Ingredients of Action Films

Action Adventure films rely on Action Sequences and a typical Adventure Narrative. 

Action Sequences
Extended chases
Lots of high energy stunts
Lots of spectacular special effects
Gun battles and explosives
Fist or sword fights
Series of spectacular crashes
Daring rescues, which succeed in the nick of time

Adventure Narrative
Main character on some sort of quest or mission
Dramatic discoveries
Main character falls in love with a beautiful woman
Main character on the side of good
Main character has to overcome against seemingly impossible odds
Main character has to defeat villain of some sort
A sidekick, who helps the main character