Article 1.A Why do you think action-adventure films are able to appeal so successfully to global audiences?

Action-adventure is probably the most popular genre in the world. Out of the 50 highest-grossing movies in the world, 34 are action-adventure, including Avatar (2009) the highest grossing film ever. Why is action adventure so appealing to audiences around the world?

·         Storylines

One of the most exciting elements of the Action Adventure genre is the storylines. The Heroes often have to accomplish a very difficult goal, with a large reward for success, and a large penalty for failure. Due to this, one of the most regularly-occurring scenarios in action-adventure films is the race-against-time (AKA the ticking clock), where the heroes have only a limited amount of time to achieve their goals. For example, in X-men: First Class (2011), the action takes place against the background of one of the most famous ticking-clock crises in history- The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. This adds extra appeal, because, whilst audiences generally know what happened then, they are interested in how it happens and how it affects the protagonists. The use of a globally-recognized incident allows audiences all over the world to wonder what they would have done in the main character’s situation, thereby involving them in the action, and appealing to audience need for identification with the characters.

·         Characters

Characters in the Action-Adventure genre are conceived to be recognizable and familiar. This leads to stereotyping, as audiences around the world can recognize stereotypes. The Hero is often an intelligent, strong and charming character, usually male. This appeals to male audiences, who aspire to be like them. A perfect example of an action-adventure hero who is Aspirational to audiences across the globe (Despite being quintessentially British) is James Bond. In Casino Royale (2006), at the end of the final scene, Bond is shown in LAS, cementing him as a strong and confident figure and therefore Aspirational to the genres target audience, wherever they come from

·         Locations and settings

Many Action-Adventure films employ exotic settings across the globe. These fulfil the audience needs for diversion- they can forget that they are in a mundane cinema in their mundane town- and surveillance- they want to learn more about these settings. However, action films do not always have to be set on planet Earth. From 1977, the Star wars series created an entire universe on screen, but the most popular film to do this is Avatar (2009). By setting the film on the fictional planet of Pandora, it sidestepped the common problem of some films in the genre only appealing to people in the countries where these films are set. Therefore, it could appeal to audiences around the world, especially those sick of endless American-set action films.

·         Conclusion

Despite the above factors, the central reason for Action-Adventure film’s global popularity is their blockbuster nature. The simple but enthralling ‘High-Concept’ plots and the lavish production values attract cinema goers everywhere, but films in the genre need good stories, characterization and settings as much as high budgets, stunt work, and CGI .