ACTION ADVENTURE ARCHETYPES: AUSTIN POWERS

We examine character types that we may find in the Action Adventure genre. ARCHETYPES is a term used by Carl Jung to describe universal and recurring characters. the word is based on the Greek archetypos, meaning 'first of its kind'. Archetype characters share certain common features features that possess elements of universality. They are able to transcend cultural boundaries. The term 'hero' has long been used to identify the main character in a story.

In their guide to screenwriting, Cowden, LaFever and Viders (2000) identify 8 archetypal heroes, which we try to spot in films that we know, such as Twilight, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean:

• the CHIEF - a dynamic leader
• the BAD BOY - dangerous to know, he walks on the wild side
• the BEST FRIEND - sweet and safe, he never lets anyone down
• the LOST SOUL - a tormented being, he lives in solitude
• the CHARMER - a smooth talker, he creates fantasies
• the PROFESSOR - coolly analytical, he knows every answer
• the SWASHBUCKLER - Mr Excitement, he is an adventurer
• the WARRIOR - a noble champion, he acts with honour

We discuss a number of other issues:

• What is tragedy? What is a tragic hero? 
• Effect on the audience of tragedy: 'Calm of mind, all passion spent.' Samson Agonistes John Milton
• Is there always conflict in drama and AA films?
• 'The good end happily; the bad unhappily: that is what fiction means' Oscar Wilde. How far is this true?
• Name films with unresolved endings
• Definition of 'epic'
• Hollywood blockbusters, character and genre
• Anti-heroes
• Definition of 'protagonist'

GAME
Sort the films that I name into one of these categories: Speed and Motion, Jeopardy and Suspense, Combat

PREP 

1. Watch again Tom Cruise in Austin Powers -Goldmember, the spoof /parody AA film.
2. Identify genre codes and conventions (such as speed and motion, spectacle, suspense and jeopardy, combat, sound codes)
3. Identify character types, stereotypes or archetypes