A film review provides a brief description and evaluation of a movie to give viewers an opinion on whether they should watch it. A successful review includes an introduction summarizing background details, a main body with two paragraphs describing the plot without revealing the ending and general comments, and a conclusion with an overall assessment and recommendation. Reviews are typically found in newspapers and magazines and use present tense and descriptive adjectives.

1. 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.

2.  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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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