Action and Adventure!To explore the range of archetypes of the hero character.To understand the theories about representations of the villain.

Name the hero

Name the Hero

StarterMake a list of heroes from action adventure films that you have seen.

What conventions are used: gender / costume / physical appearance / props / skills / qualities.

Starter:According to our Russian friend Propp, there are also a list of stock characters:The hero- who departs on a search (seeker-hero), reacts to the donor and weds at endThe villain- who struggles with the heroThe donor- who prepares and/or provides hero with magical agentThe helper- who assists, rescues, solves and/or transfigures the heroThe princess- a sought-for person (and/or her father), who exists as a goal and often recognizes and marries hero and/or punishes villainThe dispatcher- who sends the hero offThe false hero- who claims to be the hero, often seeking and reacting like a real hero

Think of a list of about 5-6 heroes.

(Try and go for a range)

There isnt just one type of heroThe SwordsmanThe CommandoThe CopThe Epic LeaderThe SuperheroThe ExplorerThe WomanWhich archetype do you think your heroes fit in to?

The Swordsman: Profile: With a cutlass at his side and a faithful stead between his legs this is the Action Hero from legend and fairy tale. Probably set in the past, somewhere in the east, or the east in the past.Motivation: There's a nasty evil overlord who's enslaving the people. The traditional hero will cut him up and probably fight some monsters/big men along the way.Mark of Masculinity: His stead and his cutlass.Skills: Swordfighting, horse riding and romance.Tools: Again, the sword and the horse. Possibly a mask. Perhaps a bow and arrow.Examples: Zorro, Robin Hood, Aladdin, Conan, Prince of Persia.

From a by-gone age this hero comes from a time far more romantic than ours - where heroes fought with sword instead of guns. Full of beautiful princesses, kings, sultans, sorcery and mystery, the classic hero fights with honour and charisma.

The Commando:Profile: Usually incredibly muscular and savage they carry equally big man guns and knifes. By the end of the film they will have their top off and be covered in blood.Motivation: They're sent by a government agency/the army to take out a terrorist threat probably in a jungle. Mark of Masculinity: This guy couldn't be more masculine; he's the most muscular man IN THE WORLD. He also has big guns, big knives and is just generally big. Skills: He's a commando, he can kill an entire army of men and probably not be seen.Tools: Guns, Knives, Bombs, maybe a tank or something big.Examples: Rambo, Commando, Eraser, Dutch

The commando is an almost extinct hero, but in his hey-day (The 80s) he was a perfect example of everything it was to be male: strong, resourceful and tooled up to the teeth with weapons, he always managed to over come the odds.

The Cop:Profile: A cop who has a problem with authority, a lose cannon untamed. This is ALWAYS the case. He may or may not have a 'buddy' with whom much humour will be generated. The cop is never in uniform. It's quite likely that his wife was killed.Motivation: He's been suspended for being untameable and now he's out to get the bad guys and get his job back so he can do it all again.Mark of Masculinity: Hating authority.Skills: Really accurate shooting, one liners.Tools: Cop badge and gun.Examples: Axel Foley, John McClane, Jack Traven

This also allows the audience to live out the fantasy of defying their orders and running amuck with a gun. Cops and Cowboys are perhaps the closest things to the Commando, still retaining a decent level of the male hormone.

The Epic Leader:Profile: The epic leader is a character in a period piece who commands a massive army. For some reason he almost always dies at the end of the film... up until that point however he normally does okay.Motivation: Peace usually. (which is ironic)Mark of Masculinity: Have a massive army of warriors. Skills: Leadership, good with a sword and a shield. Public speaking.Tools: Sword, shield, horse and massive army.Examples: Maximus, Leonidas, William Wallace.

They manage to stay relevant by drawing on history to make a comment on current politics.

The Superhero:Profile: Not like regular guys- instantly this means the superhero is isolated from others. They will fight somebody equally mutated, but fighting for the well being of ordinary folk.Motivation: Destroy their polar opposite, usually the villain who is just as super as they are.Mark of Masculinity: Tight clothing which extenuates the height and muscles.Skills: Hand to hand combat, athleticism, secrecy.Tools: Technology, the supernatural, their loving (but rather ordinary) friends.Examples: Batman, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, Neo.

The boost in the popularity of this archetype is argued by many to be a reaction to post 9/11 insecurities in urban environments, and the rapid development of technology.

