How to Write a Movie Review

If you learn how to write a movie review, you can enhance your appreciation of films, as well as help people from wasting money on a lousy movie. You might also get the chance to have your reviews published and get paid. Here are some steps to writing a movie review.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Movie ticket
• Computer
• Paper

Instructions

1. See the movie. Even if you are pretty sure it will be bad. You don't want to just see movies that you know you are going to like.

2. Take notes during the film. Write down the names of the stars, director and screenwriter. Note the running time of the film and the rating.

3. Take time to soak in the film. Think about it for a few hours before you begin writing. Let your appreciation or distaste wear off a bit so you don't write too emotionally.

4. Identify your audience. It is the general public reading a newspaper review, or is it a group of movie buffs that want to dissect every inch of a film.

5. Go home and write. Start with the introduction. Most movie review readers like to be entertained by the review, so think up a good line to hook the reader or a theme for your review.

6. Start writing the review. Include the basic plot of the movie and cover the major events but do not give away surprise plot twists or the ending. Movie reviews are typically 250 to 500 words.

7. Discuss relevant parts of the movie. Include your opinion of the direction, script, actors and photography.

8. Let your review sit for a few hours, then look at it with fresh eyes and edit it.

Tips & Warnings

• Unlike newspaper articles, it is okay to give your opinion in the movie review. That's what the reader is looking for. If they agree with you on one movie, they will likely continue reading you and take your advice on future films.

• Rate the movie using an easily understandable system. You don't want to just give it four stars. The reader won't know if that is four out of five or four out of ten.

• Double check dates, credits and names of films.

• Be prepared for negative feedback. Everyone has different tastes in film, so be prepared.

• Don't talk about the movie theater itself, or the concessions. Just the film.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish