Die Hard

Die Hard

Starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson

Directed by John McTiernan

The Story:
New York City cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) travels to Los Angeles for Christmas to see his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia).  He attends a big shindig at her office complex when it comes under attack by terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who wants to seal millions of dollars in bonds.

McClane manages to evade the first attack and hides in the shadows, picking off Gruber's men one-by-one, aided by Sergeant Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson), who is on the outside with the police.  Gruber grows increasingly frustrated that he cannot catch McClane, which causes him to escalate the hostage situation.

The Synopsis:
There's a saying going around: "There are two types of people in the world - those who believe 'Die Hard' is a Christmas movie, and those who are wrong."  I am on the side of it being a Christmas movie because, even though it doesn't feature the typical Christmastime adventures (shooting men in the head and killing them in violent over-the-top explosions don't seem to send the typical "Christmas love" spirit), it takes place during the Christmas holiday, features Christmas decorations and the holiday is mentioned numerous times (including a darkly humorous scene where McClaine's victim is revealed to the other terrorists wearing a Santa hat with the words "now I have a machine gun, ho-ho-ho."  So, yes, "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie, and one you'll never find on The Hallmark Channel.

Back to the heart of the matter: not only is it a Christmas movie, but it's a thrilling, action-packed adventure from start to finish with dry wit, humor, impressive stunts and even more impressive effects (so much so it earned four Academy Awards, including Sound Effects Editing and Visual Effects).  It's the precursor to modern action films such as "White House Down" and "Olympus Has Fallen," where the lone hero is stuck in a hostage situation where he only has his wits and talent to save the day.

Bruce Willis gives birth to action star John McClane (whom will re-appear in four other "Die Hard" films, each one dwindling a bit in quality) - the smoking, barefoot, sarcastic hero who serves as the ultimate annoyance to Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber.  He is a true action star who keeps us riveted to the screen as he causes explosions, sends bullets flying, falls down elevator shafts, and evades his attackers.

Alan Rickman, proving he was one of Hollywood's biggest unsung actors, also dominates the screen as the terrorist leader Hans Gruber.  He's got a calm demeanor pretty much throughout, seeing McClane as nothing more than an annoying fly buzzing around his head.

What's special about "Die Hard," besides the effects and stunts, is the fact that the film delves deeper into the lives of secondhand characters.  We see McClane's estranged wife as more than just a pawn in a hostage situation, but see that she is every part as calculated as her husband.  Reginald VelJohnson steals the show as the police sergeant who discovers the terrorist attack and calls in the big guns, but still serves as McClane's man on the outside.  He gives a subtle performance that's overshadowed by his humor, but we also see a deeper, more personal side to his character.

As said before, the action is non-stop.  The terrorists attack the building around thirty minutes into the film, and doesn't relent until the end.  Sure, it's the typical Hollywood film with the typical Hollywood ending, so there was no real worries that McClane would prevail, but it's like a roller coaster: you know you'll be safe, but you really enjoy the ride.  The film also managed to expose two of my biggest fears: heights and tight spaces, as McClane almost falls off the roof of the forty-story-tall building, and as he maneuvers his way through a small air duct.

Not to mention Willis gives birth to one of cinema's most iconic lines: "Yippee-ki-yay, mother******."

The Summary:
For a film released in the late 80s, "Die Hard" surprisingly stands the test of time due to its then-groundbreaking visual effects and heavy stunt work, making John McClane a household name and solidifying Bruce Willis as a bonafide action star.  It's a perfect Christmas movie.

The Score: A