For those that are puzzled.I would never speak for McQ but what his statement means to me is this. Regarding Action:
If you think of a dynamic sequence in an action film like a number in a musical, then it might be easier to understand. In the best, most beloved musical numbers, the choreography (staging, dance, camera movement) unifies around the space, takes inspiration from its limitations and unique attributes. Gene Kelly dancing in the rain, using the curb, lightpost etc. Similarly, this is true in ACTION, Cary Grant in the corn field or on Mt Rushmore (almost any Hitchcock btw -- the house in Psycho, the stairs in Notorious), John McClain in the office of shattered glass (Die Hard is entirely defined by location), the mirrors in Lady from Shanghai, the barren aesthetics of Sharif's arrival in LOA, etc. The "character" of location defines choices the characters make and tactics they use but it also serves to inspire the film maker to use original choreography that makes the sequence more than punching and kicking and shooting. The sequence becomes larger than the action itself, more resonant because it becomes more than a bg but another character and sometimes a metaphor for the entire picture and its themes.
This is very clearly visible in almost much of SS's work (Devil's Tower in CEOTTK comes immediately to mind also the confined boat and vast ocean in JAWS), all of Hitchcock's work, and in McQ's and hopefully my own..
@Benvhornigold is pooping in my apartment and didn’t even announce it to anyone here. How are we to support him in his efforts. He’s not helping us help him.
If Jesus were a gamer he’d be playing Royal Match because it has incredible graphics and is totally ad free.
I will not be taking questions at this time.