Die Hard [1988]
Directed by: John McTiernan
Written by: Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. Based on the novel “Nothing Lasts Forever” by Roderick Thorp
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason
The cinematic equivalent of a theme-park rollercoaster. Sure, its overall tone is mostly cheesy and everything about it screams “eighties” (you decide if that’s a good or bad thing) but this is huge, preposterous fun. Things blow up spectacularly, stereotypical bad European guys get beaten up and bloodied, John McClane (Willis) cracks some witty one-liners.
The writing, the cinematography and Bruce Willis at the top of his game make this an undisputable action classic which some consider to be the alternative Christmas movie. It’s Alan Rickman, though, who steals the whole show as “exceptional thief” Hans Gruber. I know this came before, but I didn’t think of Severus Snape once. Rickman is splendid as the memorable baddie. I have to say, I had a feeling I wouldn’t enjoy this one, but I’m happy to report I did. Yippee-ki-yay, motherfuckers!
I think all four are a lot of fun.
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Thanks, Steve. Maybe I’ll check out the sequels soon.
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Great post on a highly entertaining action movie.
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Thanks! It was very fun 🙂
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Yes!! You finally watched it! Glad you liked it. I LOVE it. My favorite Christmas film, as I’ve said umpteen million times.
I’d recommend skipping Die Hard 2: Die Harder and avoid Die Hard: with a Vengeance, with your life. But I’d highly recommend Live Free or Die Hard, and then you may perhaps join me in anticipating A Good Day to Die Hard. It’s my most anticipated for 2013.
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I guess I’ll eventually have to see a Die Hard sequel but right now I can’t say I’m excited for AGDTDH.
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An action classic!!!!
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Definitely!
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Great fun this one, a real action classic, glad you gt around to seeing it. I’m not a fan of the second one, thought it was a bit boring, but i do quite like the third. Haven’t bothered with the fourth though and I doubt I will the fifth either.
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Yeah, it’ll probably be the same for me.
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I’m just not sure I can see Brucey as a full on action hero any more! I lost interest when I heard something about him riding on top of a fighter jet or something in the fourth one. Think it’s time he hung up the wife beater vest! 😉
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Haha, yeah. Maybe he should migrate to lighter roles, like the one he had in Moonrise Kingdom.
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nicely written Fernando. short but meaningful review for a classic. this film was definitely a roller coaster ride. and yes, Alan Rickman steals the show. i would recommend seeing Die Hard 2 (Die Harder) if you decide to view the sequels.
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Thanks, Martin! And for the suggestion, too.
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Great review, Fernando. Love that poster, too! I haven’t seen any of the Die Hard films, although every Christmas Rob attempts to get me to watch this. It hasn’t happened yet, so maybe next Christmas will be the time!
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Thanks, Amy 🙂 Appreciate it! So far, the first one is the only one I’ve seen but it’s very fun. You should definitely check it out!
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One of my favorite Christmas films 🙂 nice write up Fernando
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Thanks! 😉
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i told you i was waiting for your die hard review, last time I looked HBO Go had bunch of the Die Hard films available
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Glad you and I are finally in the Die Hard club 🙂
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Yeah, me too. It was good to finally see it after all these years. I had a lot of fun.
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