Action movies are the kind of movie we try to keep to ourselves when someone asks about our favorite kind of movie genre. There’s an element of the absurd involved in these movies that no one really wants to admit because we want others to take us seriously. Still, there’s something about these blockbusters that draws many of us to theaters around the world, so there has to be something that almost makes us drool when a new action flick hits the big screen.
It’s time we admit that we love these movies and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. They touch a very elemental part of our being, and it’s about time we recognized this genre. It has to be said, though, that the real shame has to do with so many bad action movies out there. These tend to be the ones that draw the ire of moviegoers.
Well, movie buffs or not, we like our action movies, but some standards must be met so as not to damage the genre further. As such, here are five qualities that are essential:
1. A real plot: This seems like a 101 movie, but you’d be surprised how many action movies tend to meander between poor scripts and languid characters. For an action movie to be even tolerable, it needs to move through a standard plot, something most high school English learners know pretty well.
2. Stunts, stunts, and stunts: What action-packed adventure would be complete without an end-credits stunt list twice as long as the actual movie cast? Stunts are what make up the action in action movies. Sure, a well-placed play on words can make someone throw a punch, but it’s not the same thing.
3. Betrayal: If someone is stabbed in the back, literally or figuratively, there is sure to be some level of revenge, and with it there will be plenty of action sequences that will get your heart racing and blood pumping.
4. Multiple love interests: The action hero always seems to win the girl. One is the necessary love that is involved in an important plot. The other turns out to be the girl on the bad guys’ side. She has a heart of gold, but she was lured into a life of crime. Both tug at the heartstrings of the hero, but only one will make it to the end of the film.
5. A Hero Who’s A Wordsmith – Nothing, but nothing, comes close to being an essential quality of an action movie than the hero with a witty way of speaking. Sometimes a well-placed knife on an enemy or a passionate embrace with a pretty girl can only be punctuated by a one-liner.