Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant and Very Helpful
Review: I recently took McKee's 3-day marathon "STORYSEMINAR" in L.A. It was almost like a religious experience -motivating, informative, inspirataional, etc. I highly recommend taking it if you haven't. The( ) price is steep, but more than worth it. The book is an incredible companion, and an outright necessity, for taking the seminar. For all of the brilliance offered in the book, the seminar really opened the doors even wider in helping me understand the theories and principles McKee presents in the book. Definitely 5 stars for the book, 6 for his Seminar. END
Rating: 
Summary: Good Resource Manual
Review: Robert McKee's Story is a must-have book for the aspiring screenwriter. He breaks down every theoretical element to a story (from exposition and inciting incident all the way to scene design and the principle of antagonism). The book itself is neatly organized into four parts: The Writer and the Art of Story, The Elements of Story, The Principles of Story Design, and The Writer at Work. The only fault I find with McKee's book, and this is just my own personal taste, is that it is oriented towards writing classical Hollywood films. He doesn't leave much room for the deviations created by such masters as Jean-Luc Godard. Since that is where my primary interests lie the book didn't influence me as much as others. But one must understand the concepts he is teaching in order to deviate from them. So I encourage all aspiring writers to have at least read this book (it'll help you more than Syd Field ever will).
Rating:
Summary: One for the Writer's Library
Review: STORY, while ultimately a screenwriting guide, focuses enough on building a compelling character-driven tale that I recommend it to anyone out there who is writing fiction as well, especially novels. Much of the book will startle you with its clarity and insight. Take for example the importance of the Inciting Incident, that moment in the story where the protagonist is thrown into action. While not necessarily a new idea, McKee's presentation and discussion of this and other story components is impressive. Although the book does at times dip into detail on structure that becomes overwhelming, it's a nice tool to add to the library. Like any good "how-to" book it's best when savored for its resonating nuggets and used as a jumping-off point for finding your own way.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best, though not the only
Review: It's a wonderful book, with tons of insight, and a great guide for the screewnwriter. I have read most of the books on this subject out there, and this one is not only one of the best at painting a clear picture of story structure and its importance to good storytelling, but it tells you why as well.Is story structure (and this book's description of it) formulaic? To some degree, yes. It is certainly less formulaic than Syd Field's original books. But "you have to know the rules before you can break them." These are the rules. Master them, understand them, realize how they came to be, and why they were made, and THEN break the rules. This book recognizes, analyzes, and describes structure as it is practiced in Hollywood today, and has been for many years. If you want to sell to Hollywood, follow their rules, at least at first. You cannot go wrong buying this book. Worth every penny. I took one of his seminars, and I have to say that though I really got something from the seminar, the book was even better (cheaper, too!).
Rating:
Summary: A great read! You'll probably enjoy this!
Review: No one writes with more passion and authority than Mr. McKee. He never recommends formula. He points out principles, that if followed, will keep you honest and aware and appreciative of this art form. His writing is free of cynicism, and if he occasionally wanders into the intellectual, he can be forgiven. There is more helpful advice in this book than any three I've ever read, including Ms. Seger's. I highly recommend it. Were I still teaching screenwriting, I would require it.
Rating:
Summary: In the Entertainment Biz.
Review: I have yet to read this book, however I work in the Entertainment business and I saw it on the desk of every producer at a company that develops Children's television programs during a recent biz trip. If you want to sell a manuscript, it might help if you know what the people who buy manuscripts are reading. That's why I bought it.
Rating: 
Summary: Wish I liked it as much as the others did
Review: I'm a professional writer and thought I had found a gold mine with this book. I should say that I'm a playwright, not a screenwriter, and that may affect my opinion. But it's hard for me to imagine a more formulaic approach than that given by Robert McKee here. Though McKee acknowledges that cinematic masterpieces often break with convention, he spends hundreds of pages laying out rules for exactly how a film should be structured, exactly where various plot points should occur, exactly where they should be resolved. He even tells you how to construct sentences! At times he also gives advice I question; for instance, he says to avoid such directions as WE HEAR, WE SEE, and SMASH CUT, all of which I've seen in professionally produced teleplays. As the book went on I found myself thinking of exceptions to the rules put forward by McKee. I can't think of a more smothering experience than trying to create a screenplay using these mountains of rules. In my view, McKee focuses on structure at the expense of content and substance. *What* the writer is saying seems less important to him than *how* he or she is saying it. If I wanted an exhaustive reference on how to structure a screenplay so that it will be exactly what Hollywood is used to seeing, this might be a book I'd turn to. But I was hoping for something more inspired. I'm not including my name because I've seen how a couple of other reviewers were pounced on when they criticized this book. I *will* try some of the other books they mention.
Rating:
Summary: A screenwriting book about...Story.
Review: In my opinion this book is invaluable for screenwriters, producers, or film buffs that desire an exploration of story in film. Once I read this book, my experience of movies changed. Now, one of the first things I notice about a movie is how well the story is crafted. Bottom line. Get this book if you want to see the 'story' in the movie. If you don't think story is a vitally important part of the filmmaking process, you may find other screenwriting books will better suit you.
Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book!
Review: Attend McKee's Seminars and buy this book! I recommend his approach to my screenwriting students.
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: If you want to know what makes a story tick on the inside, then you should definitely read this book. McKee's academic/analytical approach to what makes a story great is awe inspiring. You'll find his writing very persuasive.
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