The action blockbuster is one of the most popular genres in contemporary Hollywood, but critics contend that the characters and narratives are relatively flat. Why then do audiences flock to see these films? This presentation examines action blockbusters through Goldstein’s theory of how colors affect humans, Well’s realization of what different colors mean to humans, and Kravov’s studies of how external forces can affect the way humans perceive color. The presentation posits that color correction in popular film, which gained popularity with O Brother Where Art Thou? in the year 2000, is a significant variable in the action blockbuster formula. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter are examined in some detail. Additional research on the effects of color grading on the psyches of moviegoers will help expand our understanding of what draws audiences to action blockbusters.
