WRITING A REVIEW OF A FILM

WRITING A REVIEW (FILM)

A) STRUCTURE

v Providing background information.
v Introducing a brief account of the plot.
v Commenting critically.
v Providing a recommendation.
v Comparing and contrasting (strengths or weaknesses).

B) USEFUL WORDS (COLLOCATIONS) AND EXPRESSIONS

Ø FILM:
.hugely entertaining / thoroughly enjoyable /
. hilarious / funny / engaging
.impressively made
. offbeat (unconventional)/ unusual / intriguing
. extremely strange
. refreshingly different
.the dreamlike quality of the _____
.sophisticated
.the _____ takes an (awful) turn
.based on the best-selling novel by (…)


Ø SCENE:
.funny
. controversy-generating
.much-vaunted (=excessively praised)
. there are at least three great ______s


Ø CLIMAX:
.beautiful
.strong
.sweet


Ø STORY:
.strained
.clever
.unbelievable


Ø CHARACTER:
.commanding
.fascinating
.non-mainstream (= unconventional)

Ø PERFORMANCE:
.exquisite
.strong
.convincing
.film-saving
.(uniformly) outstanding
.gives a (mature) ________
.a terrific central_________ from (NK)
.(Costner´s) best ever!


Ø CAST:
.star-studded
.amazing


Ø ACTOR:
.superb
.truly outstanding
.his /her easygoing star power is intact


COMMENTING CRITICALLY / PROVIDING A RECOMMENDATION

ü It could be one of the biggest movies of the year.
ü The biggest, boldest and most captivating film I can ever recall seeing.
ü It´s impossible not to like (…)
ü A must-see. / Highly recommended.
ü Has yet to be surpassed.
ü A well-crafted period piece.
ü (Practically) perfect in its execution.
ü The pace is perfect. / The film works splendidly.
ü There´s plenty to enjoy here.
ü It´s big-screen entertainment.
ü Many charming elements, but they don´t quite add up to a fulfilling whole.
ü It doesn´t add anything to the film.
ü A complete flop =failure)