Genre: Action

Action 

An action film is usually based around a group of people who are facing challenges or an individual. Action films stereotypically involves chase scenes, guns, explosions, fighting, threatening situations and an evil villain. This genre allows the audience to view the storyline through fights and car chases and creates a lot of tension throughout.

An example of an action film is...

This action film has the story line of a detective who has encountered some terrorists, and must take on this group during a heist, whilst they hold his wife hostage.

 

This trailer demonstrates the key signifiers of an action film of guns, explosions, fighting etc. Gender is also represented in this trailer, through the casting of the hero who is seen to have a low voice, tough exterior and a casual dress sense, which implies masculinity. The women's sexuality is implied through the leather one piece as she strips down to only her bra, also presenting vunerability. The music has a lively tempo in high energy situations which contribute to the action and drama.  At the beginning of the trailer there is only the diegetic sound of a helicopter with humming tones and beats throughout,  which raises in pitch giving off tension and anticipation. The diegetic sounds regularly show gun shots, the sound of explosions and helicopters merging the key themes in an action movie. In contrast there is a gospel choir singing which is played loudly and dramatically and speeds up towards the end with an orchestra, emphasising the lively and chaotic atmoshpere. Editing is also seen in sparks, explosions and a smoke which all contribute to the exhilarating and eye catching movement. There is a lot of unsteady movement in the camera work which indicates the fast paced and lively atmosphere of the film. The lighting presents a lot of night time shots and dark surroundings which add to the mystery and contrast the bold and bright explosions of yellow and orange fire. Bold titles are also shown during the trailer which is seen in action films, as it gives a bold entrance to the film.

Some more examples of action films are...

From the first glance of these films the audience can see the different codes and conventions typical to an action movie. A main theme colour which is presented in most action films are black and red, signifying danger, death and destruction.

In this film clip we can see masculinity plays a major role in action films, as heroes are presented to be muscular and attractive. It is seen that they wear leather jackets which presents dominance and vests to draw the attention to their body. It is also portrayed through them having a deep and low voice, and taking control of the situations. Women are also contrasted in this film clip through what they are wearing in one scene, compromising of shorts skirts and strappy tops, again exposing vulnerable sexuality, further implying women as 'sex objects'.





The Feminist Theory

The feminist film theory has been used to analyse action movies. The separation between the physical male, who controls the scene and the gaze, and the female, who is almost always the object of the gaze, is very clear in most such films. Although female characters in most action films are nothing more than objects, a prize for the winner, hostages and the loving wives. There has been a move towards stronger female characters such as those in works by James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow, moving towards "girl power"-style feminine empowerment (e.g. Charlie's Angels), in place of the traditional "damsel in distress".

(For example, Ghost Rider and Doomsday)







(For example, Dumb & Dumber and Big Momma's House)






(For example, The Matrix and District 9)










Due to the development of technology, the audience can view special effects which are common in a lot of action movies. An example of these special effects is in 'Death Race'  

(Trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU4TUCh-HwE)

These special effects create an illusion for the audience which grips their attention and creates tension in the way it is presented.