Die Hard (1988)

The definitive holiday action classic is undoubtedly "Die Hard".

For those who haven't seen it, this film features a New York City cop, his estranged wife, and several others held hostage by alleged terrorists during a Christmas party in a skyscraper in Los Angeles. Bruce Willis plays John McClane, the NYC cop.

"Die Hard" marked Bruce Willis' breakthrough into the movie industry. Before this film, action heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone seemed as though they were in a video game, with unlimited ammo, taking on hundreds of bad guys that would seemingly spawn from nowhere.

"Die Hard" paved the way for a series of more realistic action movies. The action was confined to just 13 bad guys, all armed. John McClane, on the other hand, was unarmed. The entire plot unfolded in a single location, the fictional Nakatomi Plaza (also known as the Fox Plaza building), and the bad guys were holding John McClane's wife hostage. The alleged terrorists seemingly held all the cards. However, they were not aware of this, and neither, apparently, was John McClane.

The alleged terrorists in "Die Hard" were led by Hans Gruber, a character with a plan so devious you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel. Hans is more complex than a simple terrorist. The entire film could have been remade from the perspective of Hans Gruber, and I believe it would be equally interesting. Hans is portrayed by the incomparable Alan Rickman.

The only weakness in "Die Hard" lies with the police and FBI agents, who are largely ineffective and frankly seem terrible at their jobs. They merely serve to provide Bruce Willis with moral support. They are the only letdown in an otherwise tightly-woven holiday action thriller.

Initially, this film was intended to be an office-based version of "Rambo". The role was turned down by all the major stars before it was offered to Bruce Willis, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Richard Gere, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Burt Reynolds, Nick Nolte, Mel Gibson, Don Johnson, Richard Dean Anderson, Paul Newman, James Caan, and Al Pacino.

Willis, known mainly for the TV series "Moonlighting," initially also declined the role due to his contractual obligations to "Moonlighting," but when Shepherd became pregnant, the show's production was halted for eleven weeks, giving Willis enough time to accept the role.

A number of TV stars had struggled to transition to the silver screen, and in fact, Willis' latest film had just been released before "Die Hard", and it was a total failure. So fearing audience reaction, studio executives took Willis' face off all the "Die Hard" posters, minimized his name to a very small font, and instead emphasized the fictional Nakatomi Plaza (Fox Plaza building).

Much like the police and the villains in the movie, the studio executives didn't believe Bruce Willis could pull it off. However, it turns out, Willis was perfect for the role. His ability to play a relatable, ordinary man, whose marriage is on the rocks, who bleeds just like the rest of us, is spot on. In fact, the only defining attribute McClane seems to have is determination, persistently coming up with new ways to be a thorn in the side of the bad guys.

Note: When I initially saw this film, I rated it as a 7/10. Now, unequivocally and definitively, I rate it as a 7.5/10... maybe even an 8/10.



You should not watch Die Hard if...

• You are under the age of 17 due to its R rating.
• You dislike action movies.
• Images of violence and blood disturb you.
• You are not interested in movies with crime themes.
• You prefer movies with deep philosophical or complex plot lines.

Whats the deal with...
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:

What's the deal with "Die Hard"? I mean, here's this New York City cop, John McClane, right? He flies all the way to Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife at her office Christmas party. Because nothing says 'romance' quite like fluorescent lighting and stale office coffee, am I right?

And these German terrorists, they're the most well-groomed bad guys you've ever seen. The leader, Hans Gruber, is smoother than a buttered bowling ball. And for a guy who's supposed to be a criminal mastermind, he sure seems surprised when a lone cop starts messing up his plans. I mean, did he not think there would be any security at a major corporation's headquarters?

And let's talk about McClane. This guy's running around a skyscraper barefoot, stepping on glass, and still manages to outrun everyone! I can't even make it to my fridge barefoot without stubbing a toe. And how about his catchphrase, "Yippee Ki-Yay"? I'm not sure where he picked that one up, but it sounds more like he's headed to a rodeo than a gunfight.

Then there's the LAPD. They bring in an armored vehicle, and it gets taken out by a missile. So, what's their next move? They bring in a helicopter. I'm no tactical expert, but if they've got missiles, maybe an airborne approach isn't the best idea?

And let's not forget our favorite limo driver, Argyle. He's having his own party in the basement while McClane's upstairs dealing with terrorists. And when he finally gets into the action, he punches out a terrorist with a single punch. Where was this guy when McClane was stepping on glass barefoot?

In the end, though, you gotta love "Die Hard". It's like a Christmas party gone wrong, but with more explosions and less awkward small talk. Because nothing says 'Holiday cheer' quite like Bruce Willis hurling a dead terrorist onto a cop car, right?

