A Film Review
description
Transcript of A Film Review
![Page 1: A Film Review](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022052323/5588c073d8b42ad9448b4570/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
A Film Review is a short description of a film. It is written to give a
brief description and evaluation of a movie. It gives viewers
someone’s opinion and recommendation about whether (or
not) they should watch a film.
A film review may be formal or semi-formal in style,
depending on its intended readership, and is usually written
using present tenses. You can also use a variety of
adjectives to describe the plot and make
your comments more clear and to the point.
A successful film review should consist of:
a) An INTRODUCTION in which you summarize all the
background information of the film (i.e. title, name of
author/director, type, setting(when/where), the theme, the
main characters, etc.)
b) A MAIN BODY consisting of two paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: About the main points of the plot, presented
in chronological order without revealing the ending.
Paragraph 2: Including general comments on the plot, the
main characters, the acting, the directing, etc.
c) A CONCLUSION which includes an overall assessment of the
work and/or a recommendation, usually with justification.
![Page 2: A Film Review](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022052323/5588c073d8b42ad9448b4570/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Reviews are normally found in newspapers or magazines.
Useful Expressions
Background:
The film tells the story of …
The film is based on …
The film starts …
The film is set in …
The film is directed by …
The film is the sequel to …
It is a comedy/horror film/love story
Main points of the plot:
The story concerns / is about / begins with…
The storyline/ plot revolves around / focuses on
The plot is (rather) boring / thrilling.
The plot has an unexpected twist.
The story reaches a dramatic climax when
The story unfolds
The plot is gripping/dramatic/fascinating/suspense-filled/
predictable/ confusing/dull/unimaginative
General Comments:
It is rather long/boring/confusing/slow
The cast is excellent/awful/unconvincing
The script is dull/exciting/ bright
The script is touching/witty/hilarious/boring/mundane
It is beautifully/poorly/badly written
![Page 3: A Film Review](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022052323/5588c073d8b42ad9448b4570/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
It has a tragic/dramatic end
It is a classic of its kind / It is sure to be a hit
The ending is surprising / predictable
Is the leading actor/actress
Plays/has the leading role
Recommendations:
Don’t miss it. It is well worth seeing
I wouldn’t recommend it because …
I highly/thoroughly recommend it
Wait until it comes out on video
You should definitely see … / You might enjoy …
It’s bound to be a box-office hit / blockbuster
Types of Films/Genres
Comedy = a film that makes people laugh.
Romance/ love story = a film about a love story.
Animated film = a film in which cartoons are brought to life.
Mystery = a film about strange events that are not solved
until the very end of the story.
Action film = an exciting film full of adventure and danger.
Science fiction = a film about life in space / the future
Horror = a film about a frightening story.
Biography = the story of a person’s life written by someone
else.
Thriller = a film depicting crime, mystery, or espionage in an
atmosphere of excitement and suspense.
Detective = a film about someone who investigates crimes
and obtains evidence leading to their resolution mystery.
Western = a film that portraits the conquest of the
wilderness and the subordination of nature, in the
![Page 4: A Film Review](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022052323/5588c073d8b42ad9448b4570/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
name of civilization, or the confiscation of the
territorial rights of the original inhabitants of the
frontier.
Musical = a film that is centered on combinations of music,
dance, song and choreography as part of the film
narrative.
Crime & Gangster = a film that is developed around the
sinister actions of criminals or gangsters,
particularly bankrobbers, or underworld figures who
operate outside the law.
Epics & Historical = Films that recreate past events.
War and Anti-War = Films that depict the horror and
heartbreak of war: combat, survivor, escape stories,
sacrifice and struggle.
Useful Words
Soundtrack
Script
Plot / Storyline
Stunts (stuntman)
Special effects
Box-office hit
Leading character
Supporting character
Masterpiece
Star
Hero/Heroine
Opening
End/Ending
Episode
Premiere
Climax
Cast of
characters
Sequence/scene
![Page 5: A Film Review](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022052323/5588c073d8b42ad9448b4570/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Adjectives referring to Films
Good/
Interesting
fantastic, fascinating/gripping,
excellent, superb, original, brilliant,
wonderful, long running, well-
developed, convincing
Exciting
Thrilling, action-packed, full of
suspense, scary
Funny
hilarious, amusing, entertaining
Sad
moving, touching
Boring
dull, unimaginative
Bad
terrible, awful, dreadful, poor,
unrealistic, predictable, unbelievable
The film was not
interesting and I
was bored.
Use adjectives ending in:
–ing to describe people
or things.
Use adjectives ending in
–ed to describe people’s
feelings
When you are describing the
plot of a film, use the Present
Simple.
The leading actor
wants to find the
lost boy, so he goes
into the jungle
![Page 6: A Film Review](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022052323/5588c073d8b42ad9448b4570/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Relative Clauses
To make your review more interesting to the reader, you can add
details about the plot using relative clauses
e.g. Detective Larch wants to catch Scar. Scar is a diamond
smuggler.
→ Detective Larch wants to catch Scar who is a diamond
smuggler.
William discovers a secret path. It leads to the castle.
→ William discovers a secret path which leads to the castle.
Claire is a teacher. Her son wins a scholarship to study biology.
→ Claire is a teacher whose son wins a scholarship to study
biology.
They travel to New York. In New York they meet a very unusual
taxi driver.
→ They travel to New York where they meet a very unusual taxi
driver.
Bibliography
Evans, Virginia (2008). Successful Writing Intermediate. EU: Express Publishing.
Evans, Virginia (1998). Successful Writing Proficiency. EU: Express Publishing.
Moutsou E. & Parker S. (1999). Plus Elementary. Greece: MM Publications.
Material adapted by Mtra. Lina Cruz Ortega