Writing A Review of A Film

Writing A Review of A Film

    Written by Ari Julianto


 




I. Definition
Based on American Heritage Dictionary (6162) the word review is defined as follows:
re·view v. re·viewed, re·view·ing, re·views.
— v. tr. 1. To look over, study, or examine again. 2. To consider retrospectively; look back on. 3. To examine with an eye to criticism or correction: reviewed the research findings. 4. To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example). 5. Law. To reexamine (an action or a determination) judicially, especially in a higher court, in order to correct possible errors. 6. To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.
— v. intr. 1. To go over or restudy material: reviewing for a final exam. 2. To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.
— n. Abbr. rev. 1. A reexamination or reconsideration. 2. A retrospective view or survey. 3. a. A restudying of subject matter. b. An exercise for use in restudying material. 4. An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation. 5. a. A report or an essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance. b. A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art. 6. a. A formal military inspection. b. A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or an occasion. 7. Law. A judicial reexamination, especially by a higher court, of an action or a determination. 8. A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue. [Probably from Middle English, inspection of military forces, from Old French revue, review, from feminine past participle of reveeir, to see again, from Latin revidKre :
re-, re- + vidKre,

Meanwhile Leo et al (2007: 137) states that a review is a critical assessment in a newspaper, a magazine, or on the internet. the review may be a review of a book, a play, or a film. or something else.

II. The Purpose
The purpose of writing a review is to let the reader know whether it is worthwhile to read a certain book, to view a particular film, or to attend the performance of a play.

III.  The Elements To Be Considered
1. Bibliographic Elements
This includes the title of the film, the screen writer, the producer, the director, the film company, the date of the release and the achievement in awards,

2. Plot
Ade (2008: 40) defines plot as the central plan or an outline of events in a play/film. The plot refers to the story that a play/film tells. Normally, the events are arranged sequentially. This does not happen all the time. Some of them distort the sequence of events.
How is the plot constructed?
Is there a pattern of repetition?
Is there a climax?

3.Setting
This includes the location, the sets, the props, and the costumes. Setting generally refers to the location of a literary work. The setting is a reference to the placement of a work in both time and place. The locale or environment in which a story is set will determine a lot about it. The setting is often related to the focus or concern of the play/film.

4. Theme
Each play/film makes a statement about the social world. This may emerge from an exploration of the entire story. The theme is the central message of a play/film. It is however possible to have sub-themes along with major dramatists who seek to make statements that have universal validity in their works. Generally, plays/films that treat common human problems make statements that have timeless relevance and consequently have more appeal as they speak to people of all ages and at all places.

5. Type
Finding out the type of the film. Is it action, adventure, comedy, drama, horror, science fiction, tragedy, religious, historical, documentary, thriller, western, war, martial arts, or musical?

6. Acting
Point out the main and supporting actors and actresses' performance in relation to the story.
Do they act appropriately according to the plot?

7.  Soundtrack
This includes the sound effects, noise and music.
Is the soundtrack adequate?
Are there any special sound effect used?

8. Lighting
Is the lighting artificial or natural?
How about the direction and the intensity of the lighting?

9. Screen Writer
The dialogues should be moved along the story and also sound realsitic,

10. Cinematography
This related to camera angle, camera movement, and camera distance (far shot, medium shot or close shot),

11. Rating
The most common ratings used are: starts, thumbs up and down, and letter grades.

  
IV. Tips
1. Point out the strength and the weakness,
2. View the film several times,
3. Try to read many professional reviewers in writing A film Review,
4. Focus on the elements to be analyzed and take down the notes,
5. Find out whether the elements in the film support each other,
6. Write a brief of the story clearly   


Reference
Ade, Olaofe Isaac and Oyeniyi Okunoye.2008. An Introduction to Literature and Literary Criticism. Abuja: National Open University of Nigeria.

Editorial Team. 1992. The American Heritage Dictionary of The English Language. Third Edition. Boston: Houghton Miffin.

Leo, Sutanto et al. 2007. English for Academic Purpose: Essay Writing. Yogjakarta: Penerbit Andi Offset.