The action movies got transformed drastically from the late 1980s to the 2010s.
Skillfully combining all the grit and thrill of late 1980s action with the stylish choreography design of today, the genre has indeed evolved to suit changing audience tastes and technology.
The action films that used to be at the entry level defined the stature of big-bang spectacle. This has, of course, been changed to bring sophistication and more style through the ages, thanks to the likes of John Wick.
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Let’s examine the evolution of the action film from the Die Hard era and into the current-day John Wick era.
1. The Die Hard Time (1980s–Early 1990s)
Let’s Discuss the Die Hard Time
The late 1980s saw the coming of Die Hard (1988), a movie that transformed the action genre and dictated the tone of subsequent films.
In 1980 Action heroes were usually larger-than-life characters before Die Hard—superhuman and almost invulnerable.
But Die Hard broke the mold, introducing a new breed of hero: John McClane, played by Bruce Willis.
Key Features:
— Relatable Heroes
John McClane was not a typical action hero. He was a regular cop, having his own personal problems, and did not possess superhuman strength and abilities.
He had to use his brain alone, make use of the environment around him.
— Realistic:
Whereas the other movies featured a lot of large-scale destruction, Die Hard primarily took place in a single, remote location
The cramped setting heightened tension, as McClane was stuck in the building with terrorists and had to navigate through the situation on a shoestring budget.
This emphasis on small, high-stakes locations brought realism to the action.
— Practical Stunts and Low Special Effects:
Die Hard was also famous for its practical stunts. Explosions, shootouts, and hand-to-hand combat were done in a realistic, grounded way. The film used more physical action than CGI effects, which was the norm in later years.
Impact:
Die Hard established the “one-man army” genre, where one hero has to battle against impossible odds to save the day.
It established a new kind of action hero—a more human, vulnerable, and relatable one.
This success led to a whole generation of action films in the 1990s, such as Lethal Weapon (1987) and Speed (1994), which also used the same format of focusing on ordinary heroes who are placed in extraordinary situations.
2. The Over-the-Top Action Era (1990s–Early 2000s)
Action films in the ’90s were bigger and flashier.
Action heroes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator and Will Smith’s Bad Boys were close to invincible, battling titanic explosions and high-octane action. CGI and special effects took center stage.
Impact:
The attention turned to spectacle rather than substance, with unbeatable heroes and explosive action calling the shots.
3. The Gritty, Realistic Action Era (2000s)
During the 2000s, films like The Bourne Identity (2002) brought a shift towards realistic and grounded action.
The heroes, like Jason Bourne, were flawed and complex, and the action became raw and realistic. Close-quarter combat and quick-paced, fast action prevailed.
Impact:
This period saw a concentration on realism, sophistication, and cleverness in action, reflected in the likes of The Dark Knight (2008) and Casino Royale (2006).
4. The John Wick Era (2010 – Present)
A New Wave of Stylized Action
When John Wick was released in 2014, it introduced a new style to action movies.
With precision choreography and high emotional stakes, John Wick elevated action to a new level, combining physicality with a stylized presentation.
Features of the John Wick Era:
— Choreographed, Stylized Action:
Unlike in the past, John Wick depended heavily on slick, choreographed fight scenes. The action was precise, with long takes so the audience could witness the skill and effort that went into each fight scene.
— The Anti-Hero:
John Wick is not a typical hero. He is a retired hitman who’s seeking revenge, driven by grief and sorrow. This complex character added depth to the action, making the audience more emotionally invested in the hero’s journey.
— World-Building and Immersive Narrative:
John Wick also introduced its own strange world of assassins, including rules, codes, and secret societies. That world-building added something to the feel of the movie and richness to the narrative over the action.
— Practical, Realistic Stunts:
Similar to the previous Die Hard era, John Wick focuses on practical stunts. The battle scenes nowadays are pretty realistic and it’s looks very real as compared to other era.
Impact:
John Wick transformed the action film genre by integrating choreography and emotional content, setting a new benchmark for action movies.
The practicality of stunts and the priority placed on technique rather than strength have impacted movies like Atomic Blonde (2017) and The Raid (2011), which too emphasize martial arts and properly constructed action sequences.
Conclusion
The development of action films, from Die Hard to John Wick, shows how the genre has been evolving in keeping with changing trends, technologies, and styles of storytelling.
The action films of today still evolve, merging raw combat with emotional resonance and complex choreography.