We all know Hollywood just loves to throw stereotypes at us, as long as they bring loads of cash into those big studios’ pockets.We also know the most used vehicle for said stereotypes is action (well, technically, it’s comedy, but for the purpose of this article we’ll all come to terms that it is in fact action-and by “all” I mean myself).Now, there are some who argue that action movies don’t work without throwing in the deja vu creating elements of the action genre, yet somehow it all seems to repeat itself again and again(kind of like Bill Murray’s day in Groundhog Day, without the humor) to the point we’re able to recognize a cliche from miles away.Well here are some of the most used ingredients in action movies:
10.Girls like bad boys
Sure, the hero always gets the girl in the end, but, in most cases, the villain is
surrounded by female eye-candy.Of course, some might argue that the hero has moral values and to him a serious relationship to a beautiful girl(funny how most of the times the girls don’t stick around for sequels) is above sexual fantasies that include multiple women ready to obey your every command.And the target audience of such movies might agree with that point of view, if most of it wasn’t composed of males.
Related Quote:”The sky is blue, water is wet, women have secrets. “-The Last Boy Scout
9.You don’t have to be on the bomb squad to defuse a bomb
Everybody knows that when there’s only a couple of seconds until detonation you only have to cut the red wire, and the bomb’s ticker will stop at 1 second.Or was it the green wire?It doesn’t matter, the point is, explosives expert or not, you can defuse any bomb with the conveniently placed nearby wire-cutter.
Related Quote:”Jesus. Bob, what button did you push?“-Speed
8.If you get fired, you have nothing to worry about
As long as you’re a cop.Because, let’s be honest, for the police force, being fired is an everyday thing, especially if you don’t play by the book.The important thing is to continue working on the case, despite it being against the law.Everything will be forgiven once you caught/blew up/killed the villain.More so, you’ll even end up getting a medal from the mayor, and your boss will have to swallow his pride and apologize.
Related Quote:”You’re fired!“-Donald Trump(oops)
7.If you’re a cop, you’re allowed to do anything
You, being the hero, can chase the bad guy on the street, hitting people left and right, you can “borrow”, and destroy(if necessary) civilian bikes, cars, yachts, phones, you can basically commandeer their clothes if you feel like it.You can break doors, windows, blow up buildings, the mailbox means nothing to you.It doesn’t matter that in the end you’ll be charged with all the damages, since by then you will have caught the bad guy.
Related Quote:”I know, I know, it sounds crazy. Trust me, I’ve been doing it for nine years. Yes sir, better than a shower and a hot cop of coffee.”-Die Hard
6.The hero is invincible
Doesn’t matter how many punches you take, how many roundhouse kicks to the face, how many cuts or bullets.You’ll still manage to defeat your opponent, who is, otherwise, in perfect physical condition.It doesn’t matter he’s an expert in martial arts and your only contact with what the Chinese call “nunchaku” was a humiliating kick in the nuts while practicing, you’ll still kick ass.
Related Quote:”Yippie-kay-yay motherfucker !“-Die Hard
5.Though having a far superior IQ, villains always make mistakes
Whether he’s dealing with a genius, or just that boy who’s always been better than him in school, the hero will prevail.Because, let’s face it, in real life, it’s not the intelligent that win.More so, another lesson we can draw is:if you’re european, intelligent, and in the U.S., you stand quite a chance to find your self on the wrong side of the law.
Related Quote:”Begin the unnecessarily slow-moving dipping mechanism! “-Austin Powers:International Man of Mystery
4.Weapons-anyone can use them
Absolutely anyone can pick up a weapon and use it, most of the times proving themselves to be expert marksmen, though it’s the first time they’ve layed hands on a real gun.Apparently, a childhood spent shooting BB guns in other kids’ eyes will prove useful.Of course, that is if you don’t leave the safety on.Common mistake, especially since the dead henchman from whom you borrowed that weapon tried really hard to leave the safety on before he died, so as no one would get hurt.
Related Quote:”I know what you’re thinking. “Did he fire six shots or only five?” Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk? “-Dirty Harry
3.Every villain will take time to explain his masterplan before leaving the hero to a slow painful death(or so he thinks)
After all, how could he escape the death trap he so carefully set up?Apparently villains are just not satisfied with a quick and efficient death.So, for about 5 to 10 minutes, the hero will pretend to be interested in the long and boring speech given by the self-centered bad guy.But hey!If he pays attention, as soon as he easily escapes the killer sharks/bomb with an intricate design/simple yet gruesom death device, he’ll know exactly how to thwart his plans.
Related Quote:”Man, are you an idiot. You made the classic movie mistake: don’t explain so much!” -Last Action Hero
2.Sidekick
Whatever the hero does, he needs a dork, most times much more intelligent than he is, but still a dork.Who else better to do things the hero is too busy(probably with the female lead) to?Like the real investigation or dealing with every technical problems along the way.After all, the hero is the hero, he gets the bullets/punches, why bother with a Google search(apparently highly praised in police practice)?
Related Quote:”Hey, guys, guys! You think I could get a gun this time?“-Lethal Weapon 3
1.If you’re wrongfully accused, you have the right to murder innocent men who are only trying to do their job.
I mean, you are the hero.The others, just as innocent as you, should know not to stand in your way.It doesn’t matter you leave behind wives and children without their husbands or fathers, the important thing is your innocence, and because you are the complex character, unlike the one-dimensional wusses and innocent by-standers that just happen to be in the line of fire.
Related Quote:”Hasta la vista, Baby.” -Terminator 2:Judgement Day
Posted on June 11th, 2008 by MrWiseguy
Filed under: Movies
Cool blog
Thanks, webmaster.
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