There are currently 5 "rescue series" starring Liam Neeson, namely "Hurricane Rescue" 1, 2, 3, "Air Rescue", and "Commuter Rescue". Although the number is large, the routines that can attract the audience are consistent, which can be summarized as the three elements of the "rescue series": the suspense to track and solve the case, the domineering side-fighting, and the loving care of the family. These three elements cannot be played in isolation and wantonly. They must respond before and after, and be organically combined to bring the audience a logically consistent and invigorating movie-watching experience at the same time. First of all, it must conform to the basic personality of the story, that is, the protagonist's identity, position, and appeal.
Let's take a look at the difference between the "Hurricane Rescue" series and "Commuter Rescue" in terms of basic human settings.
"Hurricane Rescue" series: "I want to save" The protagonist in the "Hurricane Rescue" series is highly subjective. The first part saves his daughter, the second part saves his ex-wife, and the third part saves himself, with strong motivation and quick action. The occupation setting of the former agent gives the protagonist an ability to open the hook. I still remember the classic last warning: "I will find you, and I will kill you." It exploded instantly! Feel the murderous look in Liam Neeson's eyes.
"Commuter Rescue": "Take me to save" The protagonist in "Commuter Rescue" is very passive, trying to figure out his situation is very difficult. Just because I have been on this line for ten years and have been a police officer, I have been assigned a mission directly? Originally, I just wanted to get some extra money, but there was a car waiting to be rescued. It was really a disaster. If they are not fired, they will sell their insurance on the spot, and their sales will be leveraged. Feel the aggrieved expression of Liam Neeson.
This is because the difference between "I want to save" and "I want to save", active and passive, has affected the plot trend of these two works to a certain extent.
1. Comparison of "Suspense" Elements
In "Hurricane Rescue 1", the protagonist takes the initiative to attack, relying only on a recording, to find the kidnappers through multiple methods such as scene restoration, photo analysis, eavesdropping and tracking, so that the audience can follow the protagonist to reason and solve the case, fighting wits and courage, which is very enjoyable. Shortly after the beginning of the film in "Hurricane Rescue 3", the ex-wife who was about to reunite with the protagonist received a box lunch, and the protagonist was treated as a fugitive suspect again, which made people start off with a jaw drop and stunned their appetite. The protagonist in "Commuter Rescue" was initially played around by enemies who don't know where, who, or what happened, and successfully aroused the curiosity of the audience. Although there are no rules, see who catches whom, and try all the wrong candidates with the method of elimination, but it also leaves the suspense to the end to see how the protagonist completes the whitewashing from "gangster" to hero. Therefore, in terms of suspense, the "Hurricane Rescue" series is on par with the "Commuter Rescue".
2. Comparison of "fighting" elements
Fighting is not only about action, but also about aura. In "Hurricane Rescue" 1 and 2, the protagonist's mentality when facing the kidnappers is this: Yes, I am old and retired, and I don't want to fight anymore, but it's more than enough to deal with the little ones of you. The little Yakuza refers to the kidnapping, drug trafficking and prostitution chain, and even the police don't want to mess with the big gangster family. The image of Liam Neeson’s old age and Gu’s family adds to his unique charm in the fight. The warmth and affection in the face of his family also reflects his domineering side when facing the gang, a kind of domineering that will be punishable even if the offender is far away. . In "Commuter Rescue", the protagonist only took the black money and was threatened to act, and the people in the car looked innocent. If this time is cool and unrelenting, it does not conform to the protagonist's sentimental and righteous personality, and there will be no logical basis for the subsequent rescue by risking death. Not only can you not be cruel, but you also have to be beaten. After a few fights, the protagonist drags the old, heavy, disabled and determined pace to shuttle between the carriages, but wins some sympathy points. Therefore, in terms of fighting, the "Hurricane Rescue" series is slightly better.
3. Comparison of "family affection" elements
Family affection is a continuous clue in the "Hurricane Rescue" series. Although the protagonist's family is broken, the family relationship is changing for the better. This also constitutes a sufficient reason for the protagonist to actively fight and protect. Although this routine is very conventional and traditional, it has always been widely recognized by the audience. But in "Commuter Rescue", there is no such sympathy. Although just unemployed, the protagonist's family is also middle-class, far from being so poor that it is hard to be sympathetic to the cheapness of strangers. The screenwriter should have discovered this too, and added the scene of the protagonist’s family being kidnapped later, and remedy the broken family card in the front. Therefore, in terms of family affection, the "Hurricane Rescue" series performed better.
In summary, the "Hurricane Rescue" series is even more brilliant.
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