Action/
Adventure
Genre
• The action or
adventure genre
features a hero that
is thrown into a
series of challenges
that require some
typical elements:
– physical feats
– extended fights
– heart-pumping
chases (involving
cars, motorbikes,
trucks, buses, etc.)
Action/Adventure also includes:
– A resourceful hero struggling against
incredible odds (eg. fights, gunplay, chases,
explosions, etc.)
– An evil villain
– Plot (action) as a key element
– Character development as generally a
secondary element
Sub-genres
• Action (eg. Indiana Jones)
• Conspiracy/political intrigue (The Da Vinci
Code, Pelican Brief)
• Dark thriller (Silence of the Lambs)
• Disaster (Perfect Storm)
• Eco-thriller (The Day after Tomorrow)
• Espionage (James Bond)
• Historical (300, Saving Private Ryan)
More sub-genres
•
•
•
•
Medical (Outbreak)
Military (Behind Enemy Lines)
Psychological (Flight 183)
Superhero (Batman, Spiderman,
Superman)
• Technological (Hunt for the Red October,
Jurassic Park)
Hero Archetypes
The Swordsman
• With Sword in hand
this archetype saves
the world, or damsel
in distress
• Zorro
• Robin Hood
• Prince of Persia
The Commando
• muscular and
savage they carry
equally big man
guns and knives.
• Rambo
• Commando
• The Expendables
The Cop
• A cop who has a
problem with authority
• He may or may not
have a 'buddy’(or
sidekick) with whom
much humour will be
generated.
• The cop is never in
uniform
• Die Hard
• Lethal Weapon
The Epic Leader
• The epic leader is a
character in a
period piece who
commands a
massive army.
• he almost always
dies at the end of
the film
• Braveheart
• Gladiator
The Superhero
• An accident that would leave
most people dead or mildly ill
somehow bestows great power
upon a mild mannered nobody
transforming them into a force
for good.
• Morally good
• Usually their parent(s) have
died
• Spiderman
• Batman
• Iron Man
• Superman
• Kick Ass
The Adventurer
• Guy/Girl who saves
the day by travelling
across far and
uncharted lands,
possibly racing for a
rare artifact
• A traditional hero
• Lara Croft
• Indiana Jones
• DaVinci Code
• The Mummy
The Spy
• Tough and often
times suave
• Skilled to kill and
often does without
being punished
• James Bond
• Jason Bourne
• Mr. and Mrs. Black
The Cowboy
• An anti hero, gruff
and stern
• Another one who
doesn't talk much
• He is a loner
wandering the
deserts, probably
friends with the
Natives
• John Wayne
• The Man with no
name
• Jonah Hex
The Anti-Hero
• With a dark past and
probably a few
scars.
• This hero will do
whatever it takes to
get the job done
• No Country for Old
Men
• Blood Diamond
• Pirates of the
Caribbean
Other Archetypes
•
•
•
•
Arch-enemy
The Confidante/Sidekick
Authority Figures
Love interest
Also,
• Exotic Settings
• Themes