People who loved this movie also loved...
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Both "Die Hard" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" are action-packed, adrenaline-fueled films that are iconic within the genre. They both feature strong, charismatic lead characters (Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger) who use their wits and physical prowess to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. The movies also offer thrilling stunts, intense shootouts, and memorable one-liners that have stood the test of time. In addition, they both weave emotional subplots into the narrative, adding depth to the hard-hitting action sequences. The high-stakes plots and their well-paced execution make both films captivating from start to finish.

The Terminator (1984)

Devotees of "Die Hard" will enjoy "The Terminator" because of its similar exhilarating blend of action, suspense, and thrills. Both movies feature a tenacious, resourceful protagonist fighting against overwhelming odds. In "Die Hard," it's John McClane against a group of terrorists, while in "The Terminator," it's Sarah Connor against a relentless cyborg assassin. Each film packs a punch with its intense action sequences, high-stakes chases, and explosive set pieces, all underpinned by a compelling narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Furthermore, both movies are quintessential 80s action classics that helped define the genre, featuring iconic performances from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Both "Die Hard" (1988) and "Lethal Weapon" (1987) are iconic action thrillers that defined the genre in the late '80s, complete with charismatic yet flawed heroes, memorable villains, clever dialogue, and well-choreographed action sequences. They both balance intense action with humor and drama, and feature protagonists - Bruce Willis' John McClane and Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs - who are ordinary cops thrust into extraordinary situations, using their wits and skills to outsmart and outfight their adversaries. Therefore, fans of the high-stakes action, witty one-liners, relatable characters, and thrilling storytelling in "Die Hard" will find much to love in "Lethal Weapon".

Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Devotees of "Die Hard" (1988) will also love "Lethal Weapon 2" (1989) because both films offer a thrilling blend of action, adventure, and comedy, imbued with engaging plots and charismatic performances. Like "Die Hard," "Lethal Weapon 2" features a memorable and relatable hero in Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs, who, similar to Bruce Willis' John McClane, uses wit and gritty determination to battle antagonists. The films also share a similar tone, balancing intense action sequences with lighter comedic moments, making "Lethal Weapon 2" a must-see for any "Die Hard" enthusiast.

Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

Admirers of "Die Hard" will also appreciate "Lethal Weapon 3" due to its similar blend of high-octane action, compelling characters, and clever humor. Both films are classic examples of the action genre in the late 80s and early 90s, featuring charismatic leads, engaging plotlines involving rogue cops, intense fight sequences, and memorable one-liners. They share a comparable balance of suspense and comedy, creating an entertaining mix that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats while providing occasional comedic relief.

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Buffs of "Die Hard" will love "Spider-Man 2" due to its similar mix of high-stakes action, charismatic lead, and engaging plot. Like "Die Hard," "Spider-Man 2" provides thrilling, edge-of-your-seat action sequences that keep viewers hooked. Both films also have charismatic leads (Bruce Willis in "Die Hard" and Tobey Maguire in "Spider-Man 2") who are forced to rise to the occasion despite their personal struggles. Additionally, the plot of "Spider-Man 2," much like "Die Hard," is characterized by a blend of personal drama, humor, and tension, giving the action context and making the stakes feel real and personal.

Speed (1994):

If you enjoyed the palpable tension and edge-of-your-seat excitement in "Die Hard", then "Speed" should be right up your alley. Like "Die Hard", this film takes place largely in a confined space, in this case, a city bus that will explode if its speed drops below 50 mph. With Keanu Reeves doing a commendable job in the lead role, this movie offers an adrenaline-fueled cinematic ride with a simple yet gripping premise.

The Rock (1996):

"Die Hard" fans are likely to appreciate "The Rock" not just for its exhilarating action sequences but also its distinctive humor under extreme situations. This movie, directed by Michael Bay, balances explosive action with a good story, featuring a memorable and captivating performance by Nicolas Cage, who teams up with Sean Connery to prevent a group of rogue military men from launching a nerve gas attack from Alcatraz prison.

Cliffhanger (1993):

The high-stakes suspense and action of "Die Hard" finds a parallel in "Cliffhanger". Sylvester Stallone plays a mountaineer in the Rocky Mountains who is coerced into helping a group of criminals locate a lost treasure. Packed with exhilarating stunts and breath-taking hazardous situations, this movie offers ample thrill and suspense for fans of action-packed cinema.

Con Air (1997):

Like "Die Hard", "Con Air" is an action-packed thrill ride with a compelling everyman hero placed in an intense situation. The movie is about a recently paroled U.S. Ranger, played by Nicolas Cage, who finds himself trapped in a prisoner transport plane when the passengers seize control. It's an entertaining spectacle of non-stop, high-stakes action that should satisfy fans of "Die Hard".

Sudden Death (1995):

If you loved the high-stakes setting and underdog protagonist of "Die Hard", "Sudden Death" should certainly catch your attention. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as a firefighter who takes on a group of terrorists during a hockey game. Similar to "Die Hard", the protagonist is a regular Joe who is thrust into an extraordinary situation and uses his wit and will to survive and save the day.

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