How to Write a Critical Analysis of a Film

Many students hold the opinion that skills on how to write a critical analysis of a film are only important for those pursuing media studies and marketing. However, the skills can also be useful to those taking other courses. We have outlined some of the best guidelines and examples in this section to help you in knowing how to craft outstanding analysis of different kinds of films.

What is a Film Analysis Essay?

Whenever you are asked to write a critical analysis of a film, the paper basically requires you to write a film analysis essay. This is a type of essay that is written based on a film. Writing a film analysis essay is an assignment that students will often be given at school. Therefore, it is critical that you know how to write a critical analysis of a film. In this way, you will be able to boost your performance in coursework and overall grades.

In writing a critical analysis of a film, it must be noted that you are required to provide more than just a review. This is because, you have to give the readers adequate information that is well crafted with drama and other elements to bring the film to life in words.

The good thing about writing a film analysis is that you will be given the piece of work to be discussed in the essay. This is an advantage since you are accorded a ‘first hand’ experience of the subject or event that is to be analyzed.

It is quite easy to find out how to write a critical analysis of a film since you do not have to rely on your imagination of events to write. Your work will be to basically review the content of the film in words for people to read and relate to, just like watching the film.

Guidelines and steps on how to write a critical analysis of a film

Writing an analysis of a film is an assignment that may scare many who do not like writing essays. However, as you will find out from the tips that we have outlined herein, it is quite easy. In fact, we will also offer you step by step guide on how to write a critical analysis of a film.

The avenues to be pursued in writing a critical analysis of films may vary but the following are the best that can enable you to learn the task quickly and without any problems.

• Take time to watch the film

In all cases that you are given a film analysis assignment, it is always advisable that you start by watching the entire piece. As you do this, ensure that you take notes to remember some of the outstanding aspects that you may need to cover in the analysis. If you are unable to get the drift of the film in the first instance, you can watch it all over again making use of the pause and rewind buttons.

Bear in mind that you can only be able to write a good analysis of a film if you have watched it and understood what it is all about, including the characters.

• Engage the movie

It is almost impossible to understand a movie in a single watching. However, some can pull it out. In order to come up with an outstanding analysis film essay, you have to get the ‘story behind the story.’ It is advisable that you focus on a particular thematic concept of the film. With this, you can now start pursuing essay ideas like an analysis of the characters of the film, the movie’s relationship with historical events among others without compromising the facts of the storyline. In doing this, you should also be careful not to alter the sequence of the film since this may lead to a poorly written film analysis.

• Draft an outline

Based on the facts that you have obtained from the above steps, you can now draft an overview of how to present them in writing to create a critical analysis of a film. Most students often overlook this step but it is very important since you always have to arrange your facts in the order that they are to appear before putting them down.

• Introduce the film

In the introduction, tell the readers the film that is reviewed and also some of the main actors, director and even year of production. You should also give the name of the particular actor (s) in the film that your analysis will be based on. For instance, if you will be discussing the role of the background music in the film, you may need to cite the name of the composer or singer. However, the choice will be based on the aspect of the film that you want to cover in the analysis.

• Tell the reader more about the film

After introducing the film, you can now move straight into giving a precise overview of the storyline. This should be properly crafted in a way that links to the introduction and other parts of the analysis. This should be more of a synopsis of the story.

The overview of the story should be further elaborated to provide a critical analysis of the film. In doing this, you can give some twists and illustrations backed by quotes from the film to create drama.

Based on the aspect of the film that you want to focus your analysis on, it is important to draw some outstanding events or scenes in the film that can agitate the reader to want to watch it too.

A film analysis is not only to enlighten the reader on what the film is about but also to arouse action. If the analysis is well written, there is no doubt that many will go looking for the film to watch it.

• Write the conclusion

Writing often requires that you end every piece with a thud, something that can make the readers to think. Thus, you can end by pointing out to the reader what to expect from watching the film, a call to action or even a question. Besides, you can also give your verdict on the film in the conclusion.

In order to properly know how to write a critical analysis of a film, you should also be able to carry out research to familiarize yourself with the jargon and terms used in the industry and also how they are applied in writing. To make you work look professional, you will need to use the phrases once in a while. However, you must be careful to only use a term that you know its meaning.

Examples that will help you know how to write a critical analysis of a film

From the examples we have given below, you will be able to clearly see how to write a critical analysis of a film.

Example 1

The essay; Feminine Figure is an example of a film analysis essay that critically analyzes the film, ‘The Black Swan.’

This film analysis shows how the various aspects discussed above are applied in writing. For instance, the introduction reads, ‘’The Black Swan is a film produced in 2010 and directed by Darren Daronofsky.’’

The analysis is also short and illustrates well the story line and other captivating events of the film.

The conclusion of the analysis is also put in a way that leaves an impact on the readers. It ends, ‘’…Swan undergoes a great deal of mental pressure that results into death.’’

Example 2

‘’But Cool starts with visions of doom. We hear children’s voices describing simple but very clear drawings of global warming- drawings of wildfires, droughts, rising sea levels, mass tress and animal deaths, and even the possibility of the human kind’s extinction. This is followed by a montage of photos and videos, giving a glimpse of the fiercely divided reactions to the first book by Lomborg; The Skeptical Environmentalist (hereafter TSE). The prologue comes into conclusion with a word of caution from Lomborg against fear mongering; ‘’If we only listen to worst case scenarios, which is unlikely to make for good public priorities… yaleclimateconnections.org.

Example 3

Below is yet another critical analysis of the film’ ‘’Into the Woods.’’

The film was beautiful with an all-star cast featuring Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine and Tracey Ullman. It is a film adaptation of the 1987 Broadway Musical, ‘’Into the Woods.’’ I will not lie; I really loved it when Chris Pine did his musical waterfall. I reminded me of something from my favorite musicals; Pirates of Penzance– taylormarshall.com

In case you may still need help on how to write a critical analysis of a film, get in touch with us today for assistance. You can also visit our homepage for more information about our custom writing services. Alternatively you can continue reading more essay writing guidelines and samples on our blog.

 

References

http://www.bestessayservices.com/blog/

http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2011/05/a-critical-review-of-bjorn-lomborgs-cool-it/

http://taylormarshall.com/2014/12/into-the-woods-movie-a-dads-critical-review.html

http://classroom.synonym.com/write-film-analysis-essay-4125.html