Film Review B2 First: Structure, Phrases and Model Answer

Film review B2 First writing can be enjoyable, but many students are not sure how to organise their ideas. In this lesson, you will learn how to write a film review for B2 First with a clear structure, useful phrases, film vocabulary, model answers and exam tips.

What Is a Film Review?

A film review is a piece of writing in which you describe a film and give your opinion about it.

You may need to write about:

• the story
• the main characters
• the acting
• the atmosphere
• the music
• the special effects
• what you liked
• what you did not like
• whether you recommend the film

A film review should help the reader decide whether they want to watch the film.

Remember: a review is not just a summary of the story. You should not retell the whole plot from beginning to end. Instead, describe the film briefly and explain what you thought of it.

Film Review in B2 First Writing

In B2 First Writing, you may be asked to write a review of a film, book, restaurant, website, event or place.

The task usually tells you:

• what you should review
• who the review is for
• what points you should include
• whether you should make a recommendation

Always read the task carefully. If the task asks you to say whether the film is suitable for teenagers, families or people who enjoy action films, you must answer that point.

What Style Should You Use?

A B2 First film review should be written in a neutral or semi-formal style.

This means your writing should be clear, friendly, organised, interesting, not too informal, and not too academic.

You can use your own opinion, but support it with reasons.

Avoid very informal expressions such as:

• The film was mega cool.
• The actors were rubbish.
• I loved it loads.

Instead, write:

• The film was extremely entertaining.
• Some of the acting was not very convincing.
• I really enjoyed the film because the story was original and exciting.

How to Structure a Film Review for B2 First

A good B2 First film review usually has four paragraphs.

You can use this structure:

1. Title

Give your review a short and interesting title.

Examples:

• A Film Worth Watching
• An Exciting Adventure
• A Moving Story About Friendship
• A Comedy with a Message
• A Brilliant Film for Teenagers

The title should make the reader interested in your review.

2. Introduction

In the introduction, mention the film’s title and give some basic information.

You can include:

• the name of the film
• the type of film
• the main actors
• where or when the story is set
• your general opinion

Useful phrases:

• The film I would like to review is…
• I recently watched…
• One of the best films I have seen recently is…
• It is a comedy / drama / thriller / action film.
• The film is set in…
• It tells the story of…

Example:

The film I would like to review is The Intern, a comedy-drama starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It tells the story of a retired man who starts working for an online fashion company.

3. Paragraph Two: The Story and Characters

In the second paragraph, briefly describe the plot and main characters.

Do not give away the ending. No spoilers, please — nobody wants a review that behaves like a naughty child and ruins the surprise.

Useful phrases:

• The story is about…
• The film follows…
• The main character is…
• At the beginning of the film…
• As the story develops…
• Without giving too much away…

Example:

The film follows Ben, a kind and intelligent retired man who becomes an intern at a busy company. At first, his young boss, Jules, does not think she needs his help, but gradually she realises how wise and supportive he is.

4. Paragraph Three: Your Opinion

In the third paragraph, give your opinion about the film.

You can write about:

• the acting
• the story
• the music
• the atmosphere
• the humour
• the special effects
• the message of the film
• one weakness

Useful phrases:

• What I liked most was…
• The best thing about the film was…
• The acting was convincing because…
• The film was entertaining because…
• One small weakness was…
• However, some parts were a little…
• Although the story was quite simple, it was…

Example:

What I liked most was the relationship between Ben and Jules. Their friendship felt natural and warm, and both actors gave convincing performances. The film was also funny in places, although some parts of the story were a little predictable.

5. Conclusion and Recommendation

In the final paragraph, summarise your opinion and say whether you recommend the film.

Useful phrases:

• Overall, I would recommend this film to…
• In conclusion, this is a great film for…
• I think this film would appeal to…
• If you enjoy…, you will probably like this film.
• Although it is not perfect, I think it is worth watching.

Example:

Overall, I would recommend The Intern to anyone who enjoys light, funny and meaningful films. It is easy to watch, well acted and suitable for a wide audience.

Useful Film Vocabulary for B2 First

Types of Film

• comedy
• drama
• romantic comedy
• thriller
• action film
• adventure film
• science-fiction film
• animated film
• historical drama
• horror film
• documentary

Examples:

• It is a romantic comedy about two people who meet by chance.
• The film is a thriller with several surprising twists.
• It is an animated film, but adults can enjoy it too.

Useful Adjectives for Film Reviews

• entertaining
• exciting
• funny
• moving
• gripping
• interesting
• realistic
• predictable
• confusing
• slow
• well-acted
• well-made
• disappointing
• powerful
• original
• suitable
• enjoyable

Examples:

• The film was gripping from beginning to end.
• The story was a little predictable, but the acting was excellent.
• It was a moving film about family and friendship.

Useful Nouns for Film Reviews

• plot
• story
• character
• actor
• actress
• performance
• scene
• ending
• soundtrack
• special effects
• setting
• message
• atmosphere

Examples:

• The plot was easy to follow.
• The main character was very likeable.
• The soundtrack helped create a romantic atmosphere.

Useful Phrases for Giving Opinions

Positive Opinions

• I really enjoyed this film because…
• One of the strongest points of the film is…
• The best thing about the film is…
• The acting is excellent, especially…
• The story is easy to follow and very entertaining.
• The film has a powerful message about…

Negative Opinions

• The film was not as good as I expected.
• The plot was rather predictable.
• Some scenes were too slow.
• The ending was disappointing.
• The characters were not very realistic.
• The story became confusing in the middle.

Balanced Opinions

• Although the film has some weak points, it is still enjoyable.
• Despite a slow beginning, the film becomes much more exciting later.
• The story is simple, but the characters are interesting.
• The ending is predictable, but the film is still worth watching.

