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