How to Write an Excellent Film Review

Film reviews are a fun thing just like the films themselves. Not all films are fun but reviews, they can all be fun.

What is a Film Review and Who Can Write a Film Review?

When most people think of a film review, they think of a professional critic sitting in a movie theater writing down their thoughts on a film.

However, a film review can be so much more than that!

One boring definition of a film review can be that it is a critical evaluation of a film in a professional sense. Film or movie review is a critical perspective of a film typically in terms of its artistic merits and its contribution to the cinema.

It can also refer to the process of judging a film's worth or value. Most moviegoers take film reviews seriously in the selection of movie watching experience.

In a sense, movie reviews are a guide in what to watch and what to avoid.

A film review can be simply defined as a critical evaluation of a film with a hint of personal opinion here and there. It can be positive, negative, or a mix of both.

A film review can also be written by anyone with an opinion on a film, not just a professional critic.

Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a film buff, if you have something to say about a film you've seen, you can write a film review.

How to Write the Perfect Film Review?

First and foremost, a film review is a critical assessment of a film, looking closely at its artistic and/or entertainment value.

A good film review should offer a thoughtful, well-argued opinion on the film in question, backed up by specific points deducted from experiencing the movie.

In order to write a good film review, it is important to first see the film in question with full attention and focus. It would be wiser to watch it more than one time as to not miss anything worth talking about in your review. This will allow you to really get a sense for the film's strengths and weaknesses, and to form a more complete and nuanced opinion.

It is not recommended but it can be important to read other reviews of the film, both positive and negative, to get a sense of the critical consensus.

However, once you set to write your thoughts, everything you jot down should not be entirely influenced by the opinion of other movie reviewers or the common moviegoers.

Once you have a good sense of the film and the general critical reaction to it, you can start to formulate your own opinion.

Begin by writing a brief summary of the film, then move on to discussing its merits and demerits.

Was the film well-crafted and visually appealing? Was the story interesting and well-told? What are the negatives and dull moments of the movie? Which actors stand out with their acts? etc. are a few questions that need to be answered in your review.

A good film review should be well-written, informative, and entertaining. It should provide a detailed analysis of the film while also offering the reader a personal opinion.

A sound review should also offer some background information on the film, such as its cast information, production history or the director's previous work.

Outline For an Engaging Film Review

A good film review should have a clear and concise outline that covers all of the important aspects of the film.

Here is a basic outline that can be used for most films:

Note: I would suggest to put cast information, director and writers name, movie duration, genre, and if it is an OTT release then tell your readers where they can stream the movie, before going through with your review.

Introduction: Give a brief overview of the plot and main characters. Or give a catchy first paragraph that encourages people to read the full review. Pick the best thing about the movie and talk about that at the very first but be precisely brief.

Briefly tell about the Story: A little overview of the story. Little to no spoiler, remember that.

Positives: What did you like about the film? Be specific and mention both the good and okay aspects.

Negatives: What did you dislike about the film?

Star Performances: Some movies run on star power. So, talk about which performances impressed you the most.

Overall: Give your final thoughts on the film and whether or not you would recommend it.

Your Rating of The Movie: Do not post your rating of the film at the top of your review page as it would discourage most readers from reading your full review. Your rating should be the last thing in your review.

How to Start Your Review of a Film

There are a number of ways to approach writing a film review. You could, for example, discuss the cinematography, acting, plot, or themes of the film.

Alternatively, you could focus on a specific scene or moments in the film and discuss what they mean to you.

Here are a few examples of film reviews to get you started:

1. "The Godfather" is a classic film about the Mafia. The acting is superb, the plot is gripping, and the film is visually stunning. But what I loved most about the movie is...
2. "The Shawshank Redemption" is an uplifting story about hope and friendship, set in a brutal prison system. The acting is phenomenal, and the film is beautifully shot. Despite all that, did you know that this classic evergreen movie was a box-office failure?
3. "The Dark Knight" is a dark and gritty superhero film that explores the themes of justice and morality. The acting is excellent, the action is thrilling, and the film is visually stunning. What is interesting is that the best thing about the movie, in my opinion, is not the Batman but...

Just to add on this, do not shy away from reviewing old classic movies. When you review such classic like "The Godfather", almost all of your readers have already seen the movie so it does not matter how you write your review.

They are only going to be interested on reading your perspective on such a hugely popular movie.

Do not forget to be absolutely honest in your take on classic as these cinema masterpieces have a loyal fanbase and admirers.

Tips to Take Your Review From Good to Excellent

An excellent film review is just like any other engaging content. Your review should help the reader make his choice about the particular movie.

And if the reader has already seen the movie and wants to learn about what opinion others have of the movie, then it should provide and in-depth dissection of all aspects of it.