Model Film Review for B2 First

A Film Worth Watching: The Intern

The film I would like to review is The Intern, a comedy-drama starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. It tells the story of Ben, a retired man who starts working as an intern at an online fashion company. Although the idea sounds quite simple, the film is warm, funny and enjoyable.

The story follows Ben as he tries to adapt to a modern workplace. At first, his boss, Jules, is too busy to pay much attention to him. However, she slowly realises that Ben is kind, intelligent and very helpful. The relationship between these two characters is one of the best parts of the film.

In my opinion, the acting is excellent. Robert De Niro gives a very natural performance, and Anne Hathaway is convincing as a successful businesswoman who is under a lot of pressure. The film is also entertaining because it has both funny and emotional moments. However, some parts of the story are a little predictable, and the ending is not very surprising.

Overall, I would recommend The Intern to anyone who enjoys light but meaningful films. It is well acted, easy to watch and suitable for both teenagers and adults.

Why Is This a Good B2 First Review?

This review works well because it:

• answers the task clearly
• has a title
• uses paragraphs
• describes the story without spoilers
• gives opinions with reasons
• mentions both strengths and weaknesses
• includes a clear recommendation
• uses suitable B2 vocabulary

It does not try to sound too complicated. That is important. In B2 First, clear and accurate English is better than long, confusing sentences.

Another Short B2 Film Review Example

An Exciting Adventure: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

I recently watched Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, an adventure comedy starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black. The film is about a group of teenagers who are pulled into a video game and must complete a dangerous adventure in order to return home.

The story is fast-moving and easy to follow. Each teenager becomes a completely different character inside the game, which creates many funny situations. The actors are very entertaining, and Jack Black is especially amusing in his role.

What I liked most about the film was its humour and energy. There are many exciting scenes, but the film does not take itself too seriously. On the other hand, the plot is quite predictable, and some jokes are repeated too often.

Overall, I would recommend this film to people who enjoy adventure films with comedy. It is not a very serious film, but it is great fun to watch with friends or family.

Common Mistakes in B2 First Film Reviews

1. Telling the Whole Story

Avoid writing too much about the plot.

Not so good:

• First this happens, then this happens, and then at the end…

Better:

• Without giving too much away, the story follows a young man who discovers an important family secret.

2. Using Only Simple Adjectives

Avoid repeating:

• good
• bad
• nice
• interesting

Better vocabulary:

• entertaining
• gripping
• moving
• predictable
• well-acted
• disappointing
• enjoyable
• realistic

Not so good:

• The film was good and the actors were good.

Better:

• The film was entertaining, and the actors gave convincing performances.

3. Forgetting to Give Reasons

In a review, your opinion needs support.

Not so good:

• I liked the film.

Better:

• I liked the film because the story was original and the characters felt realistic.

4. Forgetting the Recommendation

A film review should usually end with a recommendation.

Not so good:

• That is my review of the film.

Better:

• I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys exciting stories with likeable characters.

5. Using a Style That Is Too Informal

Avoid:

• The film was super cool and the ending was rubbish.

Better:

• The film was very entertaining, although the ending was rather disappointing.

B2 First Film Review Plan

Before you start writing, make a quick plan.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Name the film and give basic information.

Paragraph 2: Story and characters

Briefly describe the plot and main characters.

Paragraph 3: Your opinion

Say what was good and mention one weakness.

Paragraph 4: Recommendation

Say who should watch the film and why.

This simple plan will help you organise your ideas clearly.

Practice Task

You see this announcement in an English-language magazine for students.

Film Reviews Wanted!

Have you watched an interesting film recently? Write a review of the film. Say what the film is about, what you liked or disliked about it, and whether you would recommend it to other students.

Write your review in 140–190 words.

Useful Review Template

You can use this template to practise:

Title:

A Film Worth Watching

Paragraph 1:

The film I would like to review is __________. It is a __________ film starring __________. The story is about __________.

Paragraph 2:

The main character is __________. At the beginning of the film, __________. As the story develops, __________.

Paragraph 3:

What I liked most was __________. The acting was __________, and the story was __________. However, __________.

Paragraph 4:

Overall, I would recommend this film to __________ because __________.

Film Review Checklist for B2 First

Before you finish your film review, check these questions:

• Have I given my review a title?
• Have I mentioned the name of the film?
• Have I described the story briefly?
• Have I avoided spoilers?
• Have I given my opinion clearly?
• Have I supported my opinion with reasons?
• Have I mentioned at least one weakness?
• Have I included a recommendation?
• Have I used paragraphs?
• Have I checked grammar, spelling and punctuation?

Final Exam Tip

When you write a film review for B2 First, do not try to sound too complicated. A strong review is clear, organised and easy to read.

Instead of writing:

• The film was very good.

Write:

• The film was entertaining and well acted, with a simple but moving story.

That is exactly the kind of language that helps your review sound more natural, more precise and more B2-ready.

Related posts:

Writing a Review for B2 First (FCE) 

How to Write a Book Review

How to Write an Article for B2 First (FCE) 

How to Write an Essay for B2 First (FCE) 

Vocabulary Related to Films 

26 Adjectives to Describe a Film 

Expressing Opinions and Arguments in English 

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FAQ 

How do you write a film review for B2 First?

To write a film review for B2 First, include a title, an introduction, a short description of the story, your opinion about the film and a final recommendation.

What style should a B2 First film review have?

A B2 First film review should be clear, friendly and semi-formal. You should give opinions, support them with reasons and use suitable film vocabulary.

How many words should a B2 First review have?

A B2 First review is usually 140–190 words.

What should I include in a film review?

You should include the film title, the type of film, a short description of the story, your opinion, strengths and weaknesses, and a recommendation.