WRITING FILM ANALYSIS- Elements for Movie Reviews

A Movie Review

Film analysis is the process by which a film is analyzed in terms of mise-en scène, cinematography, sound, and editing. Film analysis is closely connected to film theory. Preparing to Write the Review While film reviews tend to be fairly short (approximately 600 to 1200 words), they require a lot of preparation before you begin writing a film review

Writing a film review often requires multiple viewings of the film. Plan to watch the film two or even three times.  

1. During the first viewing, surrender yourself to the cinematic experience. look for  themes or patterns, and establish what the film is primarily about. Take note of the main characters, as well as the setting.  

2. During your second viewing, try distancing yourself from the plot and instead focus on interesting elements of the film that you can highlight in the review.

You may separate these elements into two broad categories:  

1.      formal techniques such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene, lighting, sound, genre, or narratology, and  

2.       thematic content that resonates with issues such as history, race, gender, sexuality, class, or the environment 

3.After watching the film a second time, evaluate the film’s form and content, then attempt to create a central idea for your review that brings together the film’s formal and thematic elements.  

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Writing the Film Review have certain common elements that most film reviews include.  

1.    The introductory part of a film analysis essay contains some fundamental information about the movie, like the film title, release date, and director’s name. In other words, the reader should get familiar with some background information about the film.- Also, you should point out the central theme or ideas in the movie, explaining the reason why it was made.. It would be good to research the filmmaker because it can reveal significant insights related to the movie which you can use in your analysis. Also, you should point out the central theme or ideas in the movie, explaining the reason why it was made. Don’t hesitate to say what do you think; it’s quite desirable to express your point of view. The last thing your introduction should include is your thesis statement and basically, explain what will be your focus.

 2.Summary : After presenting the main facts about the film, then go deeper into analysis and summaries it. The best way to make sure you’ve covered everything in your summary is to answer great five Ws – who, what, when, where, why, and how, as well. Likewise, you can discuss anything related to your opinion, structure or style. After presenting the main facts about the film, then go deeper into analysis and summarise it. The best way to make sure you’ve covered everything in your summary is to answer great five Ws – who, what, when, where, why, and how, as well. Likewise, you can discuss anything related to your opinion, structure or style.

Accuracy of depiction /Use of sources in the film/Creative elements (quality of script, visual design, performance, lighting, and makeup, costume, set design, symbolism)

Prior to viewing the film, you may want to get a sense of the bodies of work by the director, writer, or individual actor. For instance, you may watch other films by the same director or writer in order to get a sense of each individual style. This will enable you to contextualize the film and determine whether it works as a continuation and/or disruption within the broad trends of the director’s or writer’s work. 

Scenario: A good script has a logical sequence of events, completion of scenes, characters development, and dialogs. So, these are the elements you should analyze when it comes to the scenario. After watching the film, try to reproduce the plot mentally and see if you understood the logic of events and the motives of the actors. If it’s difficult to explain or find reasons for some scene, then it isn’t such a great scenario.

 Plot Summary: Remember that many readers of film reviews have not yet seen the film. While you  want to provide some plot summary, keep this brief and avoid specific details that would spoil the  viewing for others.

Content : A film’s content includes its plot (what it’s about), characters, and setting. You’ll need to determine the main plot points of the film and how the film’s story works overall. Are there parts that don’t make sense? Are certain characters more important than others? What is the relationship between the movie’s plot and its setting? A discussion of a film’s content provides good context for an analysis of its form.

Directing: The director is responsible for every aspect of the movie process, such as scenario execution, selection of the plans, and even tasks for actors. In this part of the analysis, you can focus on the fact how the director realized the script or compare this film to his other films. It will help you understand better his way of directing and come up to some conclusions relevant to your thesis and analysis.

Acting : Casting is another significant element to take into consideration in your film analysis essay. Actors bring the script and director’s idea into reality. Therefore, after watching the movie, think if the actors are realistic and if they portray the role of their character effectively? More importantly, consider how their acting corresponds to the main idea of the film and your thesis statement.

Musical elements: This represents an important element of every movie. It sets the mood and enhances some actions or sceneries of the film. That’s why you should try to evaluate how music reflects the mood of the film or the impact it has on what is happening on the screen. Is it supportive or distracting?

Visual elements: Visual elements, like special effects, costumes, and make-up, also have a considerable role in the overall movie impact. They need to reflect the atmosphere of the film. It is especially important for historical movies because visual elements need to evoke a specific era. Therefore, pay attention to costumes and special effects and analyse their impact on the film.

 Form: Form refers to all of the aesthetic and/or formal elements that make a story into a movie. You can break  down form into several categories: 

Mise-En-Scène : 

The mise-en-scène definition is really about how everything within a frame of film is arranged. From the set and prop design to the lighting and even to how the actors are blocked throughout a scene. A good way to think about it is as everything in front of the camera.

How do props and costumes convey characters and themes? Are particular colors dominant (or absent)? Is the setting significant? How does the lighting help convey the setting and the action? How is character blocking and placement used?  

Cinematography: This element comprises all aspects of the movie that derive from the way a  camera moves and works. You’ll need to pay attention to elements like camera angles, distances  between the camera and the subject, and types of shots (i.e. close-up, aerial, etc.).

Lighting: Films use lighting in various ways to communicate certain effects. For instance, noir films  tend to utilize chiaroscuro lighting (deep contrasts between light and dark) to express a sense of  secrecy or foreboding.  Where is the camera placed in relation to the action?  

Costumes, Props, and Sets: 

A prop is any inanimate object that an actor interacts with in a film. There is a wide range of props that vary on how they are used and what they are used for. Props are bought, designed, and created by the property department (also called props department) which is led by the prop master. Unlike set dressing, props are touched and handled by actors so they must fit the film’s aesthetic and design while also being functional. Are the costumes and props believable in relation to the film’s content and setting? 

Editing: When you are preparing to write a movie review, pay close attention to elements like  the length of shots, transitions between scenes, or any other items that were finalized after filming. 

What kinds of transitions are there between shots? Are these always the same? Do they change? Does the editing have a particular rhythm, and is it consistent? 

Sound:  The way a film uses sound can vary considerably. Most movies have a soundtrack, sometimes with music composed specifically for the film. Some films play around with ambient sounds or use silence at key points to signify important moments. 

Description - While the plot summary will give the reader a general sense of what the film is about, also include a more detailed description of your particular cinematic experience watching the film. This  may include your personal impression of what the film looks, feels, and sounds like. In other words, what stands out in your mind when you think about this particular film?  

Analysis - In order to explain your impression of the film, consider how well the film utilizes formal techniques and thematic content. How do the film’s formal techniques (such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scène, lighting, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, genre, or narrative) affect the way the film looks, feels, and sounds to you? How does the thematic content (such as history, race, gender, sexuality, class, or the environment) affect your experience and interpretation? Also, do the formal  techniques work to forward the thematic content?

Your opinion: Also, films are complex artwork that include many creative elements which are all connected and have their reason of existence.

Conclusion: The closing of your film review should remind the reader of your general thoughts and impressions of the film. You may also implicitly or explicitly state whether or not you recommend the film.