The Journey to Adventure

Have you even seen an adventure movie?

Well of course, because they are embedded within action, animation, drama and thriller movies. So even if you think you haven't, you most likely have.

Characteristics

   For starters, the name gives away a decent bit of the story line: a fast paced journey filled with excitement to fulfill a mission or goal. The journey can vary from a quest or maturing themselves or developing an understanding towards a situation. Either way, the protagonist always shows growth within their journey and conquers something valuable. The continuation of the story contains the protagonist enduring risks: life-or-death situations. These scenes are action pact which is followed by faster editing. Depending on the associated genre with adventure, the location can change from familiar to unique. For instance, Harry Potter is also considered fantasy, therefore, the setting of Hogwarts is unfamiliar to the viewers. On the other hand, Miss Congeniality 2, is also considered action, therefore, the setting of Las Vegas is familiar to the viewers. The variation in scenes also inflicts tone shifts ranging from anticipation and suspense to relief and satisfaction. The consistency between switching moods captivates the viewers to continue watching, encouraging them to find out the ending of the protagonist. Even if they already know what is going to happen, we still need that validation and security how it ends.

Examples

   Since adventure films are also incorporated into other genres, the target audience fluctuates along with the themes.

Finding Nemo is animation and adventure where their main audience was children. The theme focused towards the importance of family and building trust. While Nemo went on a journey outside of the ocean, Marlin tried to follow find his son but required the trust of others to do so within the ocean. Marlin is not only able to trust more but becomes more social towards other species: sea turtles, sharks and other fish

Harry Potter is fantasy and adventure which appeals to teenagers and adults. The series shows the evolution of Hogwarts, Harry Potter and his friends. Each movie has a common goal, to defeat what is causing harm to Hogwarts and their family, which they eventually find it to be Voldemort. The themes for the series are being courageous, building friendships and knowing good from bad.






Miss Congeniality 2 is action and adventure where their target audience is teenagers and adults. The journey is to solve a case but along the journey, both Agent Hart and Agent Fuller learn to trust each other, putting their differences aside to solve the case. As they endure risky situations, they are able to focus on what is important to both of them, being an agent and finding Miss USA, in Las Vegas. The fluctuation between tones of relief, anticipation and heart-felt moments captivate the audience.


Tucker, K. (2020). Characteristics of Adventure Fiction. Pen & the Pad. Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/characteristics-adventure-fiction-6820162.html

Elements of Adventure. (n.d.). Elements of Adventure. Children's Adventure Genre Guide. Retrieved  from https://childrensadventuregenreguide.wordpress.com/elements-of-adventure/ 

Szpack, A. (April 17, 2017). Characteristics of Crime Fiction. Pen & the Pad. Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/characteristics-crime-fiction-8661074.html