The Action Genre - Famous Films, Sub-genres, Hybrids and Franchises

The action genre is extremely vast and has a wide range of sub-genres that when combined create exciting, enjoyable and unique films. Action hybrids started to gain popularity in the 1980s and this showed filmmakers that mixing genres could help keep the action genre innovative and fresh, while still utilising many of the conventions that audiences would expect from the genre. 

Famous examples of action hybrids include the 'Indiana Jones' franchise which are action-adventure films, blending exciting action sequences with treasure-hunting mysteries (the fourth film in the franchise even blends action with science-fiction). The mix of danger and suspense through the blending of genres makes it one of the most iconic action hybrids of all time. Sci-fi Actions are also a very popular hybrid, with 'The Matrix' being a great example. The film blends thrilling action sequences with a dystopian narrative about a world controlled by AI. 

By mixing genres together and creating hybrid films audiences become more engaged as it both plays on their genre familiarity whilst offering something new, fresh and unfamiliar, therefore enriching their experiences. Hybrids also broaden a films appeal, attracting a wider audience as fans of different genres are drawn to something unusual and new.

Common action hybrids and sub-genres include:

• Action-thriller
• Spy films
• Military-action 
• Action-comedies
• Historical-action/Epics
• Superhero-action
• Action-horror

The 'John Wick' Franchise is a good example of how producers include typical genre conventions throughout the films which audiences are familiar with, but also develop a character over multiple films to create a franchise that builds on the audience's connection with the character. 'John Wick' could be seen as an action-thriller as it contains the typical intense fight scenes, car chases and fast-paced action of the action genre whilst having suspenseful scenes and an aesthetic (through the film's low-key lighting, for example) which give the film a thrilling edge. John Wick is the main protagonist and goes through the films as the ‘hero’, seeking revenge (a typical theme of the genre); this is the most common character type in an action film therefore the franchise tries to closely follow the conventions so it’s easy for audiences to understand/fulfils their expectations and promises more of the same with each new sequel. The iconography of the films are typical of action films as John Wick always carries a gun which he relies on when he is in trouble. The use of dim, low-lighting creates a mysterious and unsettling tone for the audience, and therefore encourages the audience to question what will happen next (both within individual films, but also across the franchise). His sleek suit adds to the professional, stylish tone of the film as it emphasises to the audience that John Wick is good at what he does and wants to do it in a sophisticated way. Many of the settings in John Wick are typical of the genre - busy urban environments where the action scenes are fraught with danger (for the protagonist, but also civilians) Additionally, secretive locations are also common in 'John Wick' films, to add suspense to the film and to keep the audience on the edge of their seats as they witness thrilling and intense action. 

The 'Die Hard' franchise is also a good example of how producers follow the genre conventions of the action film - as they feature intense and thrilling scenes with a tough and resourceful protagonist who usually tackles tough situations independently - but also incorporate elements from the thriller genre. 'A Good Day to Die Hard', one of the later films in the franchise, could be seen as an action-thriller film. Guns and explosives are used frequently in these films as the characters are thrown into brutal shootouts. The main protagonist usually wears bloody and torn clothes which suggest to the audience that he has been in action already. The movies are usually set in high-stakes locations, such as airports or busy cities, to create a tense atmosphere and to keep the audience engaged throughout. The films often see the recurring themes of good vs evil and heroism as the main protagonist has to battler various ‘villains’ to protect innocent people. Finally, the 'Die Hard' franchise typically follows the three-act structure as the narrative revolves around the ‘heroes’ fight as he is usually positioned as unlikely to succeed however, as the narrative progresses we see him beat these odds and save many people.

In conclusion, action films typically follow the genre conventions that audiences would recognise and expect. From my research, I can easily identify these elements in popular action films as producers aim to create a familiar experience for audiences so they can enjoy the film more, even though the film may not be a typical action film but be a hybrid, or belong to a sub-genre instead. These hybrids are becoming increasingly popular as they attract a broader audience, and I have noticed an increase in the action-comedy hybrid or sub-genre in particular. I am considering creating the opening sequence of a film from the action-comedy genre - keeping many of the elements of the action genre but infusing the film with elements the audience are becoming familiar with from action-comedy hybrids. I will write a post on this sub-genre later, if I decide to move in this direction and create a film in the vein of 'True Lies', 'Fall Guy' and 'The Naked Gun'.