Action Genre Post

Action Genre Post

The action film genre consists of high-energy scenes that include dangerous physical stunts, chases, fight/combat scenes, and explosions. Commonly, for superhero movies, the plot follows a protagonist who is attractive, muscular, and has an agenda to save someone or something.

Ex: Spider-Man (2002)

Action films are a very broad and general term that describes a type of film. Many people of all ages consume action films, but more specifically, Superhero films are usually geared to be consumed by young adults and teenagers (ages 13-35). Originally the appeal for Action and superhero movies was for men and boys, but more recently, with the rise of women getting big roles as superheroes in mainstream movies, the audience and market has broadened.

Ex: Tomb Raider contains a female lead. (2018)

Content:

As I lightly covered before, Action films commonly follow a "classic hero's journey", where a protagonist has to go through a long process where they grow, learn, and develop into what they need to ultimately become to defeat the "bad guy" or antagonist. This usually comes at a personal cost, whether that be losing a family member or friends. Within this archetype, the main protagonist usually feels a strong sense of justice, whilst the main antagonist embodies a very clear objective for evil. Because of this, it is easy for the audience to decipher which character is good or bad, in turn, making it easy for them to choose a character to get behind and cheer.

Covering the production aspect, Action films usually contain high-intensity action scenes that include hand-to-hand combat, chases, explosions, and large battles. Moreover, there are commonly special effects/CGI for character's abilities and or explosions within the movie.

Characters are usually heavily branded to become recognizable easily, with symbols or logos. In addition, it isn't rare to see cross-media marketing for the main characters of the movie. Which includes toys, appeal, and video games. Also, studios create franchises with multiple sequels, spinoffs, and even interconnected universes to encourage long-term audience engagement.

Ex. of cross-media marketing (superman)

Samples:

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

This movie follows common rules of action movies, one being high-intensity action sequences. Fury Road has relentless action, with nearly the entire movie consisting of a high-speed desert chase. The film starts with an intense escape sequence and doesn't slow down. It also has an abundance of stunts and practical effects. The director, George Miller emphasized real stunts to be included as much as possible during production. It is this commitment to the aspect of realism that sets this movie apart from other action films and makes it so enjoyable. The movie consists of saturated colors and dynamic camera angles that create a run-down and dystopian aesthetic. The story centers on a simple goal, freedom from an oppressive ruler and survival in a harsh desert. This helps the audience grasp the concept and not get lost through all the action. Fury Road embodies the characteristics of an action movie and is a film with non-stop action.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

John Wick (2014)

This film is known for its combat and choreography, more specifically its "gun-fu". This is a term to describe the martial arts style that is a blend of martial arts with firearm combat, which is a signature of the John Wick franchise. Furthermore, this film uses precise camera tracking to keep up with the fast-paced combat scenes. This includes long takes and minimal cuts, which adds a sense of realism to the film. The film also follows the story of a character who went through tremendous personal loss and is trying to avenge his loved ones. Because of this, the audience can easily cheer for the protagonist. Finally, John Wick employees a neon-lit aesthetic that makes it visually unique in comparison to other movies. The John Wick movie merges combat choreography with a revenge story that creates a unique experience for the audience.

List of other movies:

Die Hard (1988)

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Bourne Identity (2002)

Gladiator (2000)

Lethal weapon (1987)

Mission: Impossible (1987)