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Action Films have tremendous impact, continuous high energy, lots of stunts, possibly extended chase scenes, rescues, battles, fights, escapes, non-stop motion, spectacular rhythm and pacing, and adventurous heroes - all designed for pure audience escapism with the action sequences at the core of the film. Action films and adventure films have tremendous cross-over potential as film genres. Both types of films come in a variety of forms or genre-hybrids: sci-fi or space, thrillers, crime-drama, war, horror, etc. Oftentimes, action films are great box-office hits, but lack critical appeal.
The main action centers around an action hero - portrayed by these most prominent examples: Bruce Lee, Steven Seagal, Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Bruce Lee, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Chuck Norris, and Jean Claude Van Damme.
Always, however, they have a resourceful hero(ine) struggling against incredible odds or an evil villain, and/or trapped or chasing each other in various modes of transportation (bus, ship, train, plane, etc.), with victory or resolution attained by the end after strenuous physical feats (fist fights, gunplay). Action films have traditionally been aimed at male audiences, ages 13 to the mid-30s in both American and world-wide markets, although modern action films have featured strong female characters to broaden demographic appeal.
This film genre actually began with the silent era's serial films, and has remained strong throughout cinematic history. Action films then expanded in the 80s and 90s, with the growth of special effects techniques and in response to jaded audiences who demanded faster plots (coherent or not), greater violence, and stimulation.
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