This document provides an overview of key concepts in movie criticism and film theory, including definitions and explanations of elements like character, protagonist, antagonist, setting, plot, conflict, theme, and point of view. It discusses how these elements can be analyzed to better understand a film from a critical perspective.

1. Movie Criticism and Film Theory
Mrs. Kellie-Ann Cripe

2. Character
● Can be revealed
through their actions,
speech and
appearance.
● Can be discovered by
comments of other
characters and
interaction with other
characters.
● Can be flat (one-
sided) or round (fully
developed

3. Protagonist
● Is the main character in a work of
literature or movie.
● Can sometimes be the narrator

4. Antagonist
● The character in a story who is in
conflict with the main character.
● Can be another
character, nature, fate,
society or even the
protaganist

5. Character Foil
● Traits are in direct contrast to
protagonist
● Highlights traits of
protagonist by
opposition, can be
minor or major
character.

6. Stereotype
● Demonstrates common traits of a
group rather than being individual
● Sometimes derogatory in nature

7. Setting
● The time and the place of the story.
● A story can be set in a realistic or imaginary
place and can occur in the past, present,or
future.
● Setting affects
the characters
and storyline
in unique
ways

8. Setting Types
● Integral Setting is
essential to the plot
and influences
characters.
● Backdrop
Setting relatively
unimportant to the
plot and characters
just a background

9. Mood
● A feeling or emotion that a story stirs
in the viewer.

10. Point Of View
● The vantage point in
which the story is told.
● First Person- ‘I’
● Third Person- ‘He,
she it”
● Omniscient -knows
everything
● Objective - presents
without comment or
emotion

11. Foreshadowing
● An author’s way
of hinting to the
reader of what is
to come in the
story.

12. Theme
● The main idea that the film wishes to
share with the audience
● Rarely stated directly, inferred by the
audience
● Universal in nature applying to society,
human nature
● Can often be applied to individuals
watching the film as they relate to it.

13. Sample Themes
● Acceptance ● Good Versus Evil
● Betrayal ● Justice
● Coming of Age ● Love
● Destiny ● Perserverance
● Duty ● Power
● Faith ● Redemption
● Freedom ● Revenge
● Friendship ● Transformation

14. Conflict
● A struggle between opposing forces;
conflicts can be external or internal.

15. External Conflict
● Struggle with outside forces
● Person-vs-fate
● Person-vs-person
● Person-vs-nature
● Person-vs-society
● Person-vs-technology

16. Internal Conflict
● Takes place in the
character’s mind.
● Character often
pulled by two
courses of action or
by conflicting
emotions

17. Plot
● The series of
events in sequential
order.
● What happens 1st,
2nd, 3rd, and so on.
● The plot centers on
at least one major
problem called a
conflict.

18. Timing of Plot
● Chronological - Events are told in the
order of occurance.
● Flashback/Flashforward - Events
are told out of order either jumping
ahead or back at various points in the
story.
● Time Lapse - Story skips a time
period that seems unusual compared
to rest of plot

19. Five Main Parts of the Plot
Climax
● Not all stories fit
this pattern.
● The exposition may Falling
Rising
appear in the Action Action
middle of the story
instead of the
beginning.
● A story can end Resolution
Exposition
with a climax,
leaving no falling
action.

20. Exposition
● The opening film often
provides background
information that the
audience needs to
know.
● It introduces the
characters, describes
the setting, and may
recap important events
before the action of the
story.

21. Rising Action
● The chain of events
become more
complex. The
Rising
actions and feelings
Action
of the characters
intensify as their
problems become
more complicated.

22. Climax
● The highest point of
interest
● Where most action
takes place in the
store
● Involves an
important event,
decision, or
discovery that
affects the final
outcome.

23. Falling Action
● Following the
Falling climax, the intensity
action
of the story may
subside.
● The falling action
describes the
results of the major
events as the action
winds down.

24. Resolution
● The final part of the story.
● It tells how the story ends. All the loose ends
are tied up.
● May also set the stage for future stories or
sequels.

25. Film Elements
● Film Score
● Lighting
● Costumes
● Sound Effects
● Special Effects
● Filming
● Editing

26. Additional Questions
● How does the movie portray Men? Women? Children?
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● Product Placements/Advertising?
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● What is the protagonist main strength and flaw?
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● What character do you most relate to? Admire? Despise?
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● Is there a portrayal of faith or religion? Is it positive, negative, neutral?
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● How do the values and themes compare to your own values and beliefs?
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