The Explorer:Profile: Quiet type who is happy digging around in their university until somebody very rich (usually the government) will offer a financial grant if our hero will go and find a mythical object.Motivation: Money to fund their intellectual studies and further the knowledge of mankind.Mark of Masculinity: Rugged good looks, keen to be outdoors (hunter gatherer style)Skills: Languages, orienteering, other cultures/species.Tools: Knowledge, nature, ropes, trusty backpack.

Examples: Alan Grant, Indiana Jones, Captain Kirk

This hero is a mixture of the donor character from Propps theory and the traditional hero. Knowledge is power for this hero. You could argue that he is a smarter version of The Commando.

The Woman Profile: Lone woman in the wilderness (rural or urban) Due to lack of men around, woman has to defeat the bad guy, usually the villain wants to hurt the womans child. Usually this hero is tall and stereotypically unfeminine. Motivation: Protect the children, maternal instincts, revenge. Mark of Masculinity: Traditional weaponry, determination to protect.Skills: Resourceful, intelligent, caring.Tools: Emotional and mental strength, Examples: Sarah Connor, Ripley, Alice, The Bride.

James Cameron sort of invented this archetype with Terminator. Seen by many to be a feminist reaction to the masculine commando films of the 80s.

THE BIG QUESTIONWhich one is Bond? Justify your answer!The Swordsman? The Commando? The Cop? The Epic Leader? The Superhero? The Explorer? The Woman?

Representation of heroes:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-LQqXd0fEIn your books identify the use ofProps:Costume:Camera Angle:Editing:Sound:To show that our character is the hero.

Top Ten Action Adventure Hero Conventions

Villains in action adventure cinema

Spot the Villain!Which action adventure characters are heroes / villains?

How is mise-en-scene used to represent the villains?

Remember CLAMPS

Action Film Binary OppositesDie HardJohn McClane (Bruce Willis)Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman)

Action Film Binary OppositesThe Fifth ElementKorben Dallas (Bruce Willis)Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman)

Action Film Binary OppositesRobin HoodRobin Hood (Russell Crowe)Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong)

Action Film Binary OppositesThe MummyRick OConnell (Brendan Fraser)High Priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo)

Action Film Binary OppositesNational TreasureBenjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage)Ian Howe (Sean Bean)

Action Film Binary OppositesThe TerminatorKyle Reese (Michael Biehn)The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

Binary OppositesA media term meaning opposites

Linked to how we understand meaning. For example, our understanding of the word 'coward' surely depends on the difference between that word and its opposing idea, that of a 'hero'.

Other oppositions that should help you understand the idea are the youth/age binary, the masculinity/femininity, binary the good/evil binary, and so on.

In Media studies, we use this when analysing images. For example, sometimes film makers juxtapose opposite images in the same frame to emphasise their difference.

Binary Opposites in Action Adventure FilmsHero vs villain

Name the Villain / Film

StarterMake a list of villains from action adventure films that you have seen.

What conventions are used: gender / costume / physical appearance / props / skills / qualities.

Theories about villains in action adventure cinemaLook at these three theories on cinema villains.

Which ones do you agree with? Can you think of any examples which support/ go against them?

1. The Other-

A concept used in horror cinema. The monster/villain has to be depicted as other from the hero and his people.

This could mean a difference of:Ethnicity/ SpeciesAgeAccentCostumePoliticsGenderPhysique

This fear of outsiders is primeval. We fear what we dont understand.The use of otherness is used regularly in action adventure cinema.

Examplesof the other:European accent, CriminalCrazy, disfigured (thumb)Different species, man eatingGhost, criminal.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MftSEu4vgg0Think back to the other. How does Darth Vaders costume show that he is a villain?THE SORT OF THING YOU WRITE ABOUT IN THE EXAM!

2. Polarisation (opposites)Some theorists suggest that the villain has be the exact opposite of the hero in every way. This develops the other theory.

Think of some hero/villain combinations. Are they the exact opposite of each other? How can you tell?

Harry Potter/ VoldemortLuke Skywalker/ Darth VaderBatman/ The JokerSpiderman/ The Green GoblinBond/ Silver (Skyfall)

Polarisation (opposites) Harry Potter / Voldemort

Luke Skywalker / Darth Vader

Batman / The Joker

Bond / Silver (Skyfall)

3. Were not so different, you and IThe hero and villain have undeniable similarities.

This could suggest that the hero must destroy the dark side of himself.

Which theory do you think is most valid?The OtherPolarisationWere not so different, you and I

Be prepared to justify your answer with an example!

Homework(Due next lesson)Find a confrontation scene between a hero and a villain in an action/ adventure film.

Write two paragraphs analysing how:The hero is representedThe villain is represented

ENSURE YOU USE MEDIA TERMINOLOGY!

*