How is it Action?
Action is a genre that is very fast paced and includes a lot of action such as fight scenes and chase scenes. These type of films may include a superheroes, sword fights, martial arts, explosions or exciting stunts. Action movies are meant to be thrilling and exciting for the audience to watch. The target audience for action films tend to be around 16-25 years old due to the fast paced scenes and violence induced content.
Content:
Action films usually revolve around a main protagonist that serves as a "hero" figure. The protagonist is faced against incredible odds such as life threatening situations, a villain or journey that usually ends with the "hero" being victorious.
EX: In Quentin Tarantino's film, "Kill Bill: Volume 1", Beatrix has a sword fight with the Yakuza while looking for revenge against a team of assassins who attempted to murder her
Action films also tend to have a revenge or vengeance plot. The cause for revenge or vengeance is usually caused off one single event that propels the protagonist to seek revenge. The event may be the harm of the protagonist or their loved ones.
The film John Wick uses the killing of his puppy as his motive for seeking revenge against the perpetrators who killed it
All action films contain fight scenes or chases between the protagonists and the villains. Chase scenes may include boat chases, car chases and plane chases. These scenes typically have fast editing between clips, causing the audience to feel thrilled. Fight scenes are also very exciting, but are very complex to film. Sometimes, films may use stunt stun professionals to perform the action to avoid injuring the actor.
EX: In Bad Boys 2, Mike Lowry and Lawrence Burnett chase down ecstasy traffickers in a Ferrari.
Action movies always have final showdowns between the villains and the hero. These final showdowns usually are the most elaborate scenes in a production. These scenes can be very long and drama induced.
EX: In Avengers:Endgame, the Avengers and their allies have a final battle between Thanos and his army
Production Techniques
Throughout production tone is used to set the mood and atmosphere of a scene. Dark tone of an action film may indicate seriousness or sadness in a scene while a lighter tone may be perceived as happy. Tone is important because it tells the audience how to feel when watching a scene.
EX: In Batman v Superman:Dawn of Justice, a dark tone is used to indicate to serious tension between the two characters
Sound is also prominent in action films. The use of sound indicates mood and emphasis what is on the screen. Loud music is tended to be used in action films because it invokes the thrilled emotions of a fight scene. Silence can also be very powerful in a scene to signify tension.
EX: In Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, loud music is played during the final fight scene between Obi-Wan and Anakin
Marketing
The audience of Action films usually consists of 16-25 years old. This is due to the violent content and fast paced scenes of an action film. Marketing tends to consist of TV advertising and trailers. Loud/rousing music may be played to attract attention and appeal towards the audience of the film. When it comes to the poster of the film, close ups of main characters and villains may be presented. The characters tend to be around each other and includes important images of the film to symbolize something.
EX: In Infinity war, the main characters of the film are around each other
Samples:
The film No Time To Die (2021) is one of the many James Bond films featuring Daniel Craig playing James Bond. While in Italy, he visits Vespers grave (ex lover) when he is attacked by a group of people. He is asked to do one final mission to save a kidnapped scientist and agrees. He later finds out the harmful things the scientist has created and tries to prevent him from killing millions of people. The action film uses multiple car chasing scenes, fighting scenes, and martial arts scenes. A dark tone is used to set a serious tone while filming. Loud music is played to be heart thrilling and interest the audience. The poster casts James Bond with "7" in the background, signifying his role as 007. The black and white color of the poster signifies a more mature and sophisticated atmosphere. Bond has a serious facial expression, fully exemplifying the seriousness of the film.
Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings(2021) is a marvel movie featuring Shang Chi as the super hero. He was raised to be an assassin by his father and left to America hoping to escape his past. He is later fought while going to work and goes back to China to visit his younger sister after receiving a note. Shang Chi and his sister were kidnapped by their father and they must escape to prevent their father from destroying their mothers home world. The film uses many martial arts skills and fight scenes during the production. Loud music is played to add to the heart thrilling fight scenes and entertain the audience. The poster casts Shang chi and other main characters of the film. The characters have a serious face to add to the serious tone of the film. It also includes the fighting between Sang Chi and his father. Important scenes are also added in the poster to symbolize the build up and development of Shang Chi.
Some Action Films to Consider:
