Action Adventure Tropes

Elements used for exciting sequences, or primarily only found in stories about adventure.

A
After a big, property-damage-causing event, the main characters are seen on a cliff or plateau overlooking the ruins that resulted. A blade that is somehow so sharp that it can cut through almost anything, and never get dull. The development of immunity to a particular drug or poison by taking small doses for a long time. When escaping danger, a character who can fly will never think about flying up. When an Action Girl finds herself in a dress, she'll rip it before going into a situation that actually requires action. When an action adventure show has more action of a higher quality in the opening sequence than in an entire episode. That bit where you actually watch the actors instead of the special effects. When a shy or frumpy girl is embroiled in an adventure, by the end of it she has come out of her shell and often gotten sexier and/or more Badass. When the injured hero gets his injuries treated in a quiet scene after one of heavy action. When heroes find themselves trapped in a room with all doors and windows locked, the quickest exit is always through the ventilation duct. Where the heroes' home base is attacked. Imminent death by suffocation is always a good way to ratchet up the tension. An ally who is mistrustful or can't be bothered with your group, preferring to do things on their own; he generally joins up at some point, though. Where the heroes are saved from a scary monster by a scarier monster. Where you actively call the scarier monster to fight the current monster, and hope that by the time the dust settles you can scurry away. No matter what time of day or night, the main cast are always the ones on duty, ready to deal with problems. Where the hero values the life of their love interest over absolutely everything else, often including the rest of the world. Aliens are threatening the entire world - but it's up to the USA to beat them! The habit of some action works to take place around Christmas time.
 * Above the Ruins
 * Absurdly Sharp Blade
 * Acquired Poison Immunity
 * Acrophobic Bird
 * Action Dress Rip
 * Action-Hogging Opening
 * Action Film Quiet Drama Scene
 * Adrenaline Makeover
 * After-Action Patchup
 * Air Vent Passageway
 * All Your Base Are Belong to Us
 * Almost Out of Oxygen
 * Aloof Ally
 * Always a Bigger Fish
 * Summon Bigger Fish
 * Always on Duty
 * Always Save the Girl
 * America Saves the Day
 * An Asskicking Christmas

B
These guys can pull things behind the wheel that you'd love to be able to do (though not necessarily to be in the passenger's seat at the time). This is the place where bad guys hang out to plot their nefarious deeds. Where heroes or villains dress up as a religious figure as part of a disguise. The character used to draw out the bad guys for a trap. Often the Butt Monkey's job. The danger of the situation has forged a friendship between the Heroes and his companions that transcends the usual meaning of the word. A trapped character does this to attract attention from people outside. The bartender slides the cup, mug or shot glass across the bar to a patron. A super-strong character or monster just punches through a door or wall to reach the victim on the other side. A character makes his escape by ducking into the John. The heroic swoop to save the day just in the nick of time. In which the hero runs at full tilt to save the day or fulfill his goals, usually scored with a rousing fanfare. A type of action movie made in the 1970s and '80s where the heroes are always black. Making fun of the Blaxploitation genre. When someone is shot, they show no wounds or blood, they just crumple up and fall on the floor. You think someone is acting like an impostor, so you say something to them with an erroneous fact, and see if they react to it. When a character hides in a bodybag and is wheeled into a hospital or other facility, then gets out and does his/her mission. Where the most elite defenders of the Big Bad are exclusively female warriors. The ending of an episode, season, character arc, or especially entire series that ends in an open-ended tragedy. Techniques are used to dispose of bombs, regardless if it was disarmed or not. A real-time computer map is used, showing the positions of military units (or possibly a physical map with model units). When a bomb is going to go off indoors, the hero hides in a bathtub or fridge. A pithy line said by the hero just after he's killed a bad guy. When a villain fails to kill the hero when they have him cornered or captured. A secret passage is hidden behind a bookcase or triggered by the removal or manipulation of a book in a bookcase. A drug or potion to allow severely injured heroes to get back on their feet and finish off the bad guy. Don't you hate it when you get all tied up with things? When the modern weaponry or equipment has been destroyed or taken away, the heroes resort to outdated stuff to do the job. Heroes showing off their power by busting out of chains, ropes or similar restraints. When you want to show that the situation is horrible, make sure your toughest character is scared! Where a character must go back in person (often through long, dangerous roads) to deliver important news. Catching bullets translates into instant Badass. Grab a nearby Mook and let him block bullets while you head for safety.
 * Badass Driver
 * Bad Guy Bar
 * Bad Habits
 * The Bait
 * Band of Brothers
 * Banging for Help
 * Bar Slide
 * Barrier-Busting Blow
 * Bathroom Break Out
 * Big Damn Heroes
 * Big Heroic Run
 * Blaxploitation
 * Blaxploitation Parody
 * Bloodless Carnage
 * Bluff the Impostor
 * Bodybag Trick
 * Bodyguard Babes
 * Bolivian Army Ending
 * Bomb Disposal
 * Bombers on the Screen
 * Bombproof Appliance
 * Bond One-Liner
 * Bond Villain Stupidity
 * Bookcase Passage
 * Boomerang Comeback: The thrown weapon that you thought missed its target is coming back around for a second go.
 * Bottled Heroic Resolve
 * Bound and Gagged
 * Break Out the Museum Piece
 * Breaking the Bonds
 * Break the Badass
 * Bring News Back
 * Bullet Catch
 * Bulletproof Human Shield