Article 1B to what extent would you agree that A-A relies too heavily on stereotypes?

Audiences for Action-Adventure expect stock characters to have particular traits so that they can easily be identified as such. However, critics of the genre believe that this leads to stereotypical characters who are simplistic and underdeveloped, such as the Damsel-in Distress who spends the whole film getting into danger, running, and Screaming, such as Mary Jane in the Spiderman films. I am going to discuss the opinions for and against the claim that stereotypes are overused in the genre

FOR

Stereotypes are used in Action-Adventure as a shorthand for audiences around the world to recognise certain characters. For example, James Bond is recognisable to audiences all around the world as a stereotypical image of a British secret agent: Suave, strong and intelligent, in a tuxedo and drinking a "Shaken, not Stirred" martini. This familiarity appeals to audiences who aren't just British, because Bond, although a British stereotype, isn't built on stereotypes that only British people would understand, but on ones that have a universal appeal.Other Prince characters in the genre are also Stereotyped, because they are designed to be aspirational 'Alpha Males' for the audience to look up to

Another stock character who is frequently made into a stereotype is the princess. Because the action-adventure Genre is targeted at men, the female 'Princess' characters are usually sexualised and often need rescuing by the prince. As mentioned earlier, Spiderman's girlfriend, Mary Jane, is a perfect example of this, needing to be rescued by him frequently throughout the series. Women are often stereotyped in the genre because they are used to highlight the hero as even more aspirational as he almost always gets the beautiful girl in the end.

AGAINST

Since the rise of feminism in the 60's and 70's the number of stronger female characters in the genre has increased. This started with stronger princess characters, such as Princess Leia in Star Wars, and has led to female 'Prince' Characters, such as Ellen Ripley from the Alien series, and Lara Croft. However, probably the best examples of female protagonists in the genre are The titular heroines of 'Charlies Angels' (2000). In the film (based on the groundbreaking 70's TV show of the same name) the Angels are strong, smart and beautiful. This broadens the appeal of the genre, as both men and women are interested in these characters. the women want to be like them, the men want to be with them.

Furthermore, contemporary society has lost interest in the ultra-heroic prince, and embraced a new type of protagonist- the Anti-Hero, characters like Batman or Jason Bourne who are not conventional heroes, but are ordinary people who are at times reluctant to be a hero. Probably one of the most popular anti-heroes in the genre is Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series (2003+). He is a pirate (pirates are often villains in this genre) and a drinker, who would rather run away from a battle than fight it. However, when the need arises, he can be a brave and competent hero.

CONCLUSION

So,has the Action-Adventure genre really shook off those old fashioned stereotypes? Well, to an extent, yes. But it's also worth noting that stereotypes are never concrete and therefore change over time. The strong, sexualised Action Girl and the morally ambiguous antihero are fast becoming updated stereotypes due to their increasing use. action-adventure filmmakers can play with and change stereotypes, but they will never be able to get rid of them completely.