Action adventure films are designed to create an action-filled, energetic experience for the audience who can live vicariously through the exotic locations, conquests, explorations. struggles and situations that confront the main characters. The producers aim to please the audience by keeping them on the edge of their seat with a series of mind boggling chases and hair raising adventures that are historically inaccurate yet elementally possible.
Narrative
Narrative led films have different story arcs where the dialogue drives the plot rather than building character. An action adventure film is essentially one long quest with numerous different chase sequences, each one being more death defying and seemingly impossible than the one before. The producers aim to ramp up the tension as the film progresses to a storming end sequence. The producers aim for the audience to be positioned so they are thinking "will our hero make it, or will the evil antagonist get there first?" An action adventure film usually contains a strong story ark of a quest for treasure, or an incredibly valuable object, or an item which has occult power. Also it would usually contain a love interest that both hinders and support the main quest. There is usually a fast moving narrative with a constant set backs that are overcome; leading to fairly complex plots. Finally there is usually thrilling action where the protagonist saves his fellow travellers through a variety of non-realistic yet apparently logical escapades. Action and adventure genre derive their energy from being more exciting and a much more dangerous and adult versions of children's stories.
Characters and locations
The characters in action adventure genre are set in a stereotypical world of the not too distant past or future; or the fictional world of storybook adventures. The main protagonist is usually a recognisably normal guy, and who just has great endurance in the face of danger and who usually is extremely clever. There is usually a number of different characters who are known as the 'helpers'; these are usually a team of innocent characters who get caught up in the action. Humorous dialogue is usually used to create a characters persona and to diffuse frightening situations. The characters usually face a plot that takes them on twists and turns that often put them in mortal danger from an assortment of unusual animals, machines and monsters orchestrated by an evil antagonist. Exotic locations are used where the characters have to endure extreme climates as well as evil forces.
History
Action adventure stories have always been popular and the films share elements with other genres such as fantasy and sci-fi. The early action adventure films were adapted from novels where the genre originated such as 'The Three Musketeers'.
