How to Write a Film Review for KS3 English — With Structure and Examples

A film review for KS3 English is a piece of critical non-fiction writing that evaluates a film's story, direction, performances and effect on the audience — and does so with evidence and reasoned judgement, not just opinion. The strongest reviews spend more words analysing the how of filmmaking than summarising the what of the plot.

What is the purpose of a film review?

A film review has three jobs at once: it informs (this is what the film is), it evaluates (this is how well it succeeds), and it persuades (you should or should not watch it). The KS3 national curriculum requires students to write for a range of real purposes and audiences, and a film review is a genuine real-world genre — published in newspapers, magazines and online.

The critical difference between a school film review and a casual comment is the quality of reasoning. "It was brilliant" is not a review. "The director's use of close-up shots during the argument scene forces the viewer into uncomfortable proximity with both characters, making the conflict feel inescapable" — that is a review.

What is the structure of a KS3 film review?

Notice how little space is given to plot summary. The analysis of craft — the how of filmmaking — is where the marks and the interest lie.

Step 1: Start with a verdict, not the plot

Too many KS3 reviews begin by describing the story from the beginning. Instead, open with your overall judgement and name the film immediately. The reader should know within the first two sentences what film this is and whether you think it is worth watching.

Weak opening: "The film I am going to review is Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki. It is about a girl called Chihiro who goes to a strange place."

Strong opening: "Spirited Away (2001), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is one of the most visually inventive and emotionally resonant animated films ever made — a film that rewards adults as much as children, and lingers in the memory long after the credits roll."

The second opening gives the title, director, release year, genre (implied) and verdict in a single sentence, without a word of plot.

Step 2: Summarise briefly without spoiling

Spend no more than three sentences telling the reader what kind of story this is and what the central character wants. Do not reveal the ending or any significant twist.

Use this formula: [Character] faces [situation] when [inciting incident] — but the film is really about [deeper theme].

For Spirited Away: "Ten-year-old Chihiro is trapped in a spirit world when her parents are transformed into pigs, and must work in a bathhouse for supernatural beings to earn their freedom — but the film is ultimately about courage, identity and what it means to grow up."

That tells the reader enough to follow the rest of the review without giving the story away.

Step 3: Analyse the craft — go beyond "the acting was good"

This is the heart of a film review and the section students most often write poorly. Writing "the acting was good" or "the special effects were amazing" does not constitute analysis. You need to say what specifically the director or actor does, and what effect it creates.

Key craft elements to consider in a film review:

• Cinematography — how does the camera frame scenes? Close-up shots create intimacy or claustrophobia; wide shots convey scale or isolation.
• Soundtrack and score — how does the music manipulate the audience's emotions? Does silence ever do the work instead?
• Editing and pace — fast cuts create energy and chaos; slow editing can build dread or contemplation.
• Performance — how does an actor convey emotion through expression, body language or voice rather than just dialogue?
• Visual style — colour palette, lighting, costume — how do visual choices reinforce theme?

Weak analysis: "The special effects in Spirited Away were really good and colourful."

Strong analysis: "Miyazaki's visual style in Spirited Away is startlingly detailed: the bathhouse's interior — bustling with spirits of every shape — is rendered with such specificity that it feels ethnographically researched rather than imagined. This density of detail rewards repeated viewing and reinforces the film's central argument that the spirit world is as structured, bureaucratic and exhausting as the human world Chihiro has left behind."

Step 4: Evaluate — balance praise with honest criticism

A one-sided review is less persuasive than a balanced one. Acknowledging a weakness, and explaining specifically what it is and why it matters (or does not), gives your praise more credibility.

You do not need to be harsh. A single, precise qualification is enough: "The film's opening twenty minutes, as Chihiro adjusts to her new surroundings, move slowly — but this pacing is arguably deliberate, placing the viewer alongside the disoriented protagonist."

Even a criticism can be reframed as a purposeful choice if you analyse it carefully.

Step 5: Give a specific, reasoned recommendation

Do not end with "I would recommend this to everyone." Be specific about the audience — age, taste, mood — and give a reason.

Vague recommendation: "I recommend this film to anyone who likes films."

Specific recommendation: "Spirited Away is best experienced by viewers aged 10 and above who are willing to sit with strangeness and trust a film that does not explain itself. Those who prefer tidy plots may find it baffling; those open to visual poetry and emotional complexity will find it unforgettable."

Frequently asked questions

How long should a KS3 film review be?

Most classroom film reviews should be between 400 and 600 words. Some teachers specify otherwise. Focus on quality of analysis: a well-structured 450-word review that analyses cinematography and theme is stronger than a 700-word one that retells the entire plot with adjectives attached.

Can you write a film review about a film you did not enjoy?

Yes — and a negative review that explains its reasoning clearly is just as valid as a positive one. Identify what specifically does not work: weak characterisation, a confusing plot, unconvincing dialogue, poor pacing. Support each point with a specific example from the film. An honest, reasoned negative review shows stronger critical thinking than an enthusiastic but vague positive one.

What tense should a film review be written in?

Film reviews are conventionally written in the present tense, as if the film is happening now: "The director cuts between close-ups..." rather than "The director cut between close-ups..." This is a convention of the genre — it creates a sense of immediacy and makes the writing feel more active. Check whether your teacher specifies a preference, but present tense is the standard.

Do you need technical film vocabulary in a KS3 film review?

Using correct terminology — cinematography, close-up, soundtrack, editing, mise-en-scène — demonstrates knowledge and makes your analysis more precise. However, never use technical terms without explaining their effect. "The director uses a close-up" is incomplete; "the director uses a close-up to force the viewer into uncomfortable proximity with the character's grief" is analytical. The term earns marks only when paired with an explanation of its effect.

For Socratic English tutoring on review writing, media literacy and analytical essays, see aitutors.me.