Action

Action can be described as doing something in a fast-paced manner. Action is one of the most popular genres of film for audiences to see, and is relatively new, surfacing for the first time around the 1970s. Action films are usually released during the summer when everyone is looking for something exciting to see with friends in the theatres. Studios also tend to release bigger budget films, like action films, during these months so that more people are able to see them.

Content of Action Movies

Action movies are known for having many colorful explosions, special effects, chase, and fight scenes. These events usually take place multiple times throughout the running of the movie and are usually extremely overexaggerated.

Ex: The clip of the film Mad Max: Fury Road shows a huge explosion during an intense fight scene

Any action movie is suspenseful and exciting. Action movie fans do not run to see an action movie if they know it does not have these two important factors. The goal of most action movies is to leave the viewers excited and full of energy. Action movies can be located in a variety of places, but generally take place on Earth, in order to keep a sense of reality with the crazy explosions and fight scenes that are taking place. However, although outlandish, these movies do very well at the box office. For example, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight made about $1 billion at the box office.

Recurring character tropes also exist heavily within the action genre. For example, tropes like invincible heroes, race against the clock, and when enemies attack the protagonist(s) one by one. When you walk into a theatre and notice these stakes are on-screen, there is a good chance you are viewing an action movie. Additionally, action movies often end with the success of the main character on their mission/journey, possibly to counteract some of the violence previously shown. Though it is obvious that people keep coming back to watch the genre because it consistently does well at the box office.

Techniques Used in Action

Action movies have a very distinct look to them. Whether it be the special effects, big explosions, bright colors, or drawn-out and complicated fight choreography. One thing that most viewers don't pay much attention to is how this look is achieved.

One film technique that action movies seem to use frequently are establishing shots. These shots give the viewers context to the setting that the character is moving into, and are usually used when a character is venturing into a new area that the directors want to make clear, may be dangerous. Additionally, dramatic close-ups are also used to show the audience the emotions on the face of the protagonist or to show what the character is doing specifically in a fight or chase scene.

Ex: Establishing shot from the movie Fast & Furious.

Another technique that action movies utilize is sound. The scores of these movies often help to build the suspense and pressure as a character is fighting for their life, or for someone/something that is important to them. Color is also very important in these films. Bright colors are often used when major action scenes are happening. The occasional special effect can also make its way on-screen during action movies, to either make the villain seem more intimidating or make the protagonist seem much more powerful than the rest.

How is Action Marketed?

The audience of action films ranges, but its main audience usually consists of people from the ages of 14-35, and the occasional violence and gore make it more geared towards men, although it is a popular genre with both genders.

Action movie posters are either loud in color or muted in color, and they include usually include blood or an explosion in the background. Most posters have an orange hue that matches with said explosion and the main characters usually hold some kind of weapon. At least some of the supporting cast is usually featured in these posters. Additionally, teasers of the movie usually include segments of the largest explosion and important dialogue to give the audience an idea of what will be happening in the movie.

Samples of Action

The movie, No Time to Die (2021), directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga is part of the James Bond series. The movie begins with a flashback, and Bond (Daniel Craig) having to escape assassins in Jamaica, in a car chase. The events of this movie start 5 years after the events of the previous movie, Spectre. When Bond is approached by his trusted ally, Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) about a new case because of a new enemy, Safin (Rami Malek). Throughout the course of the movie, Bond is involved in many fights, and there are even explosions, an action movie staple. This movie embodies all of the aspects of action because of its quick cuts and fights throughout.

The film Bullet Train (2022) is about an assassin, Ladybug (Brad Pitt), who is assigned by his supervisor to board a bullet train in Japan to replace another assassin. His job was to find a briefcase and get off. But he encounters that there happen to be other assassins on the train with him, all having the same goal of getting the briefcase. This movie is extremely vibrant, violent, and action-filled with constant fighting in closed spaces between the agents. The movie also utilizes vibrant colors, quick cuts, and many weapons proving to be a perfect candidate for an action movie.