Review 477: Die Hard
Die Hard is a one of a kind action film.
Based on the thriller novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a NYPD det. who flies to L.A. to reconcile with his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) at an