On D List of Movie Reviews

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Die Hard (1988)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 4/03, 12/03, 1/06, 6/11, 5/21

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1/06: What I love about Die Hard is how real John McClane is and, even better, how direct Hans Gruber is.

Unlike most movies, Die Hard is a thrill machine that never lets down from start to finish. It's a surprise that Alan Rickman wasn't Oscar-nominated because his character is a "finally...an intelligent villain."

The script is well-done, and the special effects extravaganza further intensifies the viewing experience. Just like Predator, John McTiernan blends in the action-packed scenes with John McClane's heroics.

All in all, there's nothing like Die Hard.

6/11: Die Hard is a one intense roller-coaster machine that refuses to cease.

The special effects are still spectacular as ever. The realism that's maintained by the characters is what makes the film work. Alan Rickman is the best with classic lines such as:

"Nice suit. John Phillips, London. I have two myself. Rumor has it Arafat buys his there."

"And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer. Benefits of a classical education."

"Shoot...the...glass."

"I'm going to count to three. There will not be a four."

"I must have missed 60 Minutes. What are you saying?"

"Due to the Nakatomi Corporation's legacy of greed around the globe, they are about to be taught a lesson in the real use of power. You will be witnesses."

"I am an exceptional thief, Mrs. McClane."

It's big stuff, and I bow to you, Mr. Hans Gruber. With the exception of the following two sequels, it's safe to say Die Hard and 12 Monkeys are probably the only films that Bruce Willis can be taken seriously as an actor.

All in all, I'll never forget my experience of seeing Die Hard at the theatre in 1988.

5/21: There's only one Die Hard, and the rest are imitations.

Somebody from the DVD commentary made a good point of why Sudden Death didn't pan out the way it should've in terms of box-office returns: the movie lacked everything that made Die Hard work.

It starts with an excellent script, which can sometimes be funny, with a lot of twists and turns and real-world problems. Then, there's the cast of capable thespians who can create characters, no matter how small or big they are. Added to the mix are the wizardy of the special effects team and the smooth direction by John McTiernan. Hence, Die Hard has been converted into a thrill-a-minute actioner. There has been nothing like it before or since then.

Yes, the film made Bruce Willis an international superstar although he was long famous before then through Moonlighting. But it's Alan Rickman who's even more impressive. There hasn't been a villain with this much intelligence like Hans Gruber. It's a refreshing change, and thus, Alan Rickman was robbed of an Oscar nomination.

There are tons of great performances, but I'll like to mention a couple. Reginald VelJohnson is underrated as McClane's conscience while he needs to sort out his feelings. The support is there as he forges ahead while enduring the pain of broken glasses on his feet and being shot in the back. On the other hand, Alexander Godunov was a famous ballet dancer before turning to acting, and this is the film that made him memorable as a tough-as-nails bad guy.

All in all, whenever I watch a boring or pretentious film, all I can think of is: "I'd rather watch Die Hard."