The term 'ACTION FILM STAPLE' can be broken down into three crossword solutions: HERO (4 letters), UZI (3 letters), and CHASE (5 letters). A HERO is a protagonist in a story, often the main character, who is typically brave and noble. An Uzi is a type of submachine gun developed in Israel in the 1940s. A CHASE is a pursuit of one person or group by another, usually involving a vehicle. These three elements are staples of action films, which often feature a heroic protagonist being pursued by villains while using an Uzi to fight back.