FILM REVIEW

It`s movie time

REVIEWS
A review is a special type of article written for publication in
a magazine, newspaper, etc giving a brief description and
evaluation of the film, book, play, TV/ radio programme,
restaurant,hotel,concert, website etc.

It may be formal or semi-formal in style, depending on its

intended readership, and is usually written using present
tenses.
MOVIES

A filA film review is written to help you

dA film review is written to help you
decide whether you would like to see a
particular film.

So they should contain information on

the story, characters, actors, special
 Match the review extracts with the titles:
1. This horror will make you shiver with fear.
2. The most entertaining comedy.
3. A feel-good romantic comedy.
4. A thriller pulsing with suspense.
5. A moving love story.
6. A spine-tingling thriller.
7. Amazing special effects.
8. Extremely dynamic action full of races, shooting and battles.
9. It is not simply a sensational entertainment. It's a technical breakthrough.
10. An action-packed film.
11. It is not a terrible movie, but rather a defiantly, extravagantly average one.
12. Surprisingly cute, I've seen this type of movie before, but it was very charming and sweet.
13. Hilarious irreverent slapstick comedy satire.
14. It is the best classic slasher film,one of the best horror movies ever made.
LAYOUT
● INTRODUCTION: catchy personal comments
○ details about the film (title,director,theme,genre,cast..)

Phrases you can use in the introduction:

* This well-directed/ fascinating/ thought-provoking film is…

* The film is set in….. / tells the story of…../ is based on…..
* The film starts …../ is directed by…../ is the sequel to…..
Comparing and contrasting
*… is even better than *… is (not) nearly as good as … *… is twice as good as …
*… is the best I have ever seen / read / been to. in comparison with …
*One of the strongest / weakest things about …
*In contrast, … / On the other hand, …
 Main Body
I. par. - objective information

● main points of the plot

II. par.- subjective opinion

● evaluate features,acting,script,soundtrack,etc
● you can also add what you learnt, found out
Describing a film / TV programme
* … is set in …
* The main character is …
* It tells the story of …
* The plot / dialogue / acting / characterisation is …
Giving an opinion
* The only criticism I would make is that …
* What I really loved about … is …
*To me, … seemed …
* … was … from start to finish.
+ exceptional / good value / gripping / lively / memorable / perfect / realistic / stunning /
superb / well-written / -acted / etc.
— disappointing / dreadful / dull / inadequate / poor / predictable / sub-standard /
unconvincing / unimaginative / uninteresting
 CONCLUSION
● overall assessment of the work and/or a recommendation, usually with justification
● you may also be asked to give reasons why someone should see the film/ play or read
the book, how it has influenced you, etc

Making a recommendation
*I would highly / strongly recommend …
* I certainly wouldn’t recommend …
* I strongly advise you (not) to …
* Everyone should see … immediately!
* … is not to be missed!
* You should give … a miss!
* Don’t bother / seeing / going …
* It is a classic of its kind/ It is sure to be a hit
PEARL HARBOUR
“Pearl Harbor” is one of the most historical films I have seen. It combines a historical event with a love

story, and stars Ben Affleck as Rafe McCawley, Josh Hartnett as Danny Walter and Kate Beckinsale in the

role of Evelyn Johnson.

The film is set in the past, when The United States enter a war due to the Japanese attack to Pearl Harbor. Is

included a romantic story between the three main characters. Danny and Rafe had been since they were

children, both of them were North American pilots. Rafe started a beautiful love relationship with Evelyn

(a lovely nurse). But friendship between Rafe and Danny ended when Danny and Evelyn fell in love while

they thought wrongly that Rafe was dead. The cast is very strong and the film features a surprisingly

competent performance from Ben Affleck.

