What element, in your opinion, is most crucial to a great movie?

There must be some kind of tension

It is boring to watch a movie where people just go about their daily lives. There must be something that they are striving for, something that they must overcome. Sometimes tension is very evident (such as a good drama), sometimes not so much. Even a good comedy has tension in it. Look at American Pie, will they lose their virginity by the time they graduate? Will be Beanie, Frank and Mitch be able to keep their fraternity in Old School?

Sometimes people get too caught up in dialogue and scenery and they just ignore the story. Good scenery enhances a good movie, it does not save a bad one. Legends of the Fall won an Academy Award for Cinematography. The story was lacking, overall not a good movie. It all boils down to what do the main characters want, and who or what stands in their way. If nothing is in their way and they just get whatever they want you have a pretty boring movie.

I agree with a few here. The most important element of any movie is a well-developed script. Without a good script, all of the elements you mention are worthless. Some of the best movies ever made are low-budget, meaning thay are often lacking in many of the areas you mention. But the writing makes the movie...

i'm undecided between the scenery and the acting. as someone who is interested in art and how films are put together, thats what i look at, but i think good acting is essential for a film to be good- unless its a cartoon in which case i'd obviously go for the visual elements. but actually, i think the crucial part is the storyline.

too many favourite movies but i like Tim Burton movies because of the way they look.

but then in other films such as the lord of the rings its the way its done to give excitement

and in comedy films its the dialogue..

argh! i guess it depends what kind of film you go for.

Great editing. Editing sets the pace, keeps the story moving, puts it all together. The editor is like a conductor, yes, he's not playing any of the instruments, but without him, it'd be a bunch of random noise.

There has to be a substantial plot. If there isn't a decent plot line, then it doesn't matter how good looking the actors are, or the scenery or the costumes.

Story.

A great screenplay can make up for even the worst acting and direction as long as it is presented clearly so the ausience can grasp it.

Films are all about STORY TELLING, and film making is team work. everyone who works on movie is as important. but if we consider all the things . i think SCREENPLAY is the most crucial thing. As i suggested in first line. its all about telling a story. Screenplay makes the story interesting, people love to watch things which are interesting. and then it doesnt matter if its a love story or action or drama, or thiller.

The most important element to me is a good script.

You can forgive a lot of things if the script is good.

Like a book . Interesting story and a writing style that captivates me.

Its the story and the idea behind the story that interest me.