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| Die Hard |
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  (9/10)
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Runtime: 131 |
| Public Rating: 9.35 (43 votes) |
Director: John McTiernan |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Action |
Year: 1988 |
| Writer(s): Roderick Thorp |
| Reviewed by: Scott S. |
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Bruce Willis gets his biggest break playing as the legendary John McClane, in one of the most successful action series of all time. The “Die Hard” series is a must see for all fans of action movies, as it paves the way for later films in the future. On the brink of a failing marriage, John McClane flies out to Los Angeles from New York, where his wife is attending a company party at the Nakatomi Plaza. Holly Gennero, (Bonnie Bedelia) now lives in California with their two children after separating with McClane, who works in New York City as a cop. The party is spoiled when a gang of German terrorists seize the Nakatomi Plaza in hopes to break, the safe where $640 million dollars are located. The group of terrorists are run by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) who will stop at nothing to get his prize. The terrorists take over the Plaza upon McClane’s arrival, taking the 30th floor hostage, and locking down the entrance to the building, leaving McClane trapped inside along with the rest of the people. As McClane is about to enter to scene of the party, is notices the terrorists and immediately hides, waiting for his chance to take action. While trapped in the building, McClane does his best to take out the terrorists one by one. He later gets support from officer Sgt. Al Powell, (Reginald VelJohnson) who gives him emotional support from the ground. They seem to connect well in between the fights and battles. Powell also struggles with the police Captain on the ground, trying to convince him that McClane is a good guy, and trying to stop the criminals. The plot is not sophisticated at all, but it’s success spawns a generation of “Die Hard” style knock-offs. Bruce Willis isn’t the greatest actor, but he knows how to handle a gun and shoot up bad guys. It’s fun to notice how clean he always looks at the beginning of each “Die Hard” and than how torn up he gets at the end. His rugged style and methods of outsmarting the terrorists is entertaining, with plenty of comical dialogue along the way he always exchanges with his enemies. Most of this movie is made up of gun fights between McClane and the bad guys, with his only challenge being to stay alive, and try to unite himself with his separated wife, who has been negotiating with the lead terrorist Hans, from the beginning. One thing typical about the late eighty’s era of movies, is the stereotypes of the FBI. For some reason, they are always portrayed as idiots with big heads trying to run an operation they have no control of. The stupidity of the FBI agents in “Die Hard” gets annoying, although their appearance doesn’t happen till late in the movie, while the L.A. police just sit outside the building leaving all the fighting up to McClane. The action remains constant, even up until the very end, when you think everything is over with. Cool effects and good choreography during the hand to hand fight scenes made it all that much better. “Die Hard” is corny in many ways, but you have to love it. John McClane becomes a super hero and is fun to follow throughout the entire series. I find it very hard to believe if you haven’t seen this movie yet. It’s a classic, and an action gem.
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