how to write a movie review

In a review for A Wrinkle in Time , Monique Jones artfully crafts a piece that diplomatically cites the missteps of the film. From analyzing the quality of the CGI to the camera techniques to inconsistencies in the rules of the fantasy universe, Jones fairly offers a critique that guides the filmmakers and crew on future endeavors. To write this type of review, it helps to have some knowledge of the filmmaking process so you can properly assess the screenwriting, cinematography, special effects, acting, and more. Image via Disney.

6. No spoilers!

The point of writing a movie review is to get people interested in seeing a movie. That’s why it’s absolutely best practice to not reveal spoilers in a film review. Film reviewer Robert Daniels approaches this creatively. In his review of Annihilation , he provides commentary on what would be considered spoilers. However, he places that part of the review at the bottom of the article under a bold header/image that warns the reader he’s about to spoil the film. For reviewers who want to dissect the entire film, this is a good way to both tease the film for anyone who hasn’t seen it and cater to people who want to know what the ending is.

Remember: the goal of any film review is to discuss the plot without revealing any twists or the ending of the film. 

7. Study the professionals.

As with all writing endeavors, the more you read, the better. However, with the modern landscape of film reviewing, which can go beyond writing and extend to content creation for social media platforms, there are a ton of reviewers to take notes from. First, determine what kind of reviewer you want to be, and what kind of medium you plan to deliver your reviews on. If you plan to post to Medium, for example, studying the reviewers already established on the site can be a great starting point.

Then, read film reviews for some of your favorite films. Determine which style of review you like and don’t like. Question why, and use your critical eye to consider why one reviewer has a hundred thousand followers and another only has two. If you’re looking to be featured on a website or a magazine, read the publications where you’d like your writing to appear as a template for your reviews, and don’t forget to read the submission guidelines. A few examples of film review professionals include Rotten Tomatoes , Roger Ebert , and Film Comment. 

8. Reread, rewrite, and edit.

While writing film critique is based on opinion, and follows the style of the reviewer, it’s still important to edit work. Writers should check for spelling, grammar, and readability. No matter how good a writer’s opinions are, they will not be taken seriously if the director’s name isn’t spelled correctly. Tools such as Grammarly and Hemingway Editor can be great for correcting and finding areas that need improvement. 

9. Find your voice.

The best reviewers have a distinct personality that comes across in their writing. Los Angeles Times film reviewer Carlos Aguilar wrote an impassioned piece about the film Beatriz at Dinner , going into a lot of detail about his experiences working in the film industry and his Mexican heritage. By sharing anecdotes about casual racism he’s experienced and connecting it to the film’s protagonist, and what she goes through, the review feels personal and relatable.

how to write a movie review

“If at a film festival – to which I’ve gotten access to because I’m a published writer – in a progressive city like Los Angeles, I must keep my guard up when people question my right to be there, then how are the voiceless supposed to feel safe, respected, or hopeful?” Aguilar writes. 

For new reviewers, developing this type of unique voice does not happen overnight, so take every opportunity to write as an opportunity to develop your style. Image via BBC.

10. Know your taste.

As a film reviewer, it can be helpful to identify your taste in film. By knowing specific preferences, strengths, and biases, reviewers can offer nuanced critiques that resonate with audiences and provide valuable guidance on which films they might enjoy. Additionally, it helps to maintain credibility and integrity as a reviewer by ensuring that assessments are authentic and reflective of personal cinematic sensibilities.

Try to explore various genres, directors, and themes to understand what resonates emotionally, intellectually, and aesthetically. Pay attention to the types of stories that engage you, which can help define your preferences.

Learn More About Filmmaking at NYFA

Film students with writing experience actually make great reviewers, as many of them are required to study a range of topics relating to film that can include cinematography, screenwriting, producing, and much more. Ready to build even more skills in filmmaking? Request more information about New York Film Academy’s filmmaking programs and workshops today!

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How to write a film review

Writing a review is an option in many different English language exams, and films are such an obvious choice for reviews, so knowing how to write a film review is pretty important. It’s a great topic for the classroom too. Everyone watches films and there is a lot of opportunity to teach vocabulary, either film-related vocabulary or film review adjectives. I like to start off a class about films with some chat, or my personal favourite, the Movie Music Quiz , which also now has an excellent Movie Picture Quiz version too.

awesome review

The structure of a film review

Like any writing task, it’s essential to know the structure of a film review before you start writing. A basic film review template shows you how to write a film review using a simple structure. Film reviews for First (FCE) and Advanced (CAE) Cambridge exams, as well as Trinity ISE exams, should all use a 4 paragraph structure. Another thing to remember is that your review should always have a title, and that title should include the name of the film.

  • Introduction – Essential details and mini-summary
  • Summary – A description of the film and some important details
  • Analysis – An evaluation of different elements
  • Conclusion – Your opinion and a recommendation

Introduction

In the introduction of a film review, it is crucial to mention the film title and the names of the director and the main actors. A brief summary of the film’s plot and background information can also be included, but it should not give away too much detail. The introduction should engage the reader and entice them to continue reading the review. Additionally, it is important to mention the genre and target audience of the film, which will give the reader an idea of what to expect.

In the summary section, the film review should give a comprehensive but concise description of the film, focusing on the plot, characters, and any significant events. The summary should be written in a way that does not give away the ending or spoil the film for the reader. It is important to maintain objectivity and not include personal opinions in this section. This section should provide enough detail for the reader to have a clear understanding of the film without giving too much away.

The analysis section is where the reviewer can showcase their critical skills and provide an in-depth evaluation of the film. The review should examine various elements of the film such as the script, direction, cinematography, acting, and special effects. You could also make a comparison to similar films in the same genre. The analysis should be written in an objective style with the opinion only showing through the language used.

In the conclusion, the reviewer should give their personal opinion of the film, summarising their thoughts on its strengths and weaknesses. They should also consider the target audience and whether they believe the film will appeal to them. Finally, the reviewer should provide a clear recommendation. The conclusion should be concise, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the reviewer’s overall opinion of the film.

Using adjectives in reviews

Reviews are a great way to show off your language with impressive adjectives. If you read a film review in a newspaper or magazine, you’ll notice that the reviewer rarely, if ever, gives an explicit direct opinion. However, their opinion of the film is always crystal clear. This is through the use of adjectives.

Many adjectives have a clear connotation. They are either perceived as positive or negative. Compare these two examples. Which one is a positive description and which is negative?

  • It’s a first-rate experience with an imaginative plot and a star-studded cast.
  • The second-rate writing combined with weak performances is typical of this director’s work.

When using adjectives in a film review, it is important to choose words that accurately convey the reviewer’s opinion. Adjectives with strong connotations, either positive or negative, can be very effective in expressing the reviewer’s thoughts about the film. However, it is also important to use a variety of adjectives to avoid repetition and keep the review interesting. The use of adjectives can also help to paint a picture of the film, allowing the reader to get a sense of its atmosphere and tone.

The materials

Many exams, such as the Cambridge First (FCE) and Advanced (CAE) exams, as well as Trinity ISE exams, require students to write a film review as part of their writing task. These materials will provide students with a solid understanding of the structure of a film review and help them to develop their writing skills. This will give them the confidence they need to write a review that meets the requirements of the exam and impresses the examiner.

The materials will help you learn how to write an introduction, summary, analysis, and conclusion of a film review. You will also see a range of useful adjectives that you can use to express your opinions in their reviews. Finally, you will get an opportunity to practise writing film reviews, which will help you to develop your skills. Then you can check your answers with the samples provided in the answer key. Whether you’re preparing for an exam or just looking to improve your writing skills, these materials will provide you with everything you need to write a great film review.

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Interesting and useful material to be used in class. thanks!

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A Comprehensive Movie Review Writing Guide

What is a movie review, what is the purpose of a movie review, preparing to write a college movie review.

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How to Write an Outstanding Movie Review for College

The structure of movie reviews| the format of a movie review, the introduction, summary of the story in the movie, creative elements in the film- elements of a movie review homework, personal opinion, examples of movie reviews for college students, how to handle movie review assignments, get help with editing and writing your movie critiques, commonly asked questions on movie reviews: faq.

For students majoring in English, writing a movie review is never optional. High school and college students often find it hard to review a film. ?Who can write my movie review, I?ll pay?? is common for students.

Well, writing a movie review is not just about what happens in the movie. Instead, it should be an entire critical process loaded with different steps. As students like watching movies, they often confuse writing film reviews with writing regular essays. However, this is always never the case.

Sometimes, even seeking help from academic writing companies do not help. Especially, if you don?t end up with a custom movie review. In this case, your movie review assignment is nothing less than that written using a movie review generator. Simply, it is useless and deemed for poor grades.

