Comparing Genres - Essay Example

Horror and action genres of movies can be compared side by side as they encompass common issues of sex, racism, and violence. Both these genres slot into these issues in a slightly different ways. In action movies, violence is less intense as compared to horror movies. The horror genre is packed with blood and gore as monsters or supernatural beings are notorious for killing humans brutally. Sex is present in both genres in a parallel fashion but racism is barer in horror as compared to the action genre.

Horror movies like ‘Friday the 13th’, ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Evil Dead’ are quite a few examples to support the above argument. Knives, guns, chainsaws, and physical violence is extreme in nature and is frequently used in horror movies. On the other hand, action movies are packed more with body blows and gunfire. Violence is relatively less intense in action movies. Karate and Ju-Jitsu are often used by the protagonist to paralyze the enemy. Movies like ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Bad Company’ suffice this notion as the protagonists in both movies use guns and their own bodily actions to neutralize the opponent. One thing is evident the protagonist (the good guy) in action movies is never brutal; he never kills an innocent person and generally avoids bloodshed.

Sex scenes are quite similar in both horror and action genres. In action movies, the protagonists are usually found making out with attractive females, movies like the ‘A-Team’ and ‘Lethal Weapon Series’ are good examples. In horror movies, usually, a couple is shown engaged in sexual activity and the monster or the evil creature enters the room and starts killing people. Most probably the idea is to stir the emotional extremities of the audience by first engaging them in a relaxed mode by showing seductive erotic scenes and then shocking them by showing blood and gore. ‘Friday the 13th’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ are known for such cinematic strategies.

Racism is present in both genres but horror movies show a more disgusting way of spewing this issue. Movies, like ‘Scream’, ‘Cloverfield’ and ‘Friday the 13th’  show very degrading aspects of racism by nearly humiliating the black community. Action movies in comparison are packed more with sophistication therefore racism is also portrayed very intelligently. ‘Lethal Weapon Series’ shows a clumsy cop following the orders of a smart white police officer. Moreover in the movie ‘Training Day’, the black police officer is portrayed as a criminal who engages in drug trading and robbery, whereas the white officer is a good and honest person who sticks by his principles.

All in all, technically there are different ways in which the issues of sex, racism, and violence are portrayed in horror and action movies.