Genre ResearchAction Movies

By Tom Morran

Definition Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases. They occasionally have a resourceful character struggling against incredible odds such as, life-threatening situations, an evil villain, and/or being chased in several ways of transportation (car, bus, truck, etc.), with victory achieved at the end after difficult physical efforts and violence. Story and character development are generally secondary to explosions, fist fights, gunplay and car chases.

source: Wikipedia

Early Action Movies

During the 1920’s and 1930’s, action films were often “swashbuckling” adventure films. These were films that included some sort of sword fighting scene.

Modern swashbuckling films are films such as Legend of Zorro, Three Musketeers and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Early Action Movies

In the 1940’s and 50’s we saw action films in the form of war and cowboy movies.

A well known action/war film is ‘The Great Escape’ which starred Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, and a notable action/western film from the 1960’s is ‘The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, which starred Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach.

Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen was a actor, producer and race car driver.

He was most famous for films like The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape and Bullitt.

McQueen is a well known figure in pop culture, appearing on t-shirts and fans doing concept art of him.

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood, actor, director, producer and composer, is also a well known face in the western films of the 1960’s.

He is also known for playing Police Inspector Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry, a popular action movie in the 70’s.

“Bond Movies”

The 1960’s saw the arrival of “Bond Movies” which were characterised larger-than-life characters, such as the resourceful hero: a veritable "one-man army" who was able to dispatch villainous masterminds (and their disposable "henchmen") in ever-more creative ways, often followed by a ready one-liner.

The Bond films also utilized quick cutting, car chases, fist fights, a variety of weapons and "gadgets", and ever more elaborate action sequences.

Source WikiPeda

1970’s

In the 1970’s action films were getting more popular. Bond saw competition with the rise of Bullitt, The French Connection and Dirty Harry.

The 1970’s also saw the introduction of martial-art-themed-action movies introducing iconic actors such as Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, in films such as Enter the Dragon and A Force of One.

1980’s

This decade was quite literally the “action era” of movies. This took action movies to a whole new level, popularizing actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis.

Well known action movies that were made in the 80’s we films like The Terminator, Rambo: First Blood Part I & II, Die Hard, Predator, Alien and Indiana Jones 1, 2 and 3.

1990’s

The 90’s took a big leap in action movies. CGI was used to make fantasy become reality. Bigger budgets unlike never before were being used.

Tim Burton’s “Batman” led a string of financially successful sequels almost single handedly making a new sub-genre in the process; the comic-book movie.

Sub Genres – Action Comedy

A genre where action and comedy collide into one film. It became a trend in the 80’s.

They are generally light-hearted and rarely involve death or injury, and if it does it’s usually funny.

Examples of action comedies are Beverly Hills Cops, Rush Hour, Charlie's Angles and Blues Brothers.

Sub Genres – Die-hard scenarios

Usually a story that takes place in a limited location, for instance a building, plane or a ship. The location has been overrun by some sort of terrorist organization and one single hero comes in a saves the day, which usually has some sort of military experience.

Examples of Die-hard movies are Die Hard (obviously), Snakes on a Plane, Speed, Passenger 47, Derailed and Sudden Death.

Sub Genres - Disaster Film

Having elements of thriller, the main conflict is either a geophysical or hydro meteorological hazard e.g. A hurricane, volcanic eruption, floods, earthquakes or just total destruction general.

Example of disaster films are Independence Day, The day after Tomorrow, Armageddon, 2012, and Dante’s Peak.

Sub Genres - Sci-Fi Action Many Sci-Fi action movies

emphasizes gunplay, space battles, made up weaponry.

Examples of Sci-Fi action films are the Terminator series, The Matrix series, Total Recall, Star Trek, Aliens, Transformers, Robocop and Avatar.

Notable ActorsActors from the 1950’s and 60’s like John Wayne and Lee Marvin then gave the limelight to the 70’s movies which starred actors like Chuck Norris, Charles Bronson and Sonny Chiba.

Action film actors which were popular in the 80’s were gun wielding actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Steven Segal made a number a films and so did Bruce Willis in Die Hard.

Notable ActorsActors that were popular in the 90’s and the 2000’s were Asian actors such as Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat for movies such as Rush Hour and Hard Boiled.

Wesley Snipes and Vin Diesel also had a range of action movies like the Blade series and Fast and Furious series.

Notable Female actorsNot all films have to have a male as the lead role. Successful films such as Kill Bill series that starred Uma Thurman and Resident Evil series starring Milla Jovovich took on action movies at a different perspective.

Notable DirectorsFamous directors that made it successful on the the screen are ones like James Cameron who produced movies such as the first two Terminator films, Aliens and True Lies. John McTeirnan directed Hollywood blockbusters including movies like Die Hard, Predator and The Last Action Hero.Michael Bay known for his action packed films for instance Bad Boys, The Rock and the Transformers trilogy.

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