As a top, reliable, and cheap custom essay writing service, we help students write movie reviews online. Besides, our movie review examples for college students can be referenced as they are professionally written essays. However, students must be smart.

With an example of a film review, think of the film you just watched and follow the format of the sample movie review format for students provided.

We watch movies, discuss, and critique them daily. In college, watching movies on Netflix or Amazon is fun. Creating a high-quality review is a very tasking endeavor, especially for fresh college students. Well, before understanding how to write a movie review, let?s delve into its definition.

Simply, a movie review is a detailed, critical, and balanced synthesis or analysis of the thematic content and technical aspects as well as giving personal opinions on a film.

As a rule of thumb, movie reviews must have a minimum word limit of 1000-words. The maximum length of a movie review depends on the instructions and if the film is long, say a series.

Film reviews fall under creative, critical review. In this, they are seen as art and should be approached with creativity and critical thinking. In the end, it is like ending with a loaded persuasive or argumentative paper. But let?s begin by understanding what the purpose of a film review is. It will set a pace on how to write a good movie review.

Fundamentally, students taking English classes have to write film reviews. As a movie review writing service, we believe a professional movie review should:

The primary purpose of a movie review is to emancipate the reader on the ideas on the film. Often, students focus so much on events rather than the real issues of concern. It is good to express your personal opinion when writing a documentary or film review, but you should be objective and unbiased. A good movie review features the two.

Film reviews should detail and help a reader in making decisions on whether or not to watch a movie.  For lecturers, it is a chance to assess and test the creativity and critical thinking skills of the students.

Movie reviews should inform the reader about the content and quality of the documentary or movie. For example, if a reader is looking for a horror movie review of a specific nature, convince them why they should watch Vampire Dairies, Final Destination , or Wrong Turn .

A detailed analysis helps inexperienced viewers to get insights into the critical elements of the film based on the scenes. Now, let us prepare our college movie review assignment.

Before writing a film review, there are steps one should follow.

  • Choose a movie if your instructor does not assign one. Confirm from the review prompt if there is a specific genre to choose. Content and themes should guide your choice.
  • Watch the film. You should watch the film at least twice or thrice to get insights on the elements of the movie to include in the review. At first, get into the movie atmosphere to get a good impression. Second viewing gives you the chance to look at the cinematography elements, sound effects, lighting, background music, and acting.
  • Formulate a central theme o idea of the movie. If you are not sure, a third viewing is inevitable. This time, be very keen and take notes.
  • Your notes should record the breathtaking scenes, details, events, and moments. If there are phrases you need in verbatim, note them down, especially if they are from main characters. It is the best epigraph you can have for the film review.

The Do?s when reviewing a Film

  • Engage in some research on the movie to decorate your review and make it more convincing. Record any challenges when shooting the movie.
  • Focus on the director of the movie and the cast as well as prestigious awards. Any cinephile would want a deeply written movie review, and it is your chance to make it informative.

Our write my movie review experts always do the entire process. They understand how to write a movie review. Sometimes, when writing a movie review, it is great to read some of the reviews on the same film written by professional film critics. The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Times, Rolling Stone and The New Yorker, etc. can be helpful.

This is a step by step guide on how to write a good movie review. Arguably, beginning a movie review is the hardest.  However, follow these steps from our ?write my movie review for me? experts:

  • Watch the documentary or movie twice
  • Conduct thorough research on the movie. Check for the characters, events, plot, location, motivation, storyline, and directors as well as the cast.
  • Only analyze a movie after watching it.
  • Always have a movie review outline with you.
  • Proofread and edit your movie review to remove mistakes. A good review should be flawless. Check for syntax, grammar, vocabulary, typos, errors, and word choice.
  • Write a firm conclusion for the movie. You are allowed to give recommendations and convince the reader to watch the movie. It is like selling the movie to someone with no interest in a film.

One area of technicality write my movie review experts face is advising on the movie review format for students. Even with a pdf on how to write a movie, you need to format your review in the best way possible.

Your introduction should have a grabber. It should have the name of the director, the title of the movie, the genre, the release date, and awards if any. Sometimes, professors want you to include the budget and the box office. Besides, the intro should have the cast members.

When writing a movie review, do not forget the thesis statement as part of the introduction. Notably, a compelling thesis statement should convince your reader to stay tuned.

The thesis statement should cover the plot summary and describe the technical aspects.  Here are some ideas for a good thesis statement for a movie/film review:

  • Establishing the themes of the film to current affairs.
  • Tying the plot to personal experiences or family events.
  • Connecting the elements of the film review to the thematic contents.

This stage is where the rubber meets the road. The first and second paragraphs of the body should expose your evaluation. Maybe it is a chance to offer your personal opinion. Our write my movie review for cheap experts know this, that some readers have no time to go through an entire review.

The body should have a brief plot summary where you focus on major events. Furthermore, you can describe the setting but give so much less that you dodge ?, spoiler alerts.? Maintain the suspense; it makes a review sweet and entertaining.

The body should also reflect the purpose of the movie.

Why could it have been created? For this, great interviews with the director or the team that shot the movie can be a great starting point. However, most plots expose the purpose of films. Sometimes, the simplicity of movies makes them great. So, do not bother going too deep into the implications of a movie.

It is best to include the overall impression of the movie in the body too. What emotions, reactions, or thoughts does the movie/film/documentary evoke? The plot summary should very well capture this. You are allowed to take a personal stance on this part.

Here is where you focus on the details of filmmaking. An exhaustive movie review should always feature at least two elements in a film, however, avoid jargon in your review; they can anger the professor/instructor.

Check for the cinematography skills including angles, camera movement, and distance of cameras.

Also, analyze and critique the soundtrack used and whether or not it fits the themes of the film. Sometimes diegetic sounds like the chirping of birds, water in a river, or barking can form a good part of the review. Also, explain the non-diegetic sounds like sounds from aliens or outer space.

Another element is the visual effects, smiles or the actors and the landscape in the film.

The deeper meaning or symbols used in the movie is also an important element. Always check the repetitive phrases, scenes, or symbols for the same.

When giving personal opinions in a movie review, always use examples from the movie. Please focus on the character of a given character, their appearance, language, and body language.

Connect the movie review to your class or course topic. Sometimes draw the similarities and differences between the elements of the movie and the class reader content.

It would help if you always had an accurate depiction of the movie. Thus, it would be best if you never guessed anything. Instead, be as simple as possible.

Your review should have a strong conclusion . In this section, it is best to remind your readers of the movie elements, characters, setting, and themes.

Spicing up the conclusion with a set of recommendations is recommended. Keep the conclusion interesting by reformulating your thesis.

Reflect on the entire movie review process. Always give your honest opinion and give impartial details. The opinions are good as they swerve the readers to adopt and agree with your opinion. Remember, when writing a movie review for a movie club and children, the approach is never the same.

It might be a good idea to give details on how well the movie was directed and shot.  How about the lighting, was it good for the moods?

Here are some of how to write a movie review for college examples. We believe that with an example of a movie review assignment, you can be able to write a good movie review.

  • Review of Hunger Games: Demystifying Dystopia
  • Doctor Who Film Review
  • ?Everybody Hates Chris? A Critical Review
  • The Notebook-Review of the Romantic Movie
  • Modern understanding of Marriage in Modern Family
  • Blackish Film Review
  • Hidden figures review on the Role of Women in Science
  • Representation of women in Science Movies
  • Ghostbusters Review
  • Review of Contact
  • Orphan Black Critical Review
  • Review of Gender Balance in Jurassic Park
  • Comprehensive Review of Black Panther.
  • Review of the Dawn of Planet Apes

Our ?write my essay,? professional movie review helpers can always assist with your assignments.

There are some mistakes to avoid when writing movie reviews:

  • Generalizing the review using terms like it was a nasty movie, a fine movie, a good movie, cool effects on the movie, great expertise in acting, and so on.
  • Focusing on irrelevant stuff.
  • Not having a structure of the review before writing.
  • Lack of editing and proofreading.
  • Failing to support personal opinions with facts and examples from research or the movie.
  • Not watching the film or documentary before beginning to write.
  • Writing too much with personal pronouns. Arguably, it makes it informal and dilutes the content
  • Beating around the bush with ideas in the film.
  • Not getting movie review help in time. You can always ask for the ?write my movie review, for cheap,? service from Gradecrest.com.

Ask for help today from a top custom essay writing service . Our assignment writing service has qualified professional essay writers .

We have helped many save their grades; it is now your chance. When you order, we let you have control of the paper by setting the deadlines and asking for movie review drafts.

