Not quite the level of the Sims franchise, but still a very engaging game.
For the record, while I very much am enjoying the game, I do not utilize the movie making functionality of the software. I stick to the tycoon game. So, just how great is the tycoon game? Well, that's what I'm here to tell you!
The gameplay is pretty straightforward. Most everything is easy to figure out, although I do have some issues with some of the game issues and there's one EXTREMELY annoying interface issue. Deleting a building is more complicated than it needs to be. You have to pick up a builder at which point a bomb icon will attach to the building. You then have to drop your worker onto the icon. A bulldozer icon (or even a bomb, if they prefer) in the building selector tab would have been more welcome. Another problem is the fact that it takes so long to build relationships between stars and you have to baby sit them while they are improving their friendship. The same goes for trying to improve your stars' physique. I never noticed a difference after repeatedly forcing them to lift weights, so I ended up just giving them liposuctions. Also, grass on your lot is constantly dying, no matter how well-kept your grounds are. This means that you are always replanting. To add insult to injury, the game will charge you money on grass even if the grass unerneath it is healthy. This means you have to be fairly precise if you don't want to waste cash - no clicking and dragging massive amounts of acreage. A little less micromanagement would have worked nicely.
The graphics are serviceable. They aren't anything spectacular, but they get the job done. The sets are nice, and movies turn out well.
The sound is good, for the most part. Music and sound affects are well done, but I have an issue with the "simlish" they have. It's monotonous and almost dead feeling. In the Sims franchise, who first started using "simlish", there are different phrases that you can, after playing a while, recognize and figure out what the "translation" is. Not so with The Movies. They all say the exact phrase over and over again. And that phrase has no distinguishable "words" - it sounds like the voice actors have a mouthful of marbles! "Mumble mumble, mumble mumble mumble."
I picked my copy up for $29.99 and have enjoyed it a lot, so the value is very good. I think the game could have been a lot better, but it still is a pleasant way to spend an evening. I'm sure if you enjoy movie making it will be an even more attractive addition to your collection.