IB L.E.S.

How to Write a Movie Critique

Student Booklet
Name: _____________________________________

Group: _____________

Teacher: ____________________________________
1 Introducing the Project
This project is all about becoming a critic. You will look at the different aspects of
analysing movies and see examples of critics in action to better understand what critics
talk about when they critique a film. In the end, you will have to watch a movie and
make a critique about it using the vocabulary and format you learned in class.

Of course, there will be a few evaluations. Since this is an IB project, you will be
evaluated on:

Criterion A: Listening (answers on video)

Criterion B: Reading (answers on written text and short video)

Criterion C: Speaking (team discussions)

Criterion D: Writing (teacher’s choice)

As well as:

C1 Oral Evaluation (team discussions)

C2 Reading Comprehension (reading text)

C3 Written Text (teacher’s choice)

Remember to study well in order to get the best grades possible.

Good luck to all you future critics!

 How to Write a Critique 2
What is a ‘‘critique’’? It is a detailed, critical analysis of a work by a critic. A ‘‘critic’’ is the
person who gives a critique. It is a careful judgement that can be positive, negative or a
mix of both. A critique is based on facts, specific examples from the work and expertise
and not personal feelings or opinions.

Structure:

1) Introduction (1 paragraph)
I. First sentence(s): Define and describe the work you will analyse (information
about the movie). Ex: Title? Who is the director? What is the story (short
summary without giving away the ending)? Which year did it come out? How
did people react to it? Etc.
II. Then, quickly mention the 3 aspects of the movie you will look at.

2) Main Body (3+ paragraphs, 1 aspect per paragraph)

I. Begin by introducing the first aspect the movie. You can talk about the
setting, characters, story, voice actors, CGI, etc.
Then, in the same paragraph, start with the first problem OR good point
about this aspect of the film.
Explain what is bad/good.
Always add a specific example from the work itself (ex: Character is… They
are good because… For example…)
II. Second and third paragraphs: another good/bad point on a second and
third aspect. Describe, explain, and use specific example(s).

3) Conclusion (1 paragraph)
I. Restate what the work is briefly in different words and quickly go over all
your points again. End the critique by stating if you would recommend it (or
not) and to who (age group, interests, fans of…, etc.)

For movies and television series, here are points you can talk about:

- Characters and character development

- Setting
- Story: Does it keep your attention? Is the ending good/bad?
(also ‘Plot holes’ = Does it make sense? If it doesn’t and/or they don’t explain, it’s a
plot hole)
- Dialogues (what characters say) or script (all actions and dialogues are written)
- Scenes (action, romantic, funny, suspense, sad)
- Actors or voice actors
- Animation, special effects,
CGI (computer generated imagery)
- Music
- Genre (if the scenes fit the genre)
3 Vocabulary Activity: Analyse a Critique
Give a definition to the following words:
Character development: ____________________________________________________________

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Setting: __________________________________________________________________________

Story: ___________________________________________________________________________

Dialogue: ________________________________________________________________________

Script: ___________________________________________________________________________

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Actors: __________________________________________________________________________

Voice actors: _____________________________________________________________________

Animation: _______________________________________________________________________

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Special effects: ____________________________________________________________________

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Music: ___________________________________________________________________________

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Invested: _________________________________________________________________________

Scene: ___________________________________________________________________________

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Plot-Holes: _______________________________________________________________________

Cliché: __________________________________________________________________________

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 Viewing a Critic in Action 4
While viewing the video, take notes of what the critic talks about.

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After viewing the video,

What is the title and author of the work (if mentioned) the critic talks about?

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Who is/are the protagonist(s)? Describe their looks and personality.

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Describe the main setting.

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What is 1 of the points the critic makes? (Story, character, special effects, actors, etc.)

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Give a short description of this point: is it good/bad? Explain and give an example
from the work.

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What is a second point?

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Give a short description of this point: is it good/bad? Explain and give an example
from the work.

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What is a third point?

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Give a short description of this point: is it good/bad? Explain and give an example
from the work.

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In your own opinion: Do you think this is a good film? Why or why not?

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Which two points, said by the critic, do you find the most convincing? Why?

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Compare this movie to another that is similar (plot, characters+ development, scenes,
music, etc.). How is the movie different?

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 My Critique: Mr. Bean 6
IB Criterion A & C Evaluation:
Listening and Speaking
While watching:

Take notes of aspects of films a critic would look at about this work.

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After watching:

Answer the following questions.