Sometimes, you have written a movie review but are unsure if it meets the marking threshold in the rubric. In this case, you can use our Essay Editing Service . It makes no sense to ask your classmates to edit and proofread your essay.

The same level of experience does not count here. Instead, our keen editors can always help.

As an instant essay maker, we ensure that even the most urgent essays are submitted within the deadline.

Who will write my Movie Review?

We have experts in essay writing. They have exclusive experience in writing film reviews. If your review needs to choose a movie, they will also help you.

Will someone else have access to my Review?

No! Once you pay for the essay or paper, it becomes 100% your property. As a custom paper writing company, we never re-sell or distribute essays we write.

How can I contact you if I need help with a movie review service?

We have 24/7 customer support. You can reach us through WhatsApp or Chat.

Can I copy a movie review online?

No! That amounts to plagiarism, which has grave consequences. Universities use Turnitin to check plagiarism, and you might get caught and red-carded. Copying an existing movie review is a suicide mission. Instead, look for movie review examples for college students.

Do movie reviews get assigned to non-English Majors?

Yes, even students from psychology, sociology, history, or business are given movie review assignments. The aim is to assess your critical thinking and creativity skills.

How is a movie review formatted?

Most prompts will have instructions on what format and citation styles to use. However, most movie reviews we have written were on MLA and APA citation styles.

movie review template for college students

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

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How To Write A Movie Review: Guide For College Students

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Why is it important to learn how to write a movie review?

For your English composition or art class, you may have to prepare a movie review one day. When you are a student, it is important to know how to write any kind of essay. But if we talk about a movie analysis, things can get a bit tricky. According to expert essay writers from a professional paper writing service, to write my essay about a movie, you should consider many additional factors, starting with the type of the movie. Feature films and documentaries may serve as primary resources for your research. As for the fiction movies, a student may use them for inspiration while writing, for instance, a compare and contrast essay on similarities and differences of a book and film based on that piece of literature. In any case, films can be used as great supplemental learning tools.

Movie Review

As a result, a type of academic assignment called movie review was offered by tutors around the world. Some students do not succeed in such assignments, so they usually use the services of a professional essay writer in such cases. While reviewing a movie only may seem easy, we would like to describe the writing process in detail.

How to Start a Film Review With a Bang

When it comes to writing an academic paper, the first question to pop up in mind is the topic—deciding on the topic is how to start a film review. In most cases, tutors provide you with a specific movie to analyze. It should be related to the subject you study and particular topics. study and particular topics. Students, being essay writers , get an opportunity to pick movies on their own in rare situations. Thus, you have to be ready to face any challenges associated with a movie review essay.

If you have a chance to choose the film on your own, make sure it has something to do with the topics you cover in class and is acceptable for the general audience. You should not pick adult movies or films with filthy language.

Introduce the general facts about the film briefly and mention its main idea. Your thesis statement is the closing part of an introduction, and it should claim whether you like the film or not and why in a sentence or few. Move smoothly to the body paragraphs after that. The next section describes the structure in detail.

The Best Way to Structure a Movie Review

Movie Review

So, in any film critique example, you can notice the following structure:

Title of the analyzed work. A writer has to specify the movie’s title in the opening part and put down the release date.

An abstract usually refers to the summary of the main points. In the case of the samples of movie reviews, that is a summary of the plot. Discuss what happened in the video and share your thoughts: was it a success or failure?

You may say that you hated the movie, or, vice versa, believe it’s the best motion picture in the world, but make sure to provide specific reasons. That is why you need to watch the full movie and pick various details like character quotes to prove your point of view.

To answer various questions that the audience may have, an author should provide replies to the meaningful questions about the movie make/director. Decide whether this person can be considered a controversial figure. Is there any sort of political stance? Finally, think about a significant background a movie creator may have (if any). Depending on the answers to these questions, the length of your paper may vary.

  • Relevance to your subject

Was it a good idea to assign this movie to your class? Think about whether the video content matches the topics that you study currently or have recently covered.

Perhaps, the movie has to do with historical accuracy. Include a note of embellishments or over-dramatization if you write for your history lesson. Comments and citations from credible sources can be useful.

  • Creative elements

You can see from any movie critique example that a list of creative tools is listed. Those could be costumes, decorations, colors, sound effects, music, and other visual and audio elements. A paper writer should discuss which of the elements add drama and which of them have comedian purposes.

How to Critique a Movie: Recommended Format

Movie Review

  • Into (title, topic, and release date)
  • Accuracy of depiction
  • Implementation of sources
  • Creativity tools
  • Writer’s opinion

Now that if you write in MLA , follow these guidelines:

  • Indoor with the title and release date only
  • Summary of the plot
  • Evaluation of plot elements (rising action, culmination, etc.)
  • Use of color, emotions, voice, etc.
  • Personal opinion

Writing a conclusion for a film review is easy. Start with the paraphrased thesis statement. Sum up whether the movie creator managed to achieve the initial goals. Re-state the evidence used to support your points. Was the film useful, and in what way? Would you recommend it to anyone else?

movie review template for college students

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Writing A Perfect Movie Review

Essays that you usually write in college are not limited to only descriptive and argumentative ones. Other types of writings that are quite widespread in the world of academic studies. Some of them have to do with writing about various works of literature. Others are closer to historical studies. Writings about films are also very popular. They mainly include writing a film review, so if you are a diehard movie fan and fond of writing, this is an excellent opportunity to blend these talents into one activity. In spite of the fact that there are many movie enthusiasts around, most of the people feel struggled when it comes to creating a good film review as it involves considering a given film from different angles. In case you have such an assignment, don't be scared of it and read our tips below. They will surely help you with this task.

What is the main point of writing film reviews?

To those of you who question the importance of writing film reviews, there are several known facts. First of all, writing such types of essays stretches your imagination and helps you to use various skills that you got during your studies. Secondly, they have long become a very common task in the world of academic writings.

Writing a film review is not unlike writing the same paper about a book. In both cases, you have to consider the work from different angles, dwell upon stylistic devices, plot and characters described. Such types of works require general knowledge about cinema as well as knowing peculiar facts about a film itself and the genre to which it belongs. You have to be very attentive to each detail of the film even the ones that seem to have no meaning whatsoever.

As you analyze the film, you start to watch it more attentively. This helps you widen your perception of the film industry itself. You may notice that it is a hard task to shoot a good movie so that you can feel more respect to people involved in the creation of films. Moreover, you will have an excellent opportunity to discover a new genre or a great director whose works are quite worthy. This can turn you into a newbie fan of an entirely different genre that you weren't familiar with before.

Such types of essays are remarkably popular with many professors as they serve quite well to illustrate the abilities of a student to carry out a respectable piece of analytic work. A paper like this mainly stems from describing your own opinions and feelings about a movie watched. Also, one can appreciate your vocabulary and writing skills. Each review is unique, that is why it is hard to find two similar papers that concern the same film, as every person gets impressed differently. Finally, it is more interesting to write about a movie than about a boring book or a historical event, so some professors use these tasks as a means of motivation for those students who are not fond of writing.

Necessary parts of a film review

In most cases, professors give their students a task to analyze a film chosen beforehand. There are cases when tutors give their students an opportunity to pick a movie themselves, but such cases are not too often. In any way, the movie that you end up reviewing should be significant and have a value in the world of cinematography.

In your paper, you should note what value has the movie for your studies, how it may influence your progress in learning, and also present your own opinion about the film under your consideration. Don’t forget that you are to be very careful with expressing your personal views about the film. Try to avoid such phrases as "I think that" or "I expected this film to be," etc. Your review has to be objective and biased.

The form and shape of your review may be defined by the program of your course and professors demands. Despite this, several essentials are necessary within your paper. Among them are:

What is the title of the film? -Even if you mentioned the name of the movie in the title of your analysis, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t repeat it once again within your text. The best place to do it is the introduction part of your paper. Many students do not pay attention to such moments, thinking that it is not too important. Though, some professors may perceive it as a mistake.

The plot - no doubt, that one of the primary things to be done is to give a summary of the movie for those people who are not familiar with it. To do it the best way, keep in mind that the professor who will read your essay is one of those people too. Be very careful with all the details, try to present them with all the possible attention. Your primary goal is to present the events that happened in the movie and to write if the director managed to deliver a film worthy of the viewer's attention or not. However, be careful with expressing your personal opinion about the film if you feel tempted to write things like "I like it" or "I hated it" as they may sound completely unviable. Support every statement with evidence.

The director – an essential part of your analysis is the one connected to the creator of the film. Dwell upon the style of a filmmaker, His/her political agenda and any controversy about the director's persona. What are his/her most important influences? Is the film connected to any earlier works done by the same director? Don’t forget that each film bears a significant mark of a filmmaker who created it.

The importance of the film within your course – Think over what significance the film has for your studying. Is it based on some historical events that you may study during your history classes? Or maybe it is connected with some works of literature that you've read while doing some other essay ? If yes, how does the script of the film correspond with the story written in the book? The more connections you will find, the more significant your work will be.

Creativity – good directors are always very attentive to the smallest details that can trigger viewer's imagination and create the feeling of a total submerging into the atmosphere of the film. Did the director succeed? What can you say about the locations where the film was shot? Were the costumes well crafted? Did the whole interior correspond with the historical setting of the plot? Write about the score of the film. Was the choice of a composer good? What style of music did he/she prefer to make for the film? How do you estimate the work of the cameracrew? Does the movie have any hidden meaning? Don't miss writing about these moments.

The cast - it is imperative to write about the actors. Was the choice of actors successful? Do they succeed in playing this or that part? Is there something outstanding about their acting? Were any of them perfect to perform their parts?

What is essential : There is no absolute way you should put these items in your work. Everything you will write will be dependent on the demands of your professor, the type of the film you will write about, the course, and your own personal views on what your paper should be like. The perfect way to create an excellent and relevant paper is to do it carefully and naturally. Try to provide it with all the necessary information, include all the significant facts in your work, and try to write it with a sense of joy.

Form of your review

In case your review is destined to become a part of your work in literary studies, there are specific MLA rules that you are to keep to. Here are some of them:

  • Introductory part (the title of the film, the date of its release, the essential information about the film)
  • The part that summarizes the plot
  • The plot elements analysis (action, climax, etc.)
  • Describing the creative part of the film (script, actors, special effects, work of the camera crew, locations, hidden meanings, the mood, the atmosphere)
  • Expressing an opinion about the film (you should substantiate it with vivid examples from the film)
  • Summing all up (dwelling upon the success or failure of a director, the importance of the film within the world of cinematography, the reception of the movie by the viewers, the value of the
  • film for the educational course)

In case you have a documentary under your consideration, try to keep the scheme below:

  • Historical accuracy
  • Reliability of the sources used
  • The usage of creative elements
  • Your own opinion of the film
  • Summarizing the whole analysis

Don't forget to create a distinct outline for your film review. This will help you with organizing your work and keeping it logical and relevant. This is very important if you want to create a good and well-written film review.

how to write a movie review

The process of writing a film review

It is very entertaining to watch a film and to discuss it, so even such a task can turn into a great experience. To make it as much fun as possible, follow these tips:

  • Give the film more than one watch. This should help you to memorize as many details of it as possible. The more information you will put in your work – the better.
  • Surf through the Internet to gather as much information about the film as possible. Pay attention to the personality of the director, the cast, the locations and the background of the film.
  • Think about the film as a whole. It is instrumental, as such technique will help you to get the full understanding of the film under your consideration. If it is based on the book, try to analyze it too.
  • Write a distinct outline
  • Write your own opinions about the film, its cast, locations, script, dialogues, etc. Don’t forget to support your statements with evidence from the film. This is the best way to show the professor that you are capable of thinking critically.

The most widespread mistakes

  • Lack of concentration on the film itself – avoid writing about cinematography in general, the traditions of the genre, the personal life of director or actors, etc. Concentrate on the given piece
  • Try not to make your text too personal. Don't write things like "I think"? "It seems to me," "I hated things like…" as they can interfere the objectiveness of your paper with biased and too personal information.
  • Do not use unreliable sources of information about the film
  • Don’t express your personal opinion without saying why you think like that
  • Write only about relevancies
  • Do not produce an unstructured review

Summing all up

Writing a film review is a great chance to demonstrate your ability to think critically and to analyze a work of cinematography which is by far not the easiest thing to do properly unless you do it carefully. Pay attention to the smallest details, do not overload your paper with the unnecessary information, try to provide your work with vivid examples and don’t be too personal when you analyze the film. Check all the background information, the history of creating the film and the original source of its idea if there is any. In case the film is based on a book, try to analyze it too. It may take some time, but if you do this, your film review has all the chances to be relevant and successful.

Dwell upon the importance of the film for the educational process and how useful it may be to your studies. Such papers are remarkably illustrative and show your ability to think critically. That is why try to write with as attentive as possible, and you will surely succeed with your essay.

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movie review template for college students

How To Write A Movie Review

Barbara P

How to Write a Movie Review - Guide & Examples

How to Write a Movie Review

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A movie review is one of the most common writing assignments that students face. Many people struggle with writing, and some don't know what they should write to meet their teacher's expectations.

The best way to write a movie review is by understanding the purpose. You will get better grades if you understand what's important for a good piece of work.

There are a lot of movie reviews available on different websites on the internet.  However, some are written by amateurs only for fun, and others are written professionally. 

If you want to learn how to write a movie review for college, keep on reading. It is a great chance for you to learn about the world of film criticism. 

In this blog, you will find a step-by-step guide and examples for becoming a perfect movie critique. 

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  • 1. What is a Movie Review?
  • 2. How to Write a Movie Review?
  • 3. Movie Review Example
  • 4. Movie Review Topics
  • 5. Movie Review Writing Tips 

What is a Movie Review?

A movie review is an analysis of a film or a documentary. Writing a great movie review involves detailed research, analysis, and reporting the writer’s view in a logical and structured way.

It is a well-balanced synthesis of personal opinion and a critical analysis of themes and plots. Writing film reviews is considered creative writing. It involves both analytical and innovative approaches to come up with the best movie review.

The combination of an analytical approach and creative skills will help you craft an exhaustive and convincing piece of writing.

Purpose of Writing a Movie Review 

The reason for writing a movie review is to tell others what you think about a movie. 

When you write one, you share your opinions on whether you liked it or not and why. It helps people decide if they want to watch the movie or not. 

So, the purpose is to share your thoughts and help others make a choice about the movie.

The combination of an analytical approach and creative skills will help you craft an exhaustive and convincing piece of writing. 

Important Elements of a Movie Review

All movie reviews have in common the elements that they contain regardless of the genre. The elements of a movie review provide an overall structure on which the whole analysis is based. A good review must comprise the following components:

It is not just enough to include the title in the headlines. Make sure to include it in the text as well as in the introductory paragraph.

Another important element that you need to pay attention to is the storyline, also known as the plot. Mention it clearly and concisely for the readers who have not watched the movie yet.

Don’t forget to dedicate a paragraph to the filmmaker and discuss their personality. Provide some background information and the controversial and political side (if relevant).

The cast is one of the important factors that a movie has. Your review should properly indicate if they have acted well or not. Do not forget to mention if they have the required skills to portray the character they played.

Creative elements play an important role in the overall success or failure of the film. Your movie review must state these elements and how they contributed to the storyline. These elements include costumes, lighting, sound, camera work, etc.

5 C's of a Movie Review - MyPerfectWords.com

How to Write a Movie Review?

Writing a movie review may seem like an impossible task, but it can be learned easily. You should know the movie review format. 

Therefore, you can present both interesting opinions and amazing writing skills clearly without any confusion.

Below are the steps on how to write a movie review that any student can follow. 

1. Watch the Movie

Watch the movie and take notes of the important points. Be focused and conscious throughout the film to record characters, events, minor and major details.

2. Research the Movie

To watch the film only once is not enough; you might have to watch the movie at least 3 times. It is important to give quality time to research as well. Reviews require great research to find some important information. Such as who the filmmaker is, characters, and events that lead to the movie, plot summary, location, symbolism, etc.

3. Create the Movie Review Outline

The best way to organize your review logically is to make an outline first. The outline is a framework on which your whole review is going to stand. It is important to have an outline before you start writing your review. 

Confused how to write a movie review template? Here is an outline for you:

4. Analyze the Movie

Once you understand the movie, start the analysis. Critically evaluate the movie from the start to the end and note each and every detail. Once you analyze and understand each point, you are all set to write a good movie review.

5. Include Examples

A great movie review needs to include relevant examples to support your claims and observations. Mention everything that you have observed while watching the movie. It is not enough to make general statements; you must support your arguments and claims with strong evidence.

6. Write Your Review

After gathering all the required information and examples, you can start the writing process by following the above outline. Make the introduction paragraph exciting and engaging. Reveal as much information as possible in the body paragraphs. To conclude, connect the information back to the introduction in a creative way.

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7. Edit Your Final Draft

Once you are done writing the first draft, make changes and re-write the final version. In the editing phase, be sure to check for important information that might have been left out. Also, check grammar or spelling mistakes before submitting it.

The steps explained above could be used for writing a movie review for middle school, high school, and college. Moreover, you can get help from the following guide.

