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.

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

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

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

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

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