More Action Tropes!
I’ve been thinking about a few more action-flick tropes:
Mission Impossible Theme: Your characters are on a mission, but things quickly spiral out of control. As they face unexpected challenges, they must adapt their original plan and come up with creative solutions on the fly. This can lead to intense action sequences and moments of suspense as the protagonists navigate obstacles. Remember, Ethan and his crew fail at every turn until they finally triumph in a climactic setpiece.
Billionaire Antagonist: The team is betrayed by a wealthy individual who has a personal vendetta against them. The antagonist could have vast resources and connections, leading to high-stakes confrontations in luxurious settings. Their involvement could also tie into relatable and relevant high-tech elements ripped from the headlines.
Spy Who Loved Me Plot: The main conflict occurs early, but there's a personal vendetta that lingers. Perhaps a member of the team has a history with the antagonist, or there's an unresolved subplot that drives the characters forward. This adds emotional depth to the action, setting the expectation for a personal confrontation beyond a familiar plot.
High-Tech and Classified Elements: Incorporate elements like a secret space plane or a classified technology that becomes a central part of the mission. The rescue mission twist could involve retrieving crucial information or disabling dangerous technology.
Different Environments: Utilize various landscapes to keep visuals fresh and exciting. The team could face challenges in a jungle, desert, snowy mountains, or underwater. Each environment will present its own unique obstacles and opportunities. Perhaps forcing protagonists to confront personal fears or demons from a past experience.
Multiple Coordinated Teams: The main team could collaborate with other groups that bring their own expertise to the mission. This adds complexity to the narrative and enables interesting interactions between characters with diverse skill sets. Parallel action is your friend. Embrace the rhythmic pace of time cuts betwixt your teams.
Espionage, CQB, Remote Tech Services: Introduce characters with specialized skills in espionage, close-quarters combat, and remote tech operations. Their expertise will come in handy during different phases of a mission. Kind of a no-brainer, but if all your characters have clarity of expertise and voice, you can dial back on the pre-planning of missions, letting the audience enjoy the setpieces in media res, as Soderbergh does in his Ocean’s oeuvre.
Indiana Jones Model: The villains succeed early on, securing a valuable artifact or time-sensitive information. The heroes then embark on a journey to recover what’s been lost, leading to an escalating series of challenges, discoveries, and confrontations. Like the fails of Ethan in the Mission flicks or Indy getting his ass kicked at every turn until a hard won triumph.
The Rock Model: The team must recruit a critical individual from a secure facility to aid in an impossible mission. This could involve a daring rescue operation that adds tension and urgency to the plot. Don’t forget to craft a twist regarding the backstory of this individual—a personal vendetta or revelation about their motive and circumstance.
