Blood, Guns, and Testosterone Action Films, Audiences, and a Thirst for Violence

Since the early days of film, the representation of masculinity has changed cosiderably. In the beginning men on screen instinctively knew right from wrong. They rode to the rescue and saved the day in the nick of time to the admiration and gratitude of society. But over the decades such figures evolved from larger than life infallible heroes to cynical washed-up, unwanted outsiders. The violent content in these films also evolved-from fist fights and gunplay to brutal attacks and nuclear explosions-escalating in frequency, intensity, and graphic depictions.

Barna william donovan is professor of communication at Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is the author of The Asian Influence on Hollywood Action Films (2008).