Monday, March 25, 2013

Critical Analysis (Review) of Metropolis

A critical review goes a little further than a film review or critique that a journalist might write for a newspaper or magazine. Being more scholarly, this is the kind of paper that you might write taking a college course in film. Its focus is not only to answer who, what, when, but also HOW and WHY. (who is in or involved in the film, what elements make up the film; what is my reaction to the film, when was it made or premiered, but HOW is the film relevant to society, to human culture, WHY should we watch it, HOW did it affect films after it, HOW are film elements used skillfully (or not) in the film, and WHY should we view the film?

Your critical review paper should include the following (follow these steps to ensure you have all the components you will need to effectively evaluate and analyze the film):

1. An introduction that discusses the history and significance of Metropolis. It should be clear that you know the background and something about the genre you are writing about.

2. You should briefly summarize the plot and identify the characters (and often their actors playing the parts). In essence, you should summarize the movie's plot, setting, characters) before you begin to examine it. This summary usually is in the second paragraph, after the introduction, and lasts only 1 paragraph.

3. Your body of your paper should examine the question you prepared while watching the film: the narratology, the history, the editing, the use of special effects. It should be clear that you know the details about the film (including actors, directors, producers, and other film jobs and who was responsible, how the film did historically at the box office, etc.)See IMDB.com for details.

4. Your body of your paper should judge and evaluate the skill of these people in doing their jobs and give reasons or support your opinions.

5. Your essay should connect major themes or the impact of the film to ones own life or to the HUMAN CONDITION. Are these themes best served in the genre, and by the film?

6. Finally, you should summarize by answering why this film, editing, story, etc. is relevant? Why should someone watch this film? How did this film affect the industry after it was made? Did it influence other contemporary directors, or create new styles of artistic expression? Etc.

Proofread your work before you turn it in.

HOMEWORK: Please complete your essay if you did not finish it in class. Read Chapter 11 & 12: The Movies Learn to Speak & the Academy Awards for next class.

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