Apple iMovie for Mac

User Reviews

• "Simply: amazing!"

  mucegi19846/6/2017

  Pros

  Very simple to use, really intuitive interface

  Cons

  Handling of the photos requires improvement

  Summary

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• iMovie 10 is a mere shadow of the earlier versions.

  taichicoach12/19/2014

  Pros

  - One possible "pro" of the latest version is that it seems to have been dumbed down to make it compatible with mobile devices like iPads and iPhones. I have used every version of iMovie since its inception. Each new version took some getting used to, but each one was an improvement over the last, with the exception of the latest version (iMovie 10) which was released in 2013. I haven't been able to work with the latest version at all, in spite of considerable time and effort spent trying to make it work.

  Cons

  - One definite "con" of the latest version is that it seems to have been dumbed down to be compatible with mobile devices. Upon upgrading, iMovie 10 offers to import all iMovie clips, including those from external hard drives into one place on the main computer. Of course there is not enough room on any computer for the amount of video I have. So clips must be imported manually one at a time. This leads to more problems because the library system in the new version is not as functional. The main problem with the new version is that the project is part of the clip, not the other way around. With the older versions, you created a project, and then selected clips from different events (video clips) on your Hard Drive/s. Version 10 creates a project within an event, & in spite of considerable effort to find one, there is no way to use footage from other events. This renders the software completely useless for anyone creating anything of any real value.

  Summary

  Previously, iMovie was a brilliant piece of software that I used to edit movies up to 180 minutes long, including my own instructional videos and a friend's audition pieces for film schools. It was easy and intuitive. Only rarely did I need to use more powerful software like Final Cut, AVID, or After Effects. The latest version seems to have been designed by people who have no understanding of what iMovie was or could be. Perhaps they are trying to get out of the desktop business and want to push iMac users to the iPad or iPhone. This does not suit creative people who need powerful functional software. Perhaps they just want to force clients to use the more expensive Final Cut Pro, Avid Symphony, Adobe Premier, etc. In any case, I am fortunate that I kept the older version (which strangely is called iMovie '11) installed on my iMac. Otherwise, I would be totally snookered and this review would have decidedly more hostile tone. The inadequacy of the latest iMovie is one of the reasons why I will not be purchasing an new iMac anytime soon. I need to me certain that my computer is compatible with the functional versions of the Mac software, not the dumbed down iPhone-compatible versions.

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• killed my library

  10/15/2014

  Pros

  fast uploads from camera by comparison to previous version

  Cons

  1) will not create a movie - the little blue circle in the upper right just says processing....evidently for all eternity 2) and most importantly, corrupted my library. i have a video library dating back to 1996...nothing important just my children being born and our life since then....and it appears that i have to reimport all my data....oh bummer, tape files don't maintain integrity forever...trying to salvage. paid $99 for one to one - first session today - conclusion rebuild your library - apple / imovie should be sued....if you have a large video library, do not count on this version of imovie to work for you - you will work for it

  Summary

  don't load it if you have a large library and care about it.

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• DO NOT BUY DO NOT UPGRADE BACK UP iMovie 9 if u have it

  slj20028/3/2014

  Pros

  NONE except for trailers

  Cons

  VERY counter inituitive, cluttered, no way to use without a Ph.D, useless, VERY disappointed...

  Summary

  If u have iMovie version 9 KEEP it. Back it up if you want to download iMovie 11. The version 11 is GREAT for the trailers...but that is it...so I have both versions. I use iMovie 09 for movie making and 11 ONLY for the trailers. now Apple is charging $14.99 for a very useless piece of c**p. I guess they want u to buy the $299 Final Cut Pro but have ticked off many long time users of Mac. DO NOT BUY and ONLY upgrade if you have a previous version backed up somewhere.

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• Don't upgrade.

  myboyatc11/27/2013

  Pros

  It was free

  Cons

  • Missing tools • Downgraded capabilities • Downgraded customization abilities • Downgraded looks • More complicated • Less linear than the original • More cluttered • Less intuitive • Less user friendly • Nearly impossible to more clips • Nearly impossible to made sound changes • Nearly impossible to customize fonts and titles

  Summary

  I know this isn't FCP. Not by a long shot. But 10.0.1 sucks. There's no way to put it nicely. I've never used an Apple product that I've hated so much as this. At least with the old iMovie I knew the limitations existed. With this new iteration of iMovie, things that were possible in the old version are gone! Want to move a clip? fat chance without first having to select the whole clip. No simple drag and drop. This is a total piece of crap, and if I could downgrade I would. I would sooner pay Apple to destroy this software than use it after this experience. I turned the semi-professional tool into a thing of child's play that no one should have to suffer through. The ONLY positive thing about the upgrade was that it was free. I hope Apple sees this and realizes they have failed us. PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE, if you value your sanity, DO NOT UPGRADE.

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• A real headache

  apcreative2/27/2013

  Pros

  The program is fairly simple and has a lot of good features for beginners

  Cons

  The Apple forums are riddled with complaints about changes that don't save. I've had to recreate a project five times because the autosave function works only sporadically. Many of the type style and text changes revert to earlier versions after restarting the computer. Timing shifts, as well. Basically, you can't count on anything to stick. Also, your ability to customize design and type treatments is very limited in this program.

  Summary

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• Don't waste your time!

  grandmothersapron3/25/2012

  Pros

  Well, I am looking, but have not found any!

  Cons

  Too difficult to edit, select, organize image/video clips. Controls are non-intuitive. File format limitations, especially if the files are on digital storage other than a camera. Limited and messy audio editing tools and functions. Tutorials and support are completely insufficient, suggesting Apple developers did not consider this application worth discussion.

  Summary

  I wouldn't pay a penny for this software. The selection tool alone is cause to declare this application a complete waste of time and energy. Unless you get pleasure from frustration, don't bother.

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• A real waste of time

  hdrasin9/4/2011

  Pros

  When it works, which is not often, it's easy and intuitive to use.

  Cons

  Changes the timing of transitions and photos-and will not reset No matter what you try you can't reset them to what you want. I have wasted many hours trying to get this program to do the simple things that it is supposed to.

  Summary

  Search the Internet, you will find many people with complaints that this program simply doesn't work as advertised. It can be a real time waster. If you must use it, back up your work frequently and when it crashes, be prepared to go back and start from that point all over again.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Sep 4, 2011<p/>Actually, using backup copies doesn't help once the program is corrupted. The backup copies, that used to work fine, become unusable. Someone had suggested NEVER adding transitions until all of your photos are in place. Since my project is practically completed, it's not possible for me to do that and I assume I would need to start from scratch. Since the whole edited process is unusable at this point, I fear I will need to find a different program to use rather than wasting time here, again. Hopefully Apple will pay some attention to this and fix the bug that causes the program to be corrupted when there is an interaction between the use of transitions and inserted photos.

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• A great starting movie maker

  JLovett154/26/2011

  Pros

  Great for pros and new people

  Cons

  SOme cameras do not work with it.

  Summary

  A great video editing thing for everyone

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• Simply: amazing!

  maluen4/9/2011

  Pros

  Very simple to use, really intuitive interface

  Cons

  Handling of the photos requires improvement

  Summary

  Highly recommended

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