Analysing Representation in Action Adventure

When analysing representation of characters in action adventure films you should do the following:

1.  Decide which role in the narrative the character holds (hero, villain, sidekick, princess, mentor) and whether they are stereotypical or not.

2.  Go deeper into the analysis and think of words which describe the character.  Try to make these more about the character's traits rather than just their physical appearance.

3.  Think about why you think this and how this representation has been constructed.  Do this by asking yourself various questions:

What do they look like?

Facial expression?  Clothes?  Jewellery? Stance and body language?

What do they sound like?

Tone of voice? Sound of voice? Soundtrack and music associated with them?

How do they behave?

What is their defining action?

How do other characters see them?

What are the reactions of other characters to this person or people?  Accepting? Positive? Angry?  Lustful? Fearful?