Check out our how to write a movie review for school example for better understanding:

Writing a Movie Review

Movie Review Example

Want to learn how to write a movie review without spoilers? 

To gain a better understanding of how to write a movie review essay and how film review examples for students look, check out this sample.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green - Movie Review

How To Write A Film Review Pdf

Short Movie Review Examples

Movie Review Topics

Here are some movie review topics that can help put your work in the right direction from the very start.

  • Write a review on Titanic Movie
  • A critical review of Jurassic Park Movie
  • Write A Review on 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • One Cut of the Dead - Review
  • A review of Burning Cane Movie
  • An honest review of The Ron Clark Story Movie
  • The Miracle Worker Movie Review
  • A Comparison between The Boy In the Striped Pajamas Book and Movie
  • Discuss symbolism in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Movie
  • Write a Review about the Film Adaptation of Pride and Prejudice

Movie Review Writing Tips 

Writing a compelling movie review requires a balance of insightful analysis and engaging expression. Here are some tips to enhance your movie review writing:

  • Be Concise: Keep your review focused and concise. Aim for clarity and avoid unnecessary details.
  • Structure Matters: Organize your review with a clear structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Follow a logical flow to guide your readers through your analysis.
  • Balance Opinion and Analysis: Blend personal opinions with objective analysis. Support your views with specific examples from the film.
  • Avoid Spoilers: Be mindful of spoilers. Provide enough information to convey your points without giving away major plot twists.
  • Consider the Audience: Keep your target audience in mind. Tailor your review to the interests and preferences of potential viewers.

All in all, it is not difficult to write a movie review if you know the basics. Just follow this guide and craft an amazing review.

Still if you are facing any issue in writing a movie review, consider taking help from the best writing services at MyPerfectWords.com !

We guarantee a high-quality review written by professional writers. With us, you will submit a movie review worthy of an A grade. 

So, don’t waste time and hire us today!

Frequently Asked Question

How long should a movie review be.

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A movie review is typically around 300 to 500 words, providing enough space to cover key aspects without becoming overly lengthy.

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Barbara P

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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movie review template for college students

Quick Guide on How to Write a Movie Review Essay

movie review template for college students

What Is a Movie Review

The internet has revolutionized the realm of film criticism. No matter a movie's level of quality, it is always worth analyzing. Despite the growing number of individuals attempting to write about movies, few are successful. Most people do not provide insightful analysis, instead simply state how much they liked or disliked the film.

A movie criticism, usually composed by a professional in film studies, takes a comprehensive look at the film from a historical, social, political, or theoretical standpoint. This is unlike the opinion or suggestion given in a movie review, which is shorter and more concise.

A remarkable aspect of a good film review is that it doesn't just rate the movie but provides explicit views that form the critique's basis. This form of writing, like crafting essays, research papers, and term papers, should be insightful and draw the reader in quickly. It's important to discuss the reputation of the lead actors and directors and to write about what you expected and if they were met. The reviewer must explain a story's development without recalling major plot points and endings. The review must be concise, engaging, and should involve metaphors, specific words, analogies, etc.

Movie Review Purpose

Most film reviews are intended to guide readers in deciding whether to view, rent, or purchase the film. They should provide the necessary information to aid readers in deciding without divulging any fundamental details, such as the storyline or any surprises. This paper is common in schools because the lecturer wants to evaluate the student's ability to think critically and report the event easily for others to understand.

Movie reviews typically present a brief summary of the film's storyline. They provide readers with an overview of the characters, relationships, and scenarios but do not convey the complete narrative. Perusing the review should be different from seeing the movie. Nonetheless, feel free to highlight the essential moments or pivotal points that make the film worthwhile viewing.

Our college essay writing service has put together some advice on composing a movie review essay like a real critic, so let's explore the article further!

How to Write a Movie Review: Movie Review Outline

The structure is key when it comes to the quality of your paper. Don't neglect the power of a good outline, no matter what paper you're writing. Outlines help you stay on track and make sure your paper flows well.

Taking the time to arrange your ideas before starting to write is an effective way to save time further down the line. With a well-structured plan already in place, you won't have to worry about other elements. This will also make the writing process less stressful. Here is a guide on how to organize your movie review outline:

Writing a Movie Review_ Step-by-Step Guide

How Do You Start a Movie Review Essay: Introduction

The introductory paragraph is the first obvious step in crafting a movie review essay outline. Here, you want to quickly captivate the reader. Deliver your viewpoint instantly and make it unambiguous. Don't leave the audience wondering whether you enjoyed the film. Tell them right off the bat so you have time to justify your assessment throughout the remainder of the process.

In the introduction movie review should also describe your thesis. Develop the main concept for your essay that you can support using your perceptions of the movie's various aspects. The reader should be able to tell from this statement if you thought the film was fantastic, awful, or simply alright. By including a thesis statement, you may move your analysis beyond the plot synopsis phase into the movie critique category, which is considered a separate creative process.

Crafting Your Essay Movie Review Analysis

According to our research paper service , film analysis is similar to building a case. You're attempting to influence the reader to follow your recommendation to watch or disregard the film. So, you must ensure your essay movie review will be convincing. Giving instances that demonstrate the validity of your personal opinion is the only method to do this. If you find any dialogue in the movie that you think best exemplifies whether the work is strong or not, utilize quotes. This also applies to all of the movie's artistic decisions. But, just because a movie's narrative isn't strong or engaging doesn't indicate the rest of the film is worthless. Carefully highlight how some factors might undermine the movie in your explanation.

The movie's plot is only one component and shouldn't dominate the overall piece. The following are the important aspects to include in your movie review structure:

Cinematography - Cinematography covers much more than simply camera angles. It includes how the picture is lit, how it moves, appears, and what lenses are used. Here you can try the following analysis: 'Warm, gentle colors are used throughout the film, combined with soothing whites and grays, to simultaneously create and gradually tear away the characters' romantic sentiments for one another. There is a painting-like quality to each image.'

Editing - The editing is arguably the absolute star of what creates a good movie review example. It affects both the duration and the flow of a movie. Without effective editing, there would be uncomfortable gaps between pictures and many errors.

Costuming - The clothing the characters wear is called a costume, but there are a number of things to consider while evaluating movie costumes. You should be able to decide if the outfits suit the characters and the movie's atmosphere.

Casting and Acting - Finding the ideal performers to bring characters to life is the goal of casting. This sometimes entails seeing performers portray both familiar personas and figures who are entirely at odds with who they are. Casting, therefore, involves more than just finding talented performers. You can assess the acting in the following way: 'Even though he excels while on the go, his stoic behaviorism causes him to fall short of his co-star during calm scenes where he keeps a blank look on his face.'

Once you have finished analyzing the acting, directing, cinematography, setting, etc., wrap up with concise, stimulating wording to sustain readers' attention. Don't forget to provide a few examples to support your statements about the film.

Concluding Your Essay Movie Review

Finalize your review by coming full circle. Close the review by returning to your introductory fact or thesis. Give your readers a refresher on the movie's most intriguing aspects. It's important to remember that before choosing a movie, viewers check reviews. Finish with a statement indicating whether it is worthwhile for them to view. Be specific about who this movie will be more fascinating to and why in your suggestions. Remember that your ending is your last shot at influencing your audience, so use it wisely.

No matter the kind of movie review you have to complete, our professional specialists are willing to help you. Directly forward your needs to our research paper service and get it done quickly.

Need Help With MOVIE REVIEW WRITING?

No matter what type of movie review you want, our qualified specialists are ready to assist you.

Short Movie Review Form

If you are currently working on a new or old movie review, reading our suggestions should be sufficient to help you earn an A. So what if you'll be writing many reviews in the future? In this situation, we advise you to develop a uniform movie review template, which will enable you to save time and complete your upcoming projects successfully.

So, how to write a movie review template, you may ask? Well, our essay helper prepared a simple yet great movie review template you may use as a foundation for your own writing if you need some help getting started:

movie review form

Example Papers

Once you know how to review a movie and learn the most valuable tips to handle this assignment, it is time to look at some movie review examples to get you on the right track.

Check out the following pieces to see which of these movie review essay examples you might want to keep at hand when working on your own assignment:

Helpful Tips on Writing Movie Reviews

Here are some extra helpful tips to keep in mind when unsure how to write a movie review essay:

Mistakes to Avoid While Making a Movie Review

  • Add Your Own Personal Feel to Your Movie Critique - You might not have much spare time for your pastime of reviewing. You won't be able to write a movie review, though, if you just wing it without reading what others have said. Make a note of the things that intrigued you, alarmed you, made you uncomfortable, or caused you to pause and consider something, and then use that list as the basis for your research.
  • Develop a Distinctive Writing Style - Have an idol—it's good for you. You must be careful not to just paraphrase and duplicate what they say without adding your own original viewpoint. Instead, in order to stand out from the throng, you must discover your own voice. When writing movie reviews, you should also have a distinct writing style.
  • Include Extensive Information -Mention the film's photographer, special effects designer, and director. Your review might be significantly impacted by this. Then you may list all the memorable movie moments that also stuck with you.
  • Voice Your Views and Back Up Your Criticism - Give your own assessment of the film. Make sure you have evidence to support your criticisms. Use the movie's details that most shocked or humiliated you. Review genuine information rather than merely expressing your opinions without supporting details.

