Production Year: 1988 - Action/Adventure - Director: John McTiernan - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Paul Gleason, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, Alexander Godunov, Robert Davi, James Shigeta, Alan Rickman, Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia
You know how it's going to end, like with all action films .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
It took me a long time to get around to watching the Die Hard films, somehow I'd missed them. What a fool I've been...
Made in the height of the 80's/90's action/adventure phase, Die Hard stands out from the crowd despite still having many of the usual action characterists. Could it be that we have a more well thought out story? Better defined characters? Who knows but what we end up with is the story of ordinary cop John McClane getting caught up in the biggest robbery the world has ever seen. Although pretending that his crime is a political one Hans Gruber's holding of the Nakatomi building has nothing to do with the hostages he has taken - and everything to do with the fortune held in it's vaults. It's up to our hero to kill the bad guys, convince the good guys, and save his wife - who is one of the hostages.
We all know how it's going to ultimately end but these films were more about action rather than the final outcome. This was truely the only thing I disliked about the film, it's the journey we have to take that can throw up some excitement and Die Hard has it in spades, taking us on a twisting turning tale with action, intrigue, suspense, and enough twists and turns to send a snake dizzy that made it so brilliant.
Willis is excellent as wise cracking McClane and is the perfect counter balance to the smooth ruthlessness of Alan Rickman's fabulous Hans Gruber. The rest of the cast know that they have little more to do than avoid bullets or bleed quietly on the floor but still give it their all and it works perfectly.
The action and stunts are exceptional and should satisfy even the most demanding of action fans. Obviously not a family film but certainly one that needs watching and certainly the best of it's kind. I'm undecided whether it is the best Die Hard film from the trilogy, but it certainly stands out.
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How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Good
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