1) Who is the protagonist? What do they do that keeps the viewers’ interest? Example.
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2) What are the three setting? Describe them in a few words.
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3) What is the genre? Describe two moments where this shows.
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4) What are the stories of the three episodes? Write a short summary.
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How much dialogue is there? Is that good or bad and why? Example.
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5) Rowan Atkinson is the actor of Mr. Bean. Is he a good actor or not? Why? Example.
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6) What kind of music and sound effects play during the episodes? What effect does it
have on the scene?
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Last part: I give this a ____________% rating

(100%= amazing, 70%=good, 50% or less=bad)

As a critic, would you recommend Mr. Bean to other people of your age? Yes / No and 3
reasons why.

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Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean

since 1990
 My Critique: Practice 8
While watching:

Take notes of: characters, setting, story, dialogues or script, scenes, voice actors,
animation, and music.

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After watching:

Answer the following questions.

1) Who are 3 of the protagonist(s) and 1 antagonist? Describe them a bit.

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2) What type of movie genre is it? How can you tell? (mention elements and examples)
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Are the main characters interesting/funny/relatable or not? Give an example and
explain.
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3) Describe the setting. (type of world, time)
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4) What is the story of the episode? (main events) about 40 words.
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9

5) How does the story keep the viewer interested? Example?

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6) How is the dialogue? (Funny? Sarcastic? Intelligent? None verbal? Etc.) Example.
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7) Do you like the acting/voice acting? Why?
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8) Is the music good or bad? How does it affect the scenes? Give an example.
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9) What rating would you give this show? Would you recommend it and 3 reasons why
(not)?

My rating: _______________ % (100%= amazing, 85%=great, 70%=good, 50% or - = bad)

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 Could ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Save Us From 10
Superhero Reboot Fatigue?
By Brandon Katz • 12/14/18 4:25pm

More so than any other genre in recent memory, superhero films have become vessels for bottled-up rage,
the perfect outlet for hyped-up fans looking to blow off steam or pick a fight. Marvel and DC supporters
cross swords made of vibranium and Nth metal, while critics and audiences grow farther apart. In some
ways, the environment surrounding superhero movies has become toxic and painful. But if there was ever a
film that could unite everyone, it’s Sony’s excellent animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Directors Peter Ramsey, Robert Persichetti Jr. and Rodney Rothman breathe new life into the visual
language of comic books through their bold stylistic pictures by using surreal and colourful images. The
comedy flows effortlessly; the film’s jokes and observational humor is strengthened by its characters’
perfect timing. Most important, though, Spider-Verse would not work without its protagonist Miles Morales
(voiced by Shameik Moore), who presents genuinely emotional moments that bring all the feels. He is
heartfelt, courageous and, most importantly, realistic. Miles is a reluctant hero, which underscores the
difficulty—the actual humanness—of being a hero. “Anyone can wear the mask,” he says in one scene.
“You could wear the mask.”

And just like that, Sony may have solved the big nagging problem about the superhero genre: reboot fatigue.

As we’ve noted previously, remakes and sequels may eventually grind our idols into tired old dust (no
help from Thanos needed) because of the sheer amount of remakes of our favourite superheroes. We’re
getting new versions of both Batman and Superman soon, while live-action, big-screen Spidey and the
Incredible Hulk have been played by three different film actors each. But Spider-Verse represents a passing
of the torch to a fresh face that further refreshes and strengthens the property and, in doing so, lays the
groundwork for other popular franchises to do the same.

Peter Parker (this time played by Jake Johnson) is an enduring comic character, and he’s still present
in Spider-Verse, though here he’s an aging vigilante who has grown more and more worn-out throughout his
hero career as his personal life has fallen apart. Meanwhile, Miles—first introduced in 2011’s Ultimate
Comics: Spider-Man—is a scared teenager who, after getting bitten by that pesky radioactive spider (origin
stories are used as a running punch line here), wants nothing more than to avoid the hero life altogether. The
pair helps each other evolve, the elder statesman shedding that chip on his shoulder and the young upstart
embracing his new destiny. By using Parker, the mainstay of the franchise, to help set up the next chapter of
the series, Spider-Verse enables Miles to effectively carry on the legacy with a fresh set of adventures and
themes, though he doesn’t have to carry the entire load by himself.

The idea isn’t exactly new for comic book readers and fans of superhero animation—iconic mantles have
been turned over before. Riri Williams recently donned Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor; Thor’s long-time love
interest Jane Foster was given his power in 2014; even Batman relinquished the cape and mask eventually.
We’ve also seen a modified version of this approach in the MCU, with Robert Downey Jr.’s Stark mentoring
a young Peter Parker (Tom Holland), and DC Films is pivoting away from Henry Cavill’s Superman in
favor of a Supergirl movie.