Final Thoughts

Composing a good movie review essay sample is easy if you follow this article's main steps and techniques. Furthermore, we strongly believe that this guide will assist you in achieving remarkable outcomes and ease your writing process. The staff at EssayPro is always available to provide a helping hand if you need a little additional push with movie review examples or even if it's simply coming up with a catchy essay title .

Order an essay and await excellent results! Contact our expert writers and ask them to ' write my essay for me ' – and they will ensure your academic success!

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FAQs on Writing an Essay Movie Review

Here are the most frequently asked questions on how to write a movie review. We provided extra details on movie analysis to simplify writing film reviews.

What are the 6 Important Things to Include in a Film Review?

How long should a movie review be, what are the 5 c's in film, related articles.

Types of Narrative Writing

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Sample Movie Reviews

movie reviews

A movie review is basically a sample report on a movie. This has been generally written by experts or critiques after watching a film. A film review includes a lot of things. It changes from one person to another, and the reason is simple. Different people watch a movie from different perspectives and create different kinds of opinions. Professional reviews for films should be well formatted. They should follow professional tone of writing. To write a movie review, you can check out some of the online movie review examples. You can also see  film review templates .

Movie Review

10+ book review templates, 9+ film review templates.

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New Movie Reviews This Week

“whispers in the dark”.

Directed by: Alex Rivera Starring: Sofia Boutella, Michael B. Jordan, and Rami Malek Genre: Thriller/Mystery Release Date: This week

Synopsis: In “Whispers in the Dark,” Sofia Boutella plays a detective with a troubled past who teams up with a clairvoyant (Rami Malek) to solve a series of mystifying murders in a small, eerie town. Michael B. Jordan portrays the town’s mayor, whose charming facade may hide dark secrets.

Review: Alex Rivera delivers a gripping thriller that masterfully blends elements of mystery and the supernatural. The cinematography, with its haunting use of shadows and light, amplifies the chilling atmosphere. Boutella’s performance is riveting, capturing the complexity of her character’s inner turmoil and determination. Malek provides a captivating contrast with his enigmatic and quietly intense portrayal of the clairvoyant. While the plot occasionally treads familiar ground, the chemistry between the leads and the stunning visual storytelling keep you engaged. The twist ending, though somewhat predictable, is executed with enough finesse to be satisfying.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recommendation: Fans of mysteries and supernatural thrillers will find “Whispers in the Dark” a compelling watch. It’s a visually striking film that manages to entertain and intrigue, despite some formulaic moments.

new movie reviews this week

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Movie Reviews For Parents

“sunrise over mars” – parental review.

Content Overview: This sci-fi adventure centers on humanity’s first mission to colonize Mars, exploring themes of exploration, ethical dilemmas, and the human condition. The film is visually stunning, with no explicit violence, but contains moments of peril and emotional intensity.

Positive Messages: “Sunrise Over Mars” promotes curiosity, bravery, and the spirit of exploration. It raises important questions about humanity’s impact on new environments and the ethical considerations of colonization. The characters’ dedication to their mission and each other, even in the face of daunting challenges, serves as a strong example of teamwork and perseverance.

Parental Concerns: The main concerns for parents might include the film’s complex themes, which could be too advanced for younger children. Some scenes of peril, as the crew faces the dangers of space travel, might also be intense for sensitive viewers.

Age Recommendation: Recommended for children aged 10 and older, particularly those interested in space and science. The movie offers a good opportunity for families to discuss space exploration, environmental responsibility, and working together towards a common goal.

movie reviews for parents

Movie Reviews Website

Website structure and design.

  • Homepage : Feature the latest reviews, highlights, and editor picks. Use a clean, visually appealing layout with easy navigation to different sections of your site.
  • Review Sections : Organize reviews by genre, release date, and ratings. Consider having sections for “Now Showing,” “Coming Soon,” and “Classic Hits” to cater to a wide range of movie enthusiasts.
  • Detailed Review Pages : Each movie should have its own page where you provide the film’s basic information (like director, cast, synopsis) followed by your in-depth review. Include a section for user comments to engage your audience.
  • Parental Guide : A dedicated section for parents, focusing on content suitability for children, highlighting themes, messages, and any content warnings.
  • About Us and Contact Page : Introduce your team and your mission. Provide contact information or a form for feedback and inquiries.
  • Search Functionality : Ensure users can easily search for specific movies, genres, or actors.
  • Responsive Design : Your website should be mobile-friendly, as a significant portion of users will likely access your content via their phones or tablets.

Content Tips

  • Engaging Reviews : Write compelling, honest reviews that provide value to your readers. Include both a spoiler-free synopsis and a deeper analysis that touches on the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Multimedia Elements : Incorporate trailers, movie posters, and images to make your reviews visually engaging. If possible, add video reviews or discussions.
  • User Interaction : Encourage user ratings and comments. Consider features like polls (“Did you like this movie?”) to increase engagement.
  • SEO Optimization : Use keywords effectively in your content and meta tags to improve your site’s visibility on search engines.
  • Social Media Integration : Allow users to share reviews on social media platforms. Also, maintain active social media profiles to promote your content and engage with your audience.
  • Newsletter Subscription : Offer a subscription option for users to get updates on the latest reviews and news.
  • Regular Updates : Keep your content fresh with regular updates, including new releases, movie news, and featured articles.

Technical Aspects

  • Fast Loading Times : Optimize images and choose a reliable hosting service to ensure your website loads quickly.
  • Security : Implement security measures to protect your site and users’ data, especially if you’re collecting emails or personal information.
  • Analytics : Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitor behavior, which can help you understand your audience better and refine your content strategy.

Creating a movie reviews website can be a fulfilling project, providing a platform to share your passion for films and build a community with similar interests. Remember, the key to success lies in offering unique, engaging content and a user-friendly experience.

movie reviews website

Film Review Examples For Students

Film review example 1: “the journey of heroes” (fictional movie).

Title: “The Journey of Heroes” Director: Elena Vasquez Genre: Adventure/Fantasy Release Year: 2024

Plot Summary: “The Journey of Heroes” is a thrilling adventure that follows a group of unlikely friends on a quest to save their kingdom from an ancient evil. Along the way, they must overcome personal fears, solve mystifying puzzles, and battle formidable foes. The film is a dazzling display of courage, friendship, and the power of believing in oneself.

Themes: At its core, this movie explores the theme of heroism in everyday individuals. It challenges the traditional notion of heroes, suggesting that bravery and heroism come from within and are not determined by one’s background or status. The film also delves into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of teamwork.

Character Analysis: The protagonist, Alex, is a relatable character whose journey from a timid villager to a courageous hero is both inspiring and heartwarming. Alex’s growth is a testament to the film’s message that anyone can be a hero. The supporting characters, each with their unique skills and personalities, contribute significantly to the narrative, making the adventure even more engaging.

Personal Reflection: “The Journey of Heroes” captivated me with its stunning visuals and compelling storyline. The characters’ growth and the challenges they faced resonated with me, reminding me of the importance of friendship and believing in oneself. The movie’s message that heroism comes in many forms is a powerful takeaway that encourages viewers to find the hero within themselves.

Recommendation: I highly recommend “The Journey of Heroes” to anyone who enjoys adventure and fantasy. It’s a movie that not only entertains but also inspires, making it perfect for viewers of all ages.

film review examples for students

Browse More Templates On Movie Reviews

1. sample movie review template.

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2. Movie Review Magazine Format

movie review magazine template

3. Movie Review Assignment Template

movie review assignment sample

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Those, who are studying films or movies, are often assigned the job of writing a movie review. To make your assignment good and engaging for the faculties, you can use this piece of business review template .

