Action Films This presentation includes research on action films and the identifying traits of the genre.

Traits of Action films Action films usually include tremendous impact, continuous high energy, physical stunts and activity, extended chase scenes, races, rescues, battles, martial arts, destructive disasters (floods, explosions, natural disasters, fires etc.), fights, escapes, non-stop motion, spectacular rhythm and pacing and adventurous heroes. These features are used to provide a thrill for the audience that they would not receive from other genres of film.

Charlie’s Angels

This is a fight scene in Charlie’s Angels, this is a medium shot with mid key lighting, the setting appears to be in a hotel. The blood on the man’s face signifies blood. The female character is holding chains showing that she is strong. She kicks the man’s chin and from his facial expression the audience can see his pain, this shows the female character dominates him.

Charlie’s Angel’s is a 2000 American comedy film directed by McG. The film is about three women (Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore) working for a private investigation agency. The film is based on a television series with the same name from the late 1970s. However, unlike the television series the film is more comedic where the series appeared more dramatic.

This is an intense scene in the film where there has been an explosion and three other characters are very close to it. This shows how dangerous and spontaneous action films are.

This scene shows a trait of action films and it shows a stunt when one of the “angels” is fighting a man and she runs up the wall. Action films tend to include stunts that are physically impossible to build excitement

Laura Mulvey’s theory of “The Male Gaze” has been incorporated by the directors of this film. The theory is that audiences are meant to view women as heterosexual male and that the woman/women in subject are meant to be portrayed as desirable. This is shown in this picture of the female characters as they are posing in a desirable manner and the lighting is used to glorify their looks. Their black outfits are also used to highlight their body shapes.

Bad Boys 2

Bad Boys 2 is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Michael Bay. The film is the sequel to the 1995 film Bad Boys. The film stars Martin Lawrence and Will Smith who play detectives that are investing the flow of ecstasy into Miami.

This scene shows an intense shootout between the detectives and the criminals that they pursuit. It is set on a main road which shows how dangerous the situation in this scene is. Martin Lawrence aims and shoots a large automatic gun. This signifies violence and death.

Here is a fast paced chase scene in the film, this is used to give the audience a thrill and to generate excitement and anticipation.

Here is another fast motion shot of the detectives speeding in a chase, this is also used to build excitement and anticipation.

Bell Hooks’ theory is that women of light skin are seen as more desirable and fit into the western ideology of beauty. It may not have been an intentional decision made by directors but the main female character that assists Smith and Lawrence in the film is white. This could be Hook’s theory in action. She is dressed in a desirable manner and the men in the scene are physically attracted to her, this can be seen in their facial expressions of smiling.

Casino Royale

Casino Royale is a 2006 film, it is the twenty-first film in the James Bond film series and the first to star British actor, Daniel Craig as the fictional M16 agent James Bond. Casino Royale is set at the beginning of Bond’s career as Agent 007, just as he is earning his license to kill.

This scene shows Bond brandishing a large, black gun. This shows the audience the violent nature of the film, however Bond looks calmly at his iPhone in another hand. This could mean that Bond is the protagonist that has to fight against evil in the film.

This scene shows Bond tied to a chair, being held against his will by the villain in the film. Bond is bleeding and sweating so the audience can see he has a dilemma to overcome at this point. He is visibly angry and frustrated which could suggest this may be a challenging situation.

This scene is less intense than the other Casino Royale scenes. however, it is still interesting as everyone in the room is focused on the poker game and what it entails. One of the women in the background has her palms together in a praying motion as if the outcome of the game will have a significant impact in the film and she is hoping for the best. This builds up anticipation.

Levi Strauss’ Binary Opposites theory is that narratives are based upon opposites such as good vs. evil, young vs. old, black vs. white e.g. This theory is arguable true as it is seen in films from various genres. This can be seen in Casino Royale as James Bond is the hero that goes against the chilling villain, Le Chiffre. The villain has a scar on his eye which makes him look threatening and menacing. He also has an accent and he falls into stereotype of how foreign people are represented in British film.