Action films emerged in the 1960s inspired by James Bond films featuring car chases, fights, and weapons. In the following decades, the genre evolved to include war movies in the 1940s-50s, martial arts films in the 1970s, and increased CGI effects in the 1990s-2000s. Common action movie tropes include a heroic protagonist who defeats an antagonist through intense action scenes. The target audience is typically young adult males, though some superhero films appeal to both children and adults. Popular actors in the genre include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, and Vin Diesel.

1. Action Genre

2. Action Films?
American Sniper
Avengers assemble
Rush Hour Trilogy
Taken Trilogy
Fast & furious 6
Captain America
The Bourne Films
Amazing Spiderman
Dark Knight
Need for speed
300
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Terminator Godzilla
Incredible Hulk
World War Z

3. History?
1960s- James Bond films. This evolved action films & many
action films we see today are similar to the James Bond
films. These films used fast past editing, many car chases,
Fist Fights and the use of many different weapons. Also the
character James Bond is seen to be a ‘’One man Army’’
which many films use today for example The father in the
film Taken.
1920s & 1930s- The action was
often seen through sword
fighting by adventurous and
heroic characters. One actor in
this period was Douglas
Fairbanks.
1940s & 1950s-
The action was
seen through
cowboy & war
movies.
1970s saw the rise of detective, crime and cop movies
for example The French Connections 1971. Also the
1970s saw the rise of Martial Arts action movies in
the west such as Enter The Dragon which starred
Bruce Lee. The latter Stages of 1970s saw the rise of
Chuck Norris who merged Martial Arts with cops &
robbers to create an exciting new action hybrid genre.
1980s was when Action
Movies were the hot topic in
Hollywood with films like
First Blood, Raiders of the
Lost Ark and Die Hard.
1990- saw the rise of CGI
which added new
dimension, excitement and
new environment to action
movies.
2000’s- Action genre continued to
impress with films like Star Wars and
Dark Knight

4. Characters/Common Stars/Narrative
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Michelle Yeoh, Jackie Chan, Will Smith,
Jason Statham, Jet Li, Vin Diesel, Tony Jaa, Matt Damon & Milla Jovovich. These are actors &
actresses who have starred in many action movies.
There are many different character types in action movies although this does depend on the sub
genre of the film. Action films use fast pace editing and have multiple scenes showing action
whether its a car chase, killing zombies or a fist fight the action occurs very often throughout the
film. Every Action Film has main protagonist and this protagonist has many helpers who are
innocent but seem to get in the middle of the action. For example Vin diesel is the main
protagonist in fast and furious 6 and his helpers are Ludacris, Tyrese etc.
The Protagonist in action superhereo movies are normal human beings who happen to have or
obtain super powers for example spiderman, he gets bitten by a spider which gives him his
powers.
The protagonists and antaganists are usually larger then life and the narratives seem to be
unrealistic and throughout the film, one of the aims is to create an emotional attatchment to
the protagonist to sympathise for him/her, as this leads to happiness for the viewers at the end
of the film as so often the protagonist defeats the antagonist in action movies.
Action films aim to keep the audience entertained throughout using many action scenes
involving CGI, fast pace car chases, fights etc all these lead to the audience staying on the edge
of their seat throughout

5. Sub Genres
• Action comedy such as Rush hour, has action with humour
throughout.
• Action Thriller like Die Hard involve more Crime or Mystery
• Action Horror like resident evil – may involve gore, demons,
supernatural, Zombies, Vampires etc
• Martial Arts involves many fight scenes between characters,
this is where most of the action will be scene. E.g. Karate Kid
• Sci Fi Action involves battle in space etc, gunplay. Terminator 2
Judgement Day.
• Disaster Action, has bits of thriller & sci fi, the main source of
danger is usually from natural disasters such as a flood like in
the movie 2012.
• Superhero action films are probably the most successful, films
such as avengers assemble. Involves superhero saving the face
of mankind usually.
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6. Target Audience
Action movies are usually age certified for 12/15,
however depending on the violence, graphic
scenes and sexual scenes some are age certified
at 18. Many action films such as superhero
movies are targeted at not only young adults and
teens but also kids as after they watch it they
aspire to be like the superhero. Regarding male
and female both are targeted however I believe
male audiences are targeted more for certain
types of action films for example batman is
targeted more to males as they like to be the
alpha male. Some films are targeted more to
females for example if the lead actor/actress is
good looking in the eyes of females they’re more
likely to watch it, this is one way females are
targeted.