MOVIE REVIEW ASSIGNMENT SHEET

HS 11

The movie review should not merely provide a summary of the plot, but it should go with an evaluation and reaction.

A. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
1. Hook
2. Introduction to the movie + background information (title, director, publication information – year released, length of movie, genre – comedy,
drama, animated, etc.)
3. Summary of the main idea/theme of the movie in one or two sentences.
4. Thesis statement (your viewpoint about the movie)
Your thesis may answer one of the following questions:
 Does the movie portray a current issue? Does the content relate to the “real world”?
 Does the movie seem to convey a message? Does it try to evoke a specific reaction or emotion from the audience? Discuss if the movie
successfully achieves the purpose.
 Does the film connect with your personal life? Does it reflect on your personal stories and feelings?

B. BODY PARAGRAPHS
1. Explanation:
Give a brief summary of the plot that identifies the main characters, setting and central conflict — remember to not give away too much. When
you write the name of the character for the first time, write the actor’s name in parenthesis.
E.g. Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is a working-family girl who sails thousand miles away to New York, looking for a better life.

2. Evaluation
Write about your opinions and be sure to explain and support them with examples. Think of some of these questions:
 How does the movie (director) achieve the purpose?
 Is the acting/writing/dialogue/soundtrack/music effective, powerful, difficult, beautiful?
 What are the success and failure or strengths and weaknesses of the movie?
 What is your overall reaction to the movie? Did you think it is entertaining, inspiring, boring? Why?
C. CONCLUSION
Sum up your thoughts to briefly conclude the review. Write your final impression of the movie and what you think the reader should
know. You may want to rate the movie from 1-5. Finally, write whether you would recommend the movie or not and explain why.

Movie Review Rubric

Criteria Exemplary (5pts)
Content  Introductory paragraph clearly
states subject of essay and captures
reader's attention. Thesis statement
is effectively crafted.
 Summary consists of a discussion of
major themes, ideas, characters,
and/or plot.
 Critique consists of thoughts,
responses, and reaction to the
movie (e.g., reacting to the
message/theme, the movie’s aims
or intent, acting, camera angle,
music and other elements, and
overall success or failure of the
movie).
Good (3-4 pts)
Introductory paragraph states
subject of essay but is not
particularly engaging.
 Summary consists of a discussion  Summary consists of a discussion
of major themes, ideas, characters
and/or plot.
 Critique consists of thoughts,
responses, and reaction to the
movie, discussing only two aspects
such as message/theme and
another element of the movie.
There is not a thorough review of
various aspects.
Needs Improvement (2 pts)
Introductory paragraph attempts to No attempt is made to state the subject
state subject of essay but does not
contain a clear thesis.
of major themes, ideas, characters
and/or plot.
 Critique consists of thoughts,
responses, and reaction to the
movie, discussing only one aspect
such as message/theme, and
consists of basic opinions e.g., “I
liked it”
Unsatisfactory (1 pt)
of the essay in an introductory
paragraph.
 Summary is mostly an outline of the
movie and does not discuss
message/theme or major idea of the
work.
 No evidence of critique provided.

Organization  Structure of the text flows and is
easily read because of smooth
transitions from one to another
paragraph.
 The sequence of topics is in logical
order.
 There is a clear-cut introduction,
body and conclusion.
Language Use  Uses extensive precise and
 Structure of the text flows and is
easily read, but 1 or 2 transitions
may be faulty or missing.
 There is some illogical order in
sequence of topics.
 There is a clear-cut introduction,
body and conclusion.
Uses precise and creative verbs,
 Structure of the text does not
follow a logical order.
 There ideas may jump around and
not cohesive.
 There is no clear-cut introduction,
body and conclusion.
 Uses limited word choice.
 Structure of the text does not follow a
logical order.
 There are no transitional phrases to
make it easier to read.
 The review is simply copying from
the other online reviews.
 Uses dull, highly repetitive word
 creative verbs, adverbs, nouns,
and adjectives.
 Sentences have natural flow and
rhythm.
Sentence length, structure, and
complexity is varied.
Writing  Spelling, capitalisation,
Conventions punctuation, paragraphing, and
grammar are effective, and make
the text easy to read and
understand.
Contains few if any errors in
conventions.
adverbs, nouns, and adjectives.
Sentences flow.
 Sentence structures are correct
and varied.
Spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, paragraphing, and
grammar are mostly correct.
 Errors don’t make writing difficult
to read and don’t interfere with
the meaning.
 Has fragmented, run-on, or
confusing sentences.
 Sentence structures are limited
in variety.
Spelling, capitalisation,
punctuation, paragraphing, and
grammar create problems that
slow the reader or cause
confusion.
 Contains frequent convention
errors that are noticeable
choice.
 Sentences are incomplete, unclear,
and/or lacking in variety.
 Spelling, capitalization, punctuation,
paragraphing, and grammar errors
are so numerous that they make
writing difficult to follow.