The Inception of Action Thrillers
The movie industry has seen a plethora of changes over the last decade, with one of the most noteworthy being the surge in action-thriller films. From franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe to innovate plotlines like ‘Inception’ or ‘John Wick’, there is no doubt that the genre has made a huge mark on cinemas all over the world. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best action-thrillers of the decade and the impact that these movies have had on modern cinema.
The global action-thriller movie genre has its roots in the early westerns and war dramas of film’s golden age. The genre of action thrillers blends elements of Westerns, crime dramas, and even science fiction and horror to create intense and entertaining tales of conflict, suspense and excitement.
Starting in the early 2000s, Hollywood saw a surge in action-thriller sequels, franchises and reboots. Films like ‘The Bourne Identity’, ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Taken’ spawned franchises and spurred a resurgence of action in film. The success of these films brought in more talent, bigger budgets and ambitious plotlines, quickening the development of the action-thriller genre.
The 2010’s saw a steady upward trend in the quality of action-thrillers released in theatres. The ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise became an international favourite and influential actors and directors such as Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg made increasingly darker and violent movies.
In recent years, we’ve seen increased experimentation in the action-thriller genre, with more moviemakers attempting unique and innovative plots. ‘Inception’ highlighted the power of shared dreamscapes, while ‘John Wick’ reinvented the formula of the revenger’s tale. These groundbreaking movies exemplify the power of the action-thriller genre and are the perfect starting point for a decade-long exploration of the genre.
Must-See Action Thrillers
As the decade comes to an end, let’s have a look at some of the best Action-Thrillers of the decade. These are movies that not only capture our imagination and thrill us with their action scenes but also tell powerful stories and make us think.
The Dark Knight (2008): ‘The Dark Knight’, directed by Christopher Nolan, is arguably one of the best action-thrillers of the decade. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker was one of the most iconic performances of the decade and the movie’s storyline was both captivating and thought-provoking.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011): ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’ is a gripping action-thriller that sees Tom Cruise’s secret agent character Ethan Hunt on a mission to save the world. The intense chase scenes and breathtaking stunts were praised by audiences and critics alike.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ is, without a doubt, one of the best action-thrillers of the decade. Its power-packed action sequences, combined with its post-apocalyptic setting and intense narrative, make it one of the most gripping movies of the decade.
John Wick (2014): ‘John Wick’ follows the story of a retired assassin’s quest for revenge and is widely considered one of the best action-thrillers of the decade. The focus of the movie is on stylish and intense action sequences, and the movie has become an iconic entry in the genre.
The Impact of Action Thrillers
Action-thrillers are one of the most successful genres in cinema, and over the last decade, they’ve grown in popularity exponentially. These movies have also had a profound impact on the entertainment industry as a whole, leading to the emergence of more complex and creative action-thrillers.
The success of these movies has also prompted the creation of an international action-thriller fan base, with millions of people following the latest releases and talking about them regularly. Movies like ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘John Wick’ have become household names and have established an exciting and innovative industry that will continue to evolve in the coming years.
The success of these movies has also inspired many filmmakers to experiment with the genre, creating even more unique and thrilling action-thrillers. Studios have become more willing to take risks and back these projects, leading to the emergence of even more daring and experimental Hollywood action-thrillers.
An example of this is the Netflix series ‘Extraction’, which combines elements of action, thriller and science fiction to create a unique and captivating narrative. The production value and ambitious direction make this series one of the most impressive action-thriller projects of the decade and a testament to the versatility of the genre.
The Future of Action Thrillers
As we step into the 2020s, the action-thriller genre will remain as popular as ever. The genre has come a long way since its inception and will continue to evolve and expand in the coming years. We can expect studios to continue to pump out exciting new action-thrillers, particularly with the emergence of streaming giants like Netflix and the success of ‘Fury Road’-style reboots.
The upcoming decade will also see a surge of ground-breaking independent action-thrillers, with more daring and innovative projects emerging from filmmakers all over the world. We can expect to see plenty of fresh talent in this emerging indie scene, with bigger budget studios also becoming increasingly willing to back these projects.
It is clear that the action-thriller genre will continue to delight and fascinate audiences, and it remains one of the most successful movie genres in the world. With creative projects, ambitious directors and talented stars, the future of action-thrillers looks bright and the 2020s will surely be an exciting decade for movie fans.
The Cultural Significance of Action Thrillers
Action thrillers are more than just a form of entertainment; they have a real cultural significance. Movies like the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise and ‘John Wick’ have taught us important lessons about loyalty, courage and determination, while movies like ‘Mission Impossible’ have enthralled audiences with their combination of complex plotlines and thrilling action sequences.
Action-thrillers have even addressed heavier topics such as poverty, war and political corruption. Films like ‘John Wick’ and ‘Taken’ show us the lengths to which one can go in the quest for justice and has sparked debates all over the world.
Action-thrillers have also inspired real-world positive change, with the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise inspiring generations of men and women to stay true to their loyalty and fight for what is right. Similarly, ‘The Dark Knight’ has inspired people to look inward and confront their own inner demons.
Action-thrillers have become a cornerstone of global entertainment and have had a real and lasting impact on our culture. It is clear that these movies will remain ingrained in the popular consciousness for many years to come and will continue to inform and shape modern culture.
The Technology Behind Action Thrillers
Action-thrillers are known for their breathtaking stunts and incredible fight sequences, and these sequences owe a lot to technological advancements. From stunt doubles to wirework, visual effects and CGI, action-thriller movies have been pushing the technological envelope for decades.
Computer-generated imagery is one of the most important advancements in action movie technology and has enabled filmmakers to create breath-taking action sequences. Animation technology has also enabled directors to experiment with complex fight choreography and add a layer of realism to their projects.
In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in motion-capture technology, with filmmakers using it to create complex and realistic fight scenes. Motion-capture technology also allows filmmakers to capture stunts for future movies, enabling them to reuse stunts and create consistent action sequences across multiple movies.
It is clear that technology plays an essential role in the development of action-thriller movies, and its importance will continue to grow in the coming years. Studios are investing more and more in technology and this will only lead to more innovative and ambitious action-thrillers in the future.