Tips For Giving a Movie Review

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Certainly! When crafting a movie review, whether for a blog, publication, or even a social media post, your goal is to inform, engage, and perhaps persuade your readers. Here are 8 tips to help you give a compelling movie review:

  • Watch the Movie More Than Once : It’s crucial to fully understand the plot, characters, and nuances. Watching the movie more than once can help you catch details you missed the first time, ensuring a more thorough review.
  • Understand Your Audience : Tailor your review to your audience’s preferences and interests. Are they looking for deep, artistic critiques, or do they prefer a casual, entertaining overview? Understanding this will guide your writing style and content.
  • Start with a Hook : Begin your review with an engaging sentence or question that grabs attention. You could start with a surprising fact, a poignant quote from the movie, or a bold statement about your overall impression.
  • Provide a Brief Synopsis : Give a short overview of the movie’s plot, but be careful not to include spoilers. Your goal is to give readers a context for your critique without ruining their experience.
  • Evaluate the Elements of Filmmaking : Discuss aspects like directing, acting, cinematography, editing, score, and how they contribute to or detract from the movie. Highlight what stands out, for better or worse.
  • Share Your Personal Opinion : A review is, after all, an expression of your personal viewpoint. Share your own reactions and thoughts about the movie. Was it engaging? Did it evoke any strong emotions? How does it compare to other similar films?
  • Be Honest but Fair : It’s important to be truthful about your experience of the movie, but also to remember that filmmaking is a complex, collaborative effort. Offer constructive criticism and acknowledge the positive aspects, even if the movie didn’t entirely meet your expectations.
  • Recommendation and Rating : Conclude by stating whether you would recommend the movie and to which audience. If you use a rating system, provide a score along with a brief explanation of your rationale.

Remember, the essence of a great review lies in balancing objectivity with personal insight, providing your readers with a well-rounded perspective that helps them make an informed decision about whether to watch the movie.

4. Documentary Movie Review in PDF

movie review introduction sample

Size: 147 KB

This is a simple introductory movie review template. You can use this template to write a movie review for any magazine. Students can also use this sample to work on their movie review assignment. You may also see  after action review templates

What is a Movie Review?

Movie review is a report on a movie. Critiques or students of arts or films often need to write movie reviews. Magazines or e-magazines also require publishing good movie reviews for the readers. Like creating movie is an art, writing movie review is an art too. A movie review should follow some definite guidelines and formats. You can also see  self review

It should be interesting, and it should be ethical. The writer should write a review from an unbiased or impartial perspective. To write better quality movie reviews, you can check some online film review sample. Following sample will help you master the art of writing movie review with precision. You may also see  employee review

  • Introduction: The review typically begins with an introduction that includes basic information about the film, such as the title, director, release date, and genre. The reviewer may also provide some context or background information relevant to the movie.
  • Synopsis: A brief summary of the plot is often included to give readers an overview of the storyline without revealing major spoilers. This section sets the stage for the reviewer’s sample analysis.
  • Analysis of Plot and Storyline: The reviewer delves into the plot, examining its coherence, originality, and pacing. They may discuss the effectiveness of the narrative structure, plot twists, and any unique storytelling techniques employed.
  • Character Assessment: Characters play a crucial role in any film. The review evaluates the development of characters, the performances of the actors portraying them, and the chemistry between characters. This section may also highlight standout performances.
  • Cinematography and Visual Elements: The visual aspects of the film are scrutinized, including cinematography, special effects, set design, and overall aesthetics. The reviewer assesses how these elements contribute to the overall cinematic experience.
  • Direction and Filmmaking Techniques: The director’s choices and techniques are examined, including their use of camera angles, framing, and editing. The review considers how the director’s vision contributes to the film’s impact.
  • Soundtrack and Score: The musical score and soundtrack can greatly influence the mood and atmosphere of a movie. The reviewer discusses the effectiveness of the music in enhancing the viewing experience.
  • Themes and Messages: Many films convey underlying themes or messages. The review may explore these deeper layers, discussing the social, cultural, or philosophical aspects explored in the movie.
  • Audience Appeal: The reviewer considers the target audience and assesses whether the film successfully caters to its intended viewership. This includes evaluating the film’s accessibility and entertainment value.
  • Conclusion: The review concludes with a summary of the reviewer’s overall impressions. This section may include a recommendation for the target audience, a rating, or a final verdict on the film’s success.

A well-crafted movie review combines objective analysis with subjective opinions, providing readers with valuable insights to help them decide whether the film is worth watching.

5. Movie Review Conclusion Template

movie review conclusion sample

Size: 70 KB

Typically, a movie review comes with various sections. Among different parts, introduction and conclusion are the most important sections. If you want to master your skills for writing movie reviews, check this conclusion sample.You may also see  employee performance review .

6. Movie Review Evaluation Essay Example

movie review evaluation essay

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A movie review evaluates a movie, and similarly the reviews can also be evaluated. Here is a sample essay which can be used for evaluating a movie review with precision. You may also see  management review .

What should a good movie review include?

A good movie review should offer a well-rounded critique while providing essential information to the reader without giving away spoilers. Here are some key elements it should include:

  • Basic Information : Title, director, genre, release date, main cast, and the crew should be mentioned early on to give readers an immediate understanding of what and who the film involves.
  • Synopsis : A brief overview of the plot, providing enough detail to intrigue the reader without spoiling major twists or the ending. The aim is to give a sense of what the movie is about and its central theme or premise.
  • Direction : Commentary on the director’s style and how it influences the film. Discuss how the director uses visuals, pacing, and narrative structure to enhance the story.
  • Performance : Evaluate the acting. Highlight standout performances and discuss how actors inhabit their roles.
  • Cinematography : Observe the film’s visual style and cinematography. Discuss how the camera work and lighting contribute to the mood and storytelling.
  • Editing : Comment on the pacing and flow of the film, how scenes transition, and the rhythm of the movie.
  • Score and Soundtrack : Analyze the effectiveness of the music and sound design in evoking emotions or enhancing scenes.
  • Production Design : Note the setting, costumes, and props. Discuss how they contribute to the film’s authenticity or aesthetic.
  • Script and Dialogue : Discuss the writing quality, including dialogue and character development. Note if the script effectively conveys the film’s themes.
  • Evaluation : Offer a critical assessment of the film’s success in achieving its goals. Discuss what worked well and what didn’t, including any aspects that felt lacking or particularly noteworthy.
  • Comparative Analysis : If relevant, compare the film to other works by the same director, within the same genre, or alongside its source material (if it’s an adaptation).
  • Personal Reflection : Share your personal reaction to the film. This can include emotional responses, reflections on the themes, or how it relates to contemporary issues or personal experiences.
  • Recommendation : Conclude with a recommendation. Who is the movie best suited for? Consider different types of audiences: genre fans, age groups, or viewers with specific interests.
  • Rating : If applicable, include a rating based on your criteria or scale.

Remember, a good review balances objective analysis with personal opinion, providing readers with the information they need to decide whether the movie is worth their time while offering an engaging, thoughtful critique.

7. Movie Review Lesson Plan Template

movie review lesson plan

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8. Book Movie Review Template

movie review template

Size: 324 KB

9. Sample Film Review Template

sample film review

How to Write a Movie Review?

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Writing a movie review is not an easy task, as it involves a lot of things. The reviewer has to be unbiased while writing a review. The reviewer should watch the film with precision before penning a review. Apart from these, a movie review comes with a fixed format and a few important guidelines. You can also see  management review

For example, you need to write with a strong beginning or introduction. Introduction should speak about the movie and its casting. After that reviewing portion comes, and in the body you should include important details and your opinions on the movie. Conclusion should be strong and justified. You may also see  book review

A writer or a film critique or a student of films has to write a review on movies. However, many of us do not have proper idea on how to write a review perfectly. Some people make basic mistakes while writing. To craft your own movie review with perfection, download some online templates or samples. You may also see  film storyboards

Writing a Movie Review involves expressing your opinions and insights about a film in an engaging and informative way. Here’s a guide on how to write a movie review:

  • Begin with a catchy and informative introduction to grab the reader’s attention.
  • Include essential details like the movie title, director, release date, and genre.
  • Provide a brief summary of the plot without giving away spoilers.
  • Mention the setting, main characters, and the central conflict.
  • Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the storyline.
  • Evaluate the plot twists, pacing, and how well it keeps the audience engaged.
  • Analyze the main characters’ performances, highlighting standout performances.
  • Discuss character development and the actors’ ability to convey emotions.
  • Evaluate the cinematography, considering aspects like camera work, lighting, and overall visual appeal.
  • Discuss how the visuals contribute to the storytelling and mood.
  • Assess the director’s choices in storytelling, pacing, and scene composition.
  • Comment on the director’s ability to bring out the desired emotions.
  • Discuss the impact of the music and soundtrack on the movie’s atmosphere.
  • Evaluate how well the soundtrack complements the scenes.
  • Explore the underlying themes and messages conveyed in the movie.
  • Discuss whether the film successfully communicates its intended messages.
  • Consider the target audience and discuss whether the movie caters to their expectations.
  • Mention if the film has universal appeal or is niche-specific.
  • If relevant, compare the movie to others in the same genre or by the same director.
  • Highlight unique aspects that set the film apart.
  • Summarize your overall thoughts on the movie.
  • Provide a recommendation or rating based on your personal opinion.
  • Add a personal touch by sharing your emotional response to the film.
  • Include any personal connections, experiences, or reflections the movie evoked.
  • Before publishing, review and edit your review for clarity and coherence.
  • Ensure there are no grammatical errors or typos.

