My Movie Rating

Hello again!

Here, I'm going to provide my rating for the movie I analyzed in my last blog post.

Here are the categories I will be considering:

• Tells a story which holds the audience's attention
• Demonstrates camera work and editing which enhances the story
• Contains dialogue, narration, and/or background music which enhances the story
• Has compelling and interesting actors

The movie I chose in my last blog post was "The Platform." The overall points I would award this movie would be 75 out of 80. 

Firstly, I'd say the director is an expert in telling a story that holds the audience's attention, so I'd award them 20 points in the first category. The story told in this movie is unlike any I've seen in other films or literature. It differentiates itself from other thriller, dystopian movies like "Bird Box," another similar movie I also enjoyed, by its unique plot elements. For example, in the movie's opening scene, a group of chefs prepare gourmet food in a high-quality kitchen, and in the very next scene, a drastic downgrade of two lackluster individuals in a dull, undecorated prison cell. Later in the movie, the protagonist's cellmate tries to kill him, a different cellmate's dog gets eaten, and the characters uncover a major truth. Changes like these serve to keep the audience's attention throughout the movie as more of the story unfolds and plot twists occur. 

Next, I'd give the director 15 points, as a practitioner in the second category, camera work and editing. Overall, the editing and camera work is great for the film but there is some space to improve. The film utilizes different kinds of shots and angles, which include several close-ups (CU), medium close-ups (MCU), and high and low angles. However, it often repeats these throughout the film. The movie also, however, uses different movements like a tracking shot or, for example, a tilt, when the protagonist looks down the countless levels of prisoners below him.  

For the third category, I'd award the film 20 points, for being an expert, because the dialogue and music all highly contribute and enhance the movie. Since the movie's setting remains the same for the entirety of the film, the director had to get creative in the way the actors express themselves. For instance, throughout the entire film, there are many scenes where the actors are just conversing. Like at the start of the film, where Trimagasi explains the purpose of the prison to the protagonist, Goreng, or later in the film where he meets another cellmate and they spend a substantial portion of their encounter simply discussing their backstories and personal lives. Although nothing particularly fascinating is truly happening, it still manages to keep viewer's attention all throughout the film.

Lastly, I'd give the movie 20 points for having interesting and compelling actors. The actors really drive home the significance and meaning of the film. While the protagonist, at surface level, may seem like a flat character, if one pays close attention, they'll see the evolution in everything from his speech, to his actions, to his beliefs throughout the movie. At first, Gorneg attempted to keep his sanity, didn't want to eat the food from the platform, tried to keep peace and make friends with his cellmates. Later, as the film progresses, all these traits change. Goreng started not only eating the food he at first thought was disgusting, but also practiced cannibalism, spoke harshly and grotesquely with his cellmates, and wasn't afraid to hurt others.

So, overall, this film was great and had a very significant meaning and lesson. The director was an expert in most areas and used many tactics to enhance the film. Although dark, I loved this movie's plot, camera work, dialogue, and actors!