This is the way forward for superhero movies. Not only does it allow for more diversity in these giant
money-makers —Miles is a half-black, half-Latino kid leading a $90 million extravaganza— but it also
alleviates some of the pressure on these new characters to do all the heavy lifting. Audiences are far more
willing to invest in a reboot if they feel the original has given it its blessing. It’s an easy manoeuvre to
sidestep the waning star power of a Bruce Wayne or a Clark Kent as they’re cycled through multiple
stories, and it provides the potential for rich, brilliant connections between the old guard and the new (think
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine teaming with Dafne Keen’s X-23 in Logan).

As long as the genre remains Hollywood’s bread and butter, the superhero debates will rage on (just look
at the comments sections and all those overzealous Twitter threads). But Spider-Man: Into the Spider-
Verse is that rare movie that will appeal to every type of moviegoer. Its innovation—both in cinematic form
and storytelling —can be transferred to other ongoing cinematic universes to help keep their beloved
franchises from growing stale. Besides, the internet can only handle so many Peter Parker memes.

Adapted from : https://observer.com/2018/12/spiderman-into-the-spider-verse-movie-review-sony-marvel-

dcu/

blow off steam: to let out energy and emotions vibranium and Nth metal: the hardest metal in each
. universe

all the feels: is emotional/touching grind into tired old dust: overuse so much it becomes
. old and undesirable

Thanos: main villain in Marvel universe passing of the torch: finding a successor

shedding that chip of his shoulder: overcomes his grief waning star power: popular stars losing their fame
. over time

bread and butter: makes the most money growing stale: become boring
 My Critique: Reading Spider-Man 12
Criterion B
Before reading / Watching the Movie

1. What do you know about Spider-man? (Franchise, characters, movies, comics, etc.)

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2. Look at the picture on the next page and the movie. Who is the main character? How
is he different from the other Spider-man Peter Parker? (Appearance, personality,
cultural background/story, etc.)

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After reading

3. At the beginning of the review, how does the author view the environment around the
superhero movie genre? Answer and give an example of a line showing this.

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4. How does the author feel about the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? What
are three detailed reasons he gives to further prove his point?

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5. What is the big nagging problem the superhero genre is facing? In what form does
this appear?

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6. How does the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse solve the problem in question
#5? How does it appear in the movie?

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7. Name one other comic or movie where this solution takes place according to the text.
Describe a bit how they fixed the problem.

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Personal

8. In your opinion, do you believe that the superhero genre problem exists? Explain why
using another example of movie or series.

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9. What would be another solution that the movie industry could use to deal with the
problem?

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 My Critique: Writing a Critique 14
Criterion D: Writing

It is now time for you to write your own critique!

- First, you will watch a movie or episode and write notes about different aspects.
- Then, you will need to write about 3 aspects of the movie you find important.
- Use the format on page 2 of this booklet to write your text. (250 words)

Part 1: Viewing and note taking

Part 2: Draft
Part 3: Final copy

Note Taking
 Rubric for Competency 3: Writing and Producing Text
A B C D E

Text All steps are Most of the Some steps are Half of the Only did 1 or 2
Components: followed. steps are missing and/or steps are not steps, not clear
Paragraphs are followed. unfinished. completed and and/or
- Uses of well-defined Paragraphs are Paragraphs are not well- presented,
critique the critique made and present but very presented. copied.
structure structure is usually well- few or awkwardly Made few
format followed defined. placed. Critique paragraphs or *Plagiarism =
properly. Critique structure is none. Barely 0%.
structure is somewhat follows critique
mostly followed. structure.
followed. 1
5 3 2
4

Language 0 to 10 errors. Few errors, Some spelling Many errors Too many
Repertoire: Verb tense is verb tense is and syntax errors and awkward errors that the
correct and consistent and that sometimes sentence text cannot be
- Spelling consistent correct. impede structure that understood, or
throughout the understanding. often impede text is
- Verb
text. Verb tense is understanding. incomplete.
- Syntax sometimes Wrong verb
inconsistent. tense used. *Plagiarism=
0%
15 – 14 13 – 12 – 11
10 – 9 8–7–6
5–4–3–2–1

Total: /20

A B C D E
Content : Critique uses 3 Critique uses 3 Critique uses 3 Critique doesn’t Not completed,
proper aspects good aspects for aspects, but they use 3 aspects, is inappropriate
- Aspects for the movie, the movie, are not fully lacks and/or has no
explains well explains each developed. explanations and examples or
- Details
and uses and uses Explanations and examples. Has explanations.
- Examples accurate and examples that examples are some Too many
specific are usually somewhat inaccuracies. inaccuracies or
- Accuracy examples. specific. present. not
understandable.
20 – 19 18 – 17 – 16 15 – 14 – 13 - 12 *Plagiarism =
11 – 10 – 9
0%.

Total : /20