There are a lot of action movies in Hollywood. Action sells from Michael Mann's Heat to John McTiernan's Die Hard. The genre is thriving because of how easy it is to adapt to the changing times and because people like a good old fashioned thrill. It perfectly embodies the magic of cinema; action may not include dragons, orcs, spaceships, orrobots, but it still requires considerable cooperation from the audience to deliver on its pledge. Action is always over-the-top. Don't think so. You didn't pay attention.
Some of the best action films have ridiculous plots. At best, they are perfect examples of everything going right for the main character, an all-lights-are-green kind of situation; at worst, they are ridiculous and overindulgent. Quality is not synonymous with logic or sense, contrary to what some might think, and they can be as insightful and meaningful as any other film genre. Action films put the rage in outrageous when it comes to their plots and the basic idea that gives them shape and purpose.
The summer of 1997 was a great example of how excessive action films can be. Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, Simon West's Con Air, John Woo's Face/Off, and Wolfgang Petersen's Air Force One were four of the best action films of the '90s. It is the case for why action and camp can go hand in hand, and it is also the case for how much the genre thrives on the absurdity and tasteless.
Camp is not everyone's idea of a good time. A lot of people use the word to describe something bad. It is acknowledged that it is in poor taste, but it is not an insult. Camp has a deep respect and appreciation for things that are not cheap. There is no better example of how camp and action are perfect companions than the four action films of 1997.
If ever there was a guilty pleasure in camp, it would be the Fifth Element. Everything about the film is unique and unforgettable. The perfect marriage between camp and action can be found in The Fifth Element.
Everyone is having a good time. Bruce Willis gives in to his comedy instincts to create a straight man who plays along with the shenanigans around him. Milla Jovovich delivered a charming performance as the film's almighty being, conveying Leelo's innocence easily and reflecting the film's tone in her speech. Gary Oldman delivers a performance that is not even his campiest of the year. Ian was composed, but he was also Father Vito Cornelius. The camp legend of The Fifth Element is still alive and well with Chris Tucker.
Ruby Rhod is unforgettable regardless of whether you think she is a gender nonconformist or offensive walking stereotype. The only thing louder than Ruby's voice are his outfits. Camp is embodied by Ruby. He is larger-than-life, stealing every scene he is in, which is no easy feat when the film in question includes one of Hollywood's best scenery chewers and an opera- singing blue alien diva.
The fifth element is one of the best space movies of all time More colorful than a rainbow, more unsubtle than Joy Behar on The View, and with enough cheese to sustain a Domino's pizza, the film is a breath of fresh air. The fifth element is bombast come to life, an extravagance that exists to entertain and satisfy, and a celebration of camp as a vital element for action to thrive.
Con Air gave us a lot more than a bunch of Nicolas Cage GIFs, it also gave us a cast that included everyone from Ving Rhames to Danny Trejo. Everyone involved in Con Air knows the type of movie it is, and they seem to know it more than any other film. A film was made that posed the question, "How over-the-top can an action film be?" and set out to answer it as well. Con Air comes up with new questions just so it can respond to them in the most obnoxious way possible. We like it for it.
Con Air is dumb, maybe the only film in the group that is deserving of the term stupid. Con Air knows it is stupid and brags about it, walking down Action Avenue with a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon in its hand. Con Air is a complete waste of time. Any film that features this scene is bound to raise some eyebrows, but Con Air does it so shamelessly, so bold and uncompromisingly, that one can't help but clap, eyebrows still raised but head nodding in agreement, as if acknowledging the film's willingness to be as stupid as
Why does con air work? The film has John Malkovich pointing a gun at a stuffed bunny and saying, "Make a move, and the bunny gets it." The camp in Con Air is the result of a lot of hard work. Con Air chose Nicolas "Not-the-bees" Cage as the leading man and named him Cyrus "the virus" Grissom.
The dialogue, the score, and the action set pieces are all included. They are all so over-the-top that one can't help but make a scene out of it. Is it real admiration? Is it second hand embarrassment? There is a genuine puzzlement at the antics taking place. Who the hell doesn't care? The plane is going to land on the Las Vegas strip.
Nicolas Cage returned to the box office to win the title of king of camp with Woo's Face/Off. There is a dignity to Face/Off despite the contrived yet stylish action around Cage and Travolta.
The premise of Face/Off is really stupid. The film is capable of pulling it off. Face/Off seems convinced of its own grandness, ironically bringing it to life in the process. Face/Off seems under the impression that it is a triumphant achievement in sci-fi, even though Nicolas Cage spends most of the film playing the good guy. It doesn't need self-awareness. The film finds John Woo at his best, directing beautifully choreographed action scenes that elevate the film above its ridiculous premise.
Face/off is campy. It's a camp classic because of the editing choices, slow- motion during the oddest moments, and the dialogue. There is a shootout set to Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but the action scenes are simpler and less extravagant.
The actors lift a lot. Travolta is doing his best to deliver a Nicolas Cage performance and come out on top. Cage becomes smaller in his own skin as he stutters and weeps. A meal of a scene, showcasing two masters of camp at the height of their abilities is what this exchange is all about. Travolta tried to lick Cage's face. Face/Off has enough flair to get a spot in the camp hall of fame.
Gary Oldman was better than Gary Oldman in Air Force One. The man who delivered the line "Death is whimsical today" and turned it into an icon in film is the same one who brought the same frenzied enthusiasm to his Egor Korshunov in the film. The living embodiment of the Soviet Union is played by Oldman.
Air Force One could be without camp if it weren't for the fact that Harrison Ford plays the President of the U.S. Air Force One wants audiences to shut down their brains and nod in agreement.
Air Force One has a fair amount of camp. Even the most committed of fans will find the last sequence of the movie, which ends with the agent on his knees crying as the plane is about to crash, ridiculous. The shots of Glenn Close's vice president in the situation room surrounded by several men in uniforms with concerned looks on their faces that offer no help or advice are also funny at best.
Air Force One may be the best example of synergy between camp and action. Despite the premise being so far-fetched, the film's action set pieces are nonsensical onomatopoeias brought to life by Harrison Ford in a suit. Even if it means sacrificing some of the film's self-proclaimed pride, they want to get a reaction from the audience. Air Force One feels like it is ashamed of its camp sensibilities, something many action films share.
Camp is an action flick's secret weapon. The genre needs jaw-dropping set pieces. A collection of daring sequences that exceed expectations is what it is. We expect something to be exaggerated. The ones that embrace this nature are the ones that can take pride in what they are. They invite people to laugh along with the joke.
Camp shouldn't be an insult when it's so beneficial to the genre. The films can be better with a little color and flare. What is the problem with that?
There is a synergy between camp and action that can result in classics that challenge convention. The films should learn from this project. They may not be to everyone's taste, and some may consider them dumb and deprived of any value. One thing that is certain is that they are not boring. Being in the action genre is worse than being boring.
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