I would recommend the film to anyone who likes love stories. If you ignore the complexities of the plot and

just enjoy the romance scenes, you will not feel disappointed!
BIG FISH
“Big Fish” is a very emotional film about the relationship of a father and his son. It
combines comedy, fantasy and emotions in a typical background created by Tim
Burton. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Edward Bloom, who is the main character.
The film is set when Edward Bloom is old and sick, and he is going to die. He has not
talk with his son for many years. His son hates his father´s tales about his live,
because he thinks that he lies, because they are so fantastic. So during the film you go
back to the past, living the incredible Edward´s experiences of his live, and you return
to the present to feel how the relationship between the father and the son evolves. The
cast is not very well known, but Ewan McGregor plays a very good performance.
There are not stunning special effects or frenetic action, but the script is amazing and
also the end will make you cry.
I would recommend the film to anyone who likes Burton´s films and who wants to feel
his kind side , and also who likes fantastic tales.
HARRY POTTER AND THE SECRET CHAMBER
“Harry Potter and the secret chamber” is the ………………..film of the saga that has
been written by J.K.Rowling. It is one of the most ……………...fiction films that I
have ever seen. It has lots of special effects and stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry
Potter and Emma Watson in the ……...of Hermione.
The film is ……..a parallel world where many magicians live. Harry Potter is the
main character who tries to save people from Voldemort, the……….of the film.
The plot, which focuses on a strange school, is not quite……… but it is a little bit
strange because all the people have special powers and many secrets that may
surprise you. The cast is not bad but in my opinion Emma Watson gives the best
…………………….
As for the ………...elements, the special effects are amazing because people can fly
and play football in the sky sitting on a broom.
I would ………………...the film especially to people who like …………….films. If you
like reading you can continue to enjoy this story before it appears in the cinema.
THE IMPOSSIBLE
Known as the ………………...of this winter “The impossible”, is based on ………….events. It is a
film directed by Juan Antonio Bayona´s Spanish director, but with an international ……...
and Naomi Watts as the main actress.
Naomi plays a Spanish woman that goes to Thailand to spend 2004 winter holidays with her
family. Ewan Mc Gregor appears as ………..role as her husband. One day all of them, the
couple and their three sons, are at the pool of the hotel when they hear a terrible noise. An
incredible big wave, the tsunami, appears. The special effects are………………., whereas the
story is very………….... Some seconds later all around Naomi disappeared. She is so injured
and alone. She has to recover from her injuries and try to find her family.
It is quite strange how the story is told. A lot of details from the experience of the mother
and the elder son and very few details about the events the dad and the other two sons have
lived. It is very ……………….when all the brothers meet together after the disaster.
You will cry a lot watching this film, but it has a fascinating plot with good actors and
actresses. You should……. it.
TED
‘Ted’ is one of the most entertaining comedy films I have seen. It …………..jokes
with action, and stars Mark Wahlberg as John, Mila Kunis as Lori and the
………..of the film, Seth MacFarlane in the role of Ted.
The film is set in Boston, where John, a child without friends, asks for Christmas
that a teddy (Ted) may have life and can be his best friend. John grows and the
film focuses on the relation between John, his girlfriend Lori, and his best friend
Ted, who is a bad influence for John according to Lori. The movie ………...a
surprisingly competent performance from Ted, making you laugh constantly.
As for the visual elements, there are not any special effects in general, and
the………... is not stunning. You could imagine the next scene sometimes.
I would recommend the film to anyone who wants to have a great time. If you do
not wish a different or complicated plot, you will not feel disappointed.
Match with the definitions
● laughable ● capturing the attention
making people think seriously about it
● enthralling ●
● evoking interest, attention, or admiration
● appalling ● exceptionally good,fantastic
● stunning ● ridiculous
● thought-provoking ● unpleasant,shocking,terrible,disgusting
extremely impressive or attractive
● outstanding ●

● riveting
Synonym-hunt natural, gripping, emotional, hilarious,
believable, staggering, uninspiring,
● REALISTIC genuine, fearful, chucklesome,
● ABSORBING abominable , dazzling
● TERRIBLE
● INCREDIBLE fascinating, tedious, impressive
● BORING dreadful, breathtaking, heart-warming, dull,
● FUNNY spellbinding
● MOVING
witty, striking, convincing , engrossing

marvellous, banal,
Adverbs
highly/ perfectly
bitterly
profoundly
awfully
hugely

deeply heavily

amazingly utterly
absolutely

completely