Die Hard




Welcome to the party pal.

Many claim that this movie revolutionized the action film genre. That's not really too much of a stretch. At that time Arnie and Stallone were on top of the game with their iconic but one-dimensional characters like Rambo. Die Hard changed all that. Nearly every action movie made since then has been compared against it, and it has become the favorite of many an action lover.

Though they are separated, John McClane (Bruce Willis) goes to visit his wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and the rest of his family for Christmas. He meets his wife at a Christmas party in her company's building. Not very long afterwards, a group of well-armed and organized men seize the building and take everyone hostage. That is except for John, who happens to be a cop. He slips away with nothing more than his wits, handgun and bare feet.

Elements that don't seem so extraordinary now were what initially set this movie apart from its competitors. John is a fairly smart cop from New York up against some steep odds. He gets punched, he gets kicked and he bleeds. That's quite a change up from some of the other 80's flicks. He's also alone. Sure he's sharper and has got more muscles than the average cop, but there is never a second where his vulnerability is doubted. It's the everyday man fighting for his life. The villains are also of a refreshing stock. In the end they're little more than thieves, but even the least important of them is given a little attention. Their leader, Hans Gruper (Alan Rickman), is even more of a switch up. He's educated and sophisticated, though no less ruthless and determined because of it. He and McClane make perfect polar opposites.

And then there's the real meat of the movie. Superior characters or not, this movie hinges on its action, and it does not disappoint. The gun fights and especially the brawls are raw and unrelenting. Incredible stunt work is also utilized as the setting often calls for rigorous situations. The explosions themselves are pretty awesome too. But all this wouldn't have been half as good without the superb editing. Kudos must go to the makers, who also make the parts without action tense and thrilling.

Die Hard is incidentally known for its humor almost as much for its action. The amusingly profane McClane gives out more than a few classic one-liners. Though the script is on the whole very well done, there are a few hitches. The buddy relationship between Sgt. Powell (Reginald VelJohnson as the good cop) is decent, but it does get a little thick at times. Characters like the police chief, the desperate newsman and the two FBI agents add little to nothing. The choice of music is also not the greatest at times.

It is ironic that Bruce Willis was the fifth choice to play John McClane and a risky fifth choice at that. It's hard to imagine anyone who could've done better though. He's the perfect guy for the job, and this was his springboard to fame. As mentioned before, Alan Rickman likewise owns his role. With his trademark accent and contradictory manner, he makes for an altogether different yet effective bad guy.

Enough said.



-The Gnome