Independent Study Plan

Topic: Action Film

Films to be used:

• Initial D (Hong Kong/Japan)- Action Thriller
  
• The Fast and the Furious 2001 (USA)- Action Thriller
  
• Kung Fu Hustle (Hong Kong)- Action Comedy
  
• Rush Hour 3 (USA)- Action Comedy
  

The main idea of this independent study is to compare and analyze the similarities and differences between Hollywood and Hong Kong-made action films. Initial D and FF2001 are listed under as action thrillers where on the other hand, KFH and RH3 are action comedies.

Similarities between I.D and FF2001:

• Protagonist forms relationship with female character towards end of film
• Protagonists are famed for racing
• Rely on CGI for racing scenes, builds realistic motions of car technologies
• Both protagonist's abilities were unaware by 'dominating minor characters/antagonists'
  

Differences between I.D and FF2001:

• I.D characters were illegal racing on mountain; FF2001 mission to wipe out dealers
  
• I.D Jay Chou poor, father drunkard; FF2001 Paul Walker an undercover cop, becomes friends with Vin Diesel
• Driving is for delivering tofu in I.D, job for Ff2001
  
• I.D no bad characters, development of protagonist; FF2001 Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez bad characters, but film act them as allies to Walker
• I.D does not really have a climax
• FF2001 follows 3 act structure, I.D structure narrow variation
• Film of I.D was based on Japanese manga, FF2001 made from scratch
  

Similarities between K.F and R.H3:

• There is a climax in the films- protagonist becomes 'hero' towards the end
  
• Both films follow 3 act structure
• Protagonist faces a turning points in parts of the film, where they suffer defeat
• Protagonists- Chinese, Humor-sense, was once 'unwanted' by other characters
• Story includes triads
• Fights between characters- much exaggerated in the tension/pace
• Forms vague relationship with female characters
  

Differences between K.F and R.H3:

• K.F set in a more historic setting, R.H3 more modern scenery
• Spoken in Chinese and English respectively
• Film K.F is more HK-based, R.H3 worldwide
• Protagonist in K.F depends on 'super power' to defeat enemies, protagonists in R.H3 more knowledge, kung fu-styled battles
• Protagonist in K.F have his powers unleashed through training by veteran characters, protagonists in R.H3 have mission to go on jounry

My approach to I.S. is to look at how 'action' films can be varied when the sub-genre are different; Action Thriller and Action Comedy.

UPDATE:
How the narrative structure are constructed through the Action sub-genre's of Thriller and Comedy between USA and Hong Kong films?

Toderov, Propps, Sydfield