Task 2- Research into existing products: Anaylsis of film reviews

Code/Convention	Notes & Evidence from real media products (the reviews)	Why is it there / like this?
Layout	Layout is typical for most reviews to start there is a bold heading which reads the film title. There is then often a small caption underneath such as a pun and catchy like ‘Toy Story Three’s’ review “Or Die Another Daycare” The layout is very clear showing separate paragraphs to show there different interpretations of the film. The plot, review and verdict are the three subtitles used, making the lay out clear and simple to read. Another typical convention of a review layout is the staring system to rate the film out of five stars, most are located at the top and bottom of the page like the review of the film ‘The Bling Ring’	The bold heading is used to grab the reader’s attention and the small caption underneath gives an indication to what time of review it is whether that be funny or serious outlook on the film. The separate paragraphs are used to break up the review and show the main areas they have focused on. The starring system is used in all review articles. It acts as a quick summarisation of what the reviewer thought of the film whereas the actual review goes into more detail.
Different Headings	There is often different heading such as sub titles to separate the review into categories. Stereotypical titles include the plot, review and verdict.	The sub headings are used to break up the review into stages making it simpler to read.
How the review is introduced	The review is often introduced by the plot to inform the readers what the film was about.	A plot summary at the start is used to give the reader a small insight to what the films about if they haven’t seen it yet. It also doesn’t give too much away in case people haven’t seen the film but want to so don’t want this to act as a spoiler.
Use of puns	Puns are often used such as in ‘Toy Story Three’s’ “Or Die Another Daycare” As well as a pun used in the review of ‘The Bling Ring’ “Devils stole Prada” this is a play on words to connect the film  to another well-known film ‘Devil Wears Prada’ indicating to the reader the connection they may  have.	Puns are used to catch the reader’s attention and make there review more lively ad opposed to dull.
Balance of fact & opinion	There are many facts used in reviews however they are normally followed by the reviewer’s opinion of it therefore having an influential opinion onto the reader. “The Bling Ring turns from 90210 into a high-end heist movie as celebs such as Paris Hilton become the victims of these mean girls.” This is an example used the review of ‘The Bling Ring’ as it starts as an fact suggesting what celebrities are in it but then suggests their opinion on what the celebrities involvement means, which impacts the readers opinion on what it means.	Opinions are shown throughout the majority of reviews and this is because the person writing it is writing it from their interpretations on whether they like the film are not.
Use of humour	Humour is used throughout many reviews such as “still including a Mrs Potato Head, but hey, we ain't judging” this adds a comical element as it takes the fun out of seventeen year old Andy still having toys.	Humour is used throughout many reviews to add a light-hearted tone to the review and making their comments more fun than serious jibes to the movie.
Discussion of film’s content	The films content is analysed but some sections only briefly. The plot used at the start is as way to explain the films content but not in too much detail.	The plot used at the start is as way to explain the films content without boring the audience but is enough for someone who hasn’t seen the film to understand what it’s about.
Discussion of film’s technologies or styling	“State-of-the-artistry we now take for granted with Pixar” this implies the use of animation in the film	The reviewer comment briefly on the technologies used but only short and snappy to keep the reader entertained as many may not know the editing styles used therefore couldn’t to relate to what they are saying.
Discussion of film’s characters	‘Toy Story Three’ review analyses most main characters but doesn’t go into much detail as this is the third instalment. It does state “it brings in new characters without neglecting the originals” but doesn’t go into detail out the new characters implying they don’t see the need to mention them all.	‘Toy Story Three’ review analyses most main characters but doesn’t go into much detail as this is the third instalment in the sequence therefore the reviewer most likely expects that the readers who are reading the review are already up to date on the older characters.
How the review is summed up	All reviews are summed up with the conventional verdict. This is the final opinion of the reviewer put forward after they have analysed the film as a whole. “A kids’ movie for grown-ups. A grown-up movie for kids. Exactly what you’d expect — and hope for — from the latest, and we’re guessing final, Woody and Buzz adventure.” This from ‘Toy Story Three’ implies their opinion on the target audience for the film.	A verdict is used to conclude on the film in a short simple sentence to make their voice simple and easy to be heard. Also they sometimes contain what they think the target audience is helping the readers conclude on whether to watch the film or not.