What is a film review?

Have you ever wanted to be a film critic?
Would you like to review a film for FÍS and have the chance of winning a prize?


If so why not write a film review on the most recent film you have gone to see in the cinema. FÍS would only be to glad to print your review on the web for other people to read and if the viewers like what they have read you could win a prize.


This month we would love to get reviews about the new Disney Film "The Pacifier" (See below for more information).


A person who writes a film review is called a film critic.



Firstly what is a Film Critic?


Film critics are usualy hired by newspapers and magazines to review new films that are relaesed into the cinema. Normally a film critic only sees any given film once and has a day or two to write the review. A film critic will tell the reader all about the film and will also give the film a star rating.
This star rating normally ranges from 1 -5 ,

  1. If they think the film was very poor.
  2. If they thought the film was average.
  3. If the thought the film was good.
  4. If the though the film was very good.
  5. If they thought the film was excellent.


The film review will also include information about the genre (see film activity sheet "Genres", to learn more about Genre), plot, actors and settings. Normally a film review is a few paragrpahs long. A film review is kind of like a short story about your perosnal opinion of the film.


Before you write your review you should understand that there are some very important elements needed for making a film.


What do you think they are?


Some of the below may help.



Elements of a film?


  1. Plot: This is the story.
  2. Actors: Your story will have characters, and actors will play these.
  3. Setting: This is where your story is set.
  4. Costumes: The characters will have to look as believable as possible, so you will need suitable costumes. The costumes will tell us something about the characters: for example, costumes in Spy Kids would be very different from costumes in Oliver Twist.
  5. Dialogue: The actors will have to know what to say to each other. This is called the dialogue. Sometimes actors need dialogue coaches to teach them to speak in a certain accent.
  6. Music and sound effects: To create atmosphere, music and sound effects must be added. Films often have special theme songs, such as “Can You Feel the Love Tonight? in The Lion King. This was composed by Elton John.




This month we would like to receive reviews on the new Disney Film "The Pacifier", we have included a synopsis of the film.




A synopsis is normally a short paragraph summarizing the plot of the film and is usually printed on the back of the DVD box to tell people what the film is about.


The Pacifier

Vin Diesel redefines what it means to be an action hero in the heartwarming family action-comedy THE PACIFIER. Diesel stars as Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe who, as an elite member of the world’s fiercest and most highly trained force thought he was prepared to take on any duty no matter how perilous or impossible . . . until he tried baby-sitting. Assigned to protect the five out-of-control children of an assassinated scientist working on vital government secrets, Shane is suddenly faced with juggling two outrageously incompatible jobs: fighting the bad guys while keeping house. Replacing his usual arsenal of wetsuits and weapons with diapers and juice boxes, Shane not only must battle a deceptive enemy but wrangle teen rebel Zoe (BRITTANY SNOW), sullen 14 year-old Seth (MAX THIERIOT), 8 year-old Ninja-wanna-be Lulu (MORGAN YORK), as well as 3 year-old Peter and baby Tyler – not to mention their off-beat Romanian Nanny (CAROL KANE). But while drop zones, demolitions and destroying enemy targets come naturally to Shane, he has no idea what tough really is until he pits his courage against diapering, den-mothering and driver’s education. He’s truly a SEAL out of water, and now it’s up to this one-time lone warrior to take on the most important mission of his life: keeping a family together.


Starring Vin Diesel, Lauren Graham, Faith Ford, Brittany Snow, Max Thieriot, Morgan York, with Carol Kane and Brad Garrett
Directed by Adam Shankman


THE PACIFIER is released in Ireland JULY 22 2005
Cert: PG
Running Time: 95 MINS
http://www.disney.go.com/disneypictures/pacifier/



Are there any words in the "The Pacifier" synopsis that you don’t understand? If you would like to find you what they mean why not search for their meaning on this online dictionary (http://www.wordcentral.com/ and click on the word dictionary)



By clicking on the play video link you will be able to watch the "The Pacifier" film trailer which may also help you remember what the film is about.


The Pacifier Trailer




So what next?


It would be a good idea to download the film activity sheet record which will guide you on what information should be included in the Film Review.


With the help of the Film Record Sheet, click on the link below to write your review and when you are finished click "I’m signing off"


Click Here If you think you are now ready to submit your film review

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