Anyway, here are my few tips on writing the perfect review of any film:

1. First, watch the movie.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people try to write a review without actually having seen the film.

2. Take notes while you're watching.

Jot down your thoughts and impressions as the movie unfolds. This will make it easier to write your review later on.

I would, however, suggest that you watch the movie as a entertainment package at first. Watch it again and takes notes by then.

3. Don't just focus on the positive.

Sure, you want to highlight the good points of the film, but you should also mention any flaws.

A good review is balanced and honest.

4. Be specific.

When you're writing your review, try to be as detailed as possible. This will help your readers understand what you liked (or didn't like) about the film.

5. Keep it spoiler free.

People hate to know the story of the movie or particularly the ending before they set to watch it. So keep that in your mind and don't tell the whole story to your readers.

Providing Information on Cast and Crew

If you're writing a review of a film, it's always helpful to provide some information about the cast. This can help readers decide whether or not they're interested in seeing the film.

You might want to include brief biographies of the main actors and actresses, highlighting any previous roles that might be of interest. You could also mention the director and any other major cast or crew members and their previous works that have impressed you.

If you have any strong opinions about the performances of the cast members, be sure to include those in your review. Did anyone give a particularly memorable performance? Did anyone stand out in a negative role?

Whatever you include, just make sure it's relevant and helpful to readers. Too much information can be overwhelming, so only include what you think will be most useful.

Mistakes to Avoid in Your Movie Review

There are many potential mistakes that could be made when writing a review of a film.

However, briefly, here are three of the most common and how to avoid them:

1. Don't give too much away

When writing a review, it is important to maintain a balance between giving enough information to pique the reader's interest without giving away too much and spoiling the film.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid revealing plot points that occur after the halfway point of the film, the intermission or interval in cinematic term.

2. Don't make it all about you

A review should be about the film, not about the reviewer.

It is important to maintain a subjective perspective, but the review should be focused on the film itself and not on the reviewer.

3. Don't rely on others' opinions

While it can be helpful to read other reviews of a film before writing your own, it is important to form your own opinion of the film.

Don't let others' opinions influence your analysis of the movie.

Sharing Your Own Perspective About the Film in Your Review is a Must

The best thing about your review of a film should be your perspective and honest opinion on the film.

Your opinion should be entirely yours and not influenced by anyone else.

You can ask your friends or family about their thoughts on the particular movie or read what social media or other reviewers are saying, but do not let their thoughts influence your take on the merits and demerits of the movie.

Here is an example on how you can share your perspective or relate to a movie so that you can engage with your readers way better than any professional critic:

I love watching films because they transport me into different worlds and help me to understand different perspectives. I also love discussing films with friends, family and strangers because it helps me to better understand my own perspective.

In this movie review, I want to share my personal perspective about the film, La La Land.

I grew up in Los Angeles, so La La Land was a special film for me. It captures the city in a way that few films have been able to do. The colors, the music, the energy of the city – it all felt very familiar to me.

But what I loved most about La La Land was its perspective on love and ambition. The two main characters, Mia and Sebastian, are both incredibly passionate about their dreams.

And yet, they also understand that sometimes you have to sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of your dreams.

I relate to this perspective because I often feel torn between my own ambitions and my need for companionship and love.

And So On!

Why Write a Film Review?

This is a tough one to answer.

If you are writing a review or critique on a cinema piece then you already have your reasons for doing so. But if you want to know why professional critics or just movie lovers, like me, like to write their thoughts on movie then there is a definite answer to that.

A film review is a way to analyze a movie and voice your opinion on it. By writing a review, you can share your thoughts on the film with other people who have seen it.

A review can also help you remember what you liked and didn’t like about a movie.

There are many reasons why people write film reviews. Some people do it for fun, others are professional critics and while some do it to share their opinion with the world.

Do not forget the world of entertainment is a ever growing business and movie reviewers are a significant part of that business community.

Also in schools where they teach cinema and things related to cinema, learning and teaching of how to dissect a movie plays an integral role.

Most importantly, some people do it to help others make informed decisions about whether or not to see a certain film.

No matter the reason, writing film reviews can be a fun and rewarding experience. Yeah, trust me on this.

One of the main reasons why people write film reviews is to share their opinion with others.

In today’s world, there are so many different films to choose from that it can be hard to know which ones are worth watching. By writing a review, you can help others make the decision of whether or not to see a certain film. You can also let others know what you thought of a film you’ve already seen.

Another reason why people write film reviews is for fun. If you love movies, then writing reviews can be a great way to share your passion with others.

At least that is what I do. If you want to read some of my movie reviews and cinema related content then head onto my Medium profile: https://medium.com/@javed_baloch