Remember, a good movie review balances critique with appreciation, offering readers valuable insights into whether the film is worth watching.

10. Basic Movie Review Template

basic movie review

Size: 51 KB

Does a movie review need a title?

Yes, a movie review benefits from a catchy and informative title. A well-crafted title can intrigue readers and give them a preview of the main focus or opinion expressed in the review.

How many pages should a movie review be?

The length of a movie review can vary, but a concise and effective review typically ranges from 500 to 1,000 words, spanning one to two pages for a thorough analysis without being overly lengthy.

Is it legal to review a movie?

Yes, it is legal to review a movie. Movie reviews fall under the category of fair use, allowing individuals to express their opinions and critiques as long as they do not infringe on copyright.

Why do people read movie reviews?

People read movie reviews to make informed decisions about what to watch. Reviews provide insights into the plot, acting, and overall quality, helping viewers choose movies aligned with their preferences.

What do you call a movie review?

A movie review is a critical analysis or evaluation of a film. It typically includes sample assessments of the plot, acting, direction, cinematography, and overall impact, guiding viewers in their movie choices.

In conclusion, this movie captivates with its compelling narrative, stellar performances, and masterful direction. A cinematic triumph, it seamlessly weaves emotion and spectacle, leaving a lasting impression that transcends the screen.

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COMMENTS

  1. PDF Film Review

    Writing the Film Review Although there is not a set formula to follow when writing a film review, the genre does have certain common elements that most film reviews include. 1) Introduction - In the opening of your review, provide some basic information about the film. You may include film's name, year, director, screenwriter, and major actors.

  2. How to Write a Movie Review for College

    Name of the director. Title of the book (if based on a book) Draft the review outline: Draft an outline with which you will write the review. The overview will help you organize your review concisely and logically. The outline is more like the skeletal frame on which the whole study will stand.

  3. How to Write a Good Movie Review for College

    Movie review example for college students. In the sample below you can read an excerpt of a movie review dedicated to the movie "Donnie Darko." The author makes a brief overview on the movie, touches the main themes, and makes an argument about the main character. Consider the structure, word choice, and phrases that you can apply to your ...

  4. The Best Movie Review Templates

    Movie review templates are great tools to streamline the movie-reviewing process. A well-structured template can help you organize your thoughts and ideas, ... An alternative film template for students, this movie review worksheet allows more space for critical thought on a film. Get the Template! Editable Film Review Templates. Movie Log ...

  5. How to Write a Movie Review

    A few ways you can do this is by talking about a specific actor or director, or by using one of the main plot points of the movie. For example, "A Romantic Comedy for the Unromantic", or "Chris Pratt Plays Against Type in the Best Possible Way". Look at the titles of some movie review examples for inspiration! ‍.

  6. How to Write a Movie Review (with Sample Reviews)

    Find a place to mention the director's name and the full movie title. If you feel you must discuss information that might "spoil" things for readers, warn them first. 2. Start to talk about the film's technical and artistic choices. Plot is just one piece of a movie, and shouldn't dictate your entire review.

  7. How to Write a Movie Review for College

    This is the ideal structure of a movie review for the college. Introduction - start with a hook and include basic details of the movie such as name, year of release, director, actors, and central theme. This paragraph should end with the thesis statement; Summary - provide a concise summary of the plot;

  8. How to Write a Movie Review: 5 Tips for Writing Movie Reviews

    Whether it's for pleasure or a job assignment, writing a good movie review can be a useful exercise that allows you to explore your personal connection to a film. If you've recently watched a film and want to share your opinions about it, there are a few best practices that can help you compose a balanced, thoughtful, and entertaining movie review.

  9. How To Write A College Movie Review

    Adopt a good structure for your text. While writing a movie review, it's wise to use a structure that allows your content to flow with ease. Just like in business writing, your content requires an introduction that can hook the reader and make a clear statement of your option on the movie. Make the body brief but logical and informative.

  10. How to Write a Movie Review: 10 Essential Tips

    1. Watch the film at least once. For new reviewers, it's impossible to capture everything after one viewing. Watching the film first, then watching to take notes, is an easy way to improve the quality of your final review. This will also make it easy to recall in-the-moment thoughts and reactions.

  11. How to write a film review

    Another thing to remember is that your review should always have a title, and that title should include the name of the film. Introduction - Essential details and mini-summary. Summary - A description of the film and some important details. Analysis - An evaluation of different elements. Conclusion - Your opinion and a recommendation.

  12. How to write a Movie Review like a Pro

    Copying an existing movie review is a suicide mission. Instead, look for movie review examples for college students. Do movie reviews get assigned to non-English Majors? Yes, even students from psychology, sociology, history, or business are given movie review assignments. The aim is to assess your critical thinking and creativity skills.

  13. How To Write A Movie Review: Guide For College Students

    Writer's opinion. Now that if you write in MLA, follow these guidelines: Indoor with the title and release date only. Summary of the plot. Evaluation of plot elements (rising action, culmination, etc.) Use of color, emotions, voice, etc. Personal opinion. Writing a conclusion for a film review is easy.

  14. How To Write A Good Movie Review Guide (with Example) For College

    Pay attention to the personality of the director, the cast, the locations and the background of the film. Think about the film as a whole. It is instrumental, as such technique will help you to get the full understanding of the film under your consideration. If it is based on the book, try to analyze it too.

  15. Learn How to Write a Movie Review With This Easy Guide

    Such as who the filmmaker is, characters, and events that lead to the movie, plot summary, location, symbolism, etc. 3. Create the Movie Review Outline. The best way to organize your review logically is to make an outline first. The outline is a framework on which your whole review is going to stand.

  16. How To Write a Movie Review Essay

    Provide the title and release date, and the names of the director, screenwriter, and major actors. Context. You don't need to trace the film's entire history while movie review writing, but your audience will appreciate a little bit of context. Hook.

  17. Guide on Movie Review with Free Samples and Tips

    A remarkable aspect of a good film review is that it doesn't just rate the movie but provides explicit views that form the critique's basis. This form of writing, like crafting essays, research papers, and term papers, should be insightful and draw the reader in quickly. It's important to discuss the reputation of the lead actors and directors ...

  18. PDF Sample Student-Friendly Movie Reviews

    Director:AndrewStanton. •. Genre:Sci-Fi. •. RunningTime:97minutes. RatedG:Big-heartedandfullofwonder,buttoosm. arttobesaccharine. "The first hour of Wall-E is a crazily inventive, deliriously engaging and almost wordless silent comedy of the sort that. Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton used to make.".

  19. Movie Review Writing Template (teacher made)

    Use our movie review template to provide students with a way to make a meaningful connection to a movie after viewing. Print and distribute this resource for an independent assignment as a follow-up to watching a movie, where students will be asked to review the movie they watched and provide information about the plot and characters. This movie review template can be a great ELA exercise ...

  20. Movie Review Template (teacher made)

    This movie review template features sections for students to write the title of the movie, the director's name, and what their favourite part of the film was. There is also space for them to draw their favourite scene from the film, and, perhaps most importantly, a five-star diagram similar to what is used for professional movie reviews, where ...

  21. PDF Movie Review Rubric

    The review focuses on the following areas: character(s), setting, and plot. The review focuses 2 of 3: character, setting, plot. The review includes only one of the following: character, setting, and plot. The review does not include a description of character, setting, or plot. Opinion/Supporting Details. Student rating____ Teacher rating____.

  22. FREE 13+ Sample Movie Reviews in Word, PDF

    Film Review Examples For Students Film Review Example 1: "The Journey of Heroes" (Fictional Movie) Title: "The Journey of Heroes" Director: Elena Vasquez Genre: Adventure/Fantasy Release Year: 2024 Plot Summary: "The Journey of Heroes" is a thrilling adventure that follows a group of unlikely friends on a quest to save their kingdom from an ancient evil.

  23. Film Review Templates for College Student

    FILM REVIEW. student 1 student 2 ITE 202. Sir Lowel Urian. Title of the film. Introduction In this part you need to provide some general information about the film: title, release date, main actors, filmmakers, film company, link (if applicable) etc. Summary of the Story This is a short exposition of movie plot, characters and their interaction.