To see a larger image of the review, please click here
Introduction
Despite the fact that my short film review will be displayed in the magazine 'Sight And Sound' - a magazine targeted at critiquing a wide variety of film genres - I have decided to conduct an analysis into the review page of a film named 'Heartless' in 'Total Film' magazine. This will allow me to see some of the techniques and skills used for reviewing films in a magazine targeted at a mainstream audience, and will allow me to pick up any of the techniques used.
Layout
The layout of the magazine review for the film 'Heartless' appears to be dominated by visuals. These images set the overall tone of the film, and portray some of the key moments that may arise within the narrative. The larger image of the youth in the hooded jacket (above the other images) allows the reader to see who the protagonist of the film is, and immediately lets them know with whom they are expected to connect with. This is effective as the audience is likely to become interested due to the image above the text alone. Although the large image is effective, I feel that the image is perhaps too large. This means that there is then little room for text, and that the reader may not gain an insight into the the themes that the film deals with. The two surrounding images are also effective, as they portray some of the darker moments within the film's narrative. However, I feel that the large image at the top of the page should be reduced, and that only one smaller image should have been used. This would have meant that there would have been a larger amount of space for the actual review to take place. I will consider doing this upon creating my own magazine review page for 'Flight'. On a small section on the right of the magazine page is an area dedicated to conducting a short review of the film 'Knight And Day'. I feel that placing a secondary review next to the primary one deduces from the overall effect, and that readers may not pay as close attention to the review of 'Heartless'. Upon creating my own review page, I will ensure that 'Flight' has no other films within the area. This will mean that readers are more likely to focus on my own film review. There is a section of the review dedicated to a particular area of text, which reads: "I thought 'why don't I take the idea of demonic youth at face value?" The text is written in a different colour to the main review, and is in a larger size. This draws the reader's attention to one of the most important pieces of text within the review. I will consider using a similar method upon creating my own review, as it allows the reader to see important pieces of information about the film.
Content
The review of 'Heartless' begins by telling the reader the director of the film - although this is done in a discrete manner. This allows the reader to associate the director with any films that they have seen previously, meaning that they would be able to gain a greater insight into the film before they have even read the review. The review then gives some further information about the director, and mentions how his style has changed as his films progress. What then follows is an interview with Ridley Scott - the director. This allows the reader to gain an insight into what the director was striving to achieve. Although effective, I feel that by not including a review, the reader would be able to make up their own mind about the symbolism which surrounds the film. The review then ends with an optimist idea of the film being a success with the nation. This gives the reader a positive tone after having read the review, meaning that they are perhaps more likely to go and see the production. After the review has ended, the release date of the film is given, resulting in anticipation being raised in the reader about going to see the film. This gives them the relevant information about when the film is released in UK theatres. However, no further information is given, meaning that the certificate and length of the film is unknown. I will be sure to include this in my own review page.
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