Action Movies, Am I Right?
Action movies. There always seems to be at least one in theaters at any given time (often way more than one). These kinds of movies seem to be extremely popular both in terms of critical review and box office performance. According to https://www.the-numbers.com/market/2019/top-grossing-movies , 3 out of the 10 highest-grossing movies of 2019 were actions movies. Those being Avengers: Endgame (1st place), Captain Marvel (5th place), and Spider-Man: Far From Home (7th place). As of now in 2021, 7 out of the 10 highest-grossing movies this year are action movies. They are Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (1st place), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2nd place), Black Widow (3rd place), F9: The Fast Saga (4th place), No Time to Die (6th place), Free Guy (7th place), and Godzilla vs. Kong (9th place) according to https://www.the-numbers.com/market/2021/top-grossing-movies. So, why are these movies so popular? Let's find out.
Content:
Almost every single action movie has a protagonist that either voluntarily or involuntarily finds themselves in a conflict they need to resolve. These conflicts often include scenarios such as car chases, fights, shootouts, and extreme stunts. Some of these tropes have become associated with the movies that feature them. Car chases are almost synonymous with the Fast and Furious franchise. Such movies that feature car chases are the aforementioned Fast and Furious series, Baby Driver (2017), Bullitt (1968), and Mad Max (1979).
What about fights? Many of the greatest action films ever have some of the best-choreographed fight scenes in history. Many films also incorporate mystical or supernatural elements into their fights. Movies known for their fights are Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), John Wick (2014), and Gladiator (2000).
In today's times, many films are trading fistfights for guns. Shootouts are often easier to choreograph and typically require fewer stunt doubles as the guns used fire blanks. Some well-known shootouts are found in movies such as John Wick (again), The Matrix (1999), and Bad Boys (1995).
Now. For what is found universally in all action films. The stunts. These stunts are often some of the most iconic scenes of the movie or character. From Captain America bicep curling a fleeing helicopter in Captain America: Civil War (2016) to the Poo Cocktail from Jackass 3D (2010), the action genre is never short on stunts. Some stunts get into the film on accident. In Nightcrawler (2014), a police car hits another car and skids down the road on its side leaving a trail of sparks in its wake. However, the filmmakers originally wanted the car to just spin into another lane and out of view. Some of the best stunts out there are in movies like Mission: Impossible (1996), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and The Dark Knight (2008).
Production Techniques:
When watching a movie, it's normally quite obvious what genre it is. Action movies are no different. Action movies will often have a loud, arousing score or song playing during scenes of action. Many different sound effects are used for things such as gunfire and explosions. Sometimes, the music can start off slow and then break into a fast-paced part. The villain of an action movie normally has a separate theme from the hero. This theme will often play whenever the villain makes an entrance or is on screen. This is seen through the Prowler in Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (2018).
Action movies are also known for using extensive computer-generated images or CGI. It has made creating scenes and stunts way easier for producers to make crazy stunts and scenarios without putting their actors in danger. The Marvel cinematic universe is known well for its use of CGI for characters and stunts. The series' big bad Thanos (Josh Brolin) is created by Josh Brolin using a motion-tracking suit that translates his movements onto a 3D rendered model of Thanos. The best CGI in the MCU however, is obviously found in Doctor Strange (2016). In it, arrogant neurosurgeon Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has his hands rendered useless due to a high-speed car accident. Strange seeks healing through the Mystic Arts and ends up saving the world from destruction while learning several magical techniques along the way. CGI is heavily used in everything in this film. From the sling-ring portals to the mind-bending reality warping of Manhattan, Doctor Strange boasts some of the best CGI ever.
Now, for something we all love and hate about action movies. The story never seems to settle. In the words of Jedi Master Yoda, "There is another..." I'm referring to sequels. Movie studios intentionally make action movies have a cliffhanger or unresolved ending to leave the door open for making a sequel. This entices viewers to come back and see the sequel because they are now invested in seeing how the story resolves.
Target Audience:
Most action films are geared toward males ages 16-30. This may be because of the fast-paced scenes, which may be hard to follow for older people or the sexual content associated with movies such as James Bond. It may also be because most action movies feature a male in the lead role. In recent years, however, more females are appearing in lead roles of action movies to draw in more female viewership.
Action Movies to Check Out:
James Bond (movie series)
The Matrix
Die Hard (movie series)
Mission Impossible (movie series)
Jason Bourne (movie series)
John Wick (movie series)
Marvel Cinematic Universe (movie series)
Fast and Furious (movie series)
Planet of the Apes by Tim Burton (movie series)
Baby Driver
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Blade Runner (movie series)
Indiana Jones (movie series)
Rambo (movie series)
Robocop
Terminator (movie series)
Gladiator
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