An action movie consists of explosions, fights, crash sequences, stunt work, and the fate of the world at the hands of a heroic individual who is willing to do anything to fight an evil force. Classics like Fist of Fury, Aliens, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Bad Boys are all action movies.
The target audiences for these movies are teens and young adults ages 15-35, mostly males since they tend to contain more masculine ideas like physical strength, fights, and explosions. The typical audience tends to enjoy more fact-based, high-stakes films.
Content:
The most common theme developed in action is good vs evil. This theme usually includes a heroic protagonist or a group of heroes fighting against a villain or an evil force. For instance, the movie Die Hard. In it, John McClane (Bruce Wilis), battles a group of terrorists led by the villain Hans Gruber, who has taken hostages in a skyscraper. McClane, an off-duty cop, must take down Gruber and his crew to save the hostages and stop their evil plan. The good would be John McClane and the evil will be Hans Gruber and his group.
Most of the time there will be a heroic protagonist in action movies. This protagonist can have different personalities like the lone wolf who works by himself (James Bond), the supernatural heroes, who possess an abnormal ability like super strength (Superman and Hulk), and the technological heroes who rely on their technology to save the day (Iron Man). All of these types of protagonists share certain similarities though. The lead in action movies is most likely to be a male who is highly skilled, brilliant, part of an organization whether governmental or fictional, and who has a very clear idea of the good and the bad. The protagonist will need to solve a problem or go on a mission to fight a greater injustice against another group considered the villain.
Production Techniques:
Since these movies heavily rely on the plot and excitement of the story, they tend to be very quick and fast-paced. For example, in a fight scene, there will be quick cuts between shots to add intensity and build up tension during these moments. Additionally, loud sound effects like gunshots, punches, explosions, etc. are used to dramatize and make the scene come alive. For instance, in the movie Rocky II, the song Eye of the Tiger famously plays as Rocky fights Apollo Creed to reclaim his title. This song is now an iconic part of the movie and is still associated with it.
Another technique these movies use is CGI. They use this technology to develop things like huge armies during battles, creating creatures, adding speeding cars, and bullets, and creating fictional cities. These visuals help these movies be more visually captivating to the audience since they seamlessly blend real and digital elements together. In the movie Avatar CGI is used to create the mesmerizing and unreal look of the avatars.
Marketing:
When it comes to the trailers of these movies, directors opt for a fast-paced action pack (chase sequences and major fight moments) to draw the audience in. They introduce the threat and highlight the special effects and well-known actors in the film. Often, they will end on a cliffhanger to make the viewers want to see more.
In action films, the use of specific actors contributes to the marketing of these movies. For example, Sylvester Stallone is most known for his acting in his action films so by making him the lead the audience will associate his past performances in other action films with the new production creating more interest in the piece. Marketing teams use this to their advantage. They highlight famous action stars like Stallone to make the movie look even more exciting, attracting fans who already love his movies. It’s like a shortcut to get people interested because the actor’s name will tell people what kind of action they can expect.
Examples:
A film that embodies the action genre is "Mission: Impossible" In which IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is framed for the murder of his team during a mission gone wrong in Prague. To clear his name and find the real traitor, Hunt assembles a new team to infiltrate the CIA headquarters in Langley and steal a valuable list of undercover agents. He must overcome all the challenges he is opposed to to find the real traitor. The film has a high-stakes plot taking place in various locations around the world, which revolves around Hunt’s desperate quest to prove his innocence and prevent a catastrophic breach of intelligence. The gripping action sequences, such as the chase through the streets of Prague, keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Mixed with the iconic and recognizable theme song, which amplifies the tension and excitement.
The film Terminator revolves around a cyborg assassin, The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who is sent back in time from a dystopian future to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose future son will lead a resistance against machines. To protect her, the human soldier Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) is also sent back in time. This movie embodies the action genre with its high-stakes plot that revolves around the battle between humanity and machines. The film features intense action sequences, including explosive car chases, shootouts, and confrontations with the relentless cyborg, showcasing both physical prowess and technological menace. Its score, composed by Brad Fiedel, enhances the tension and urgency of the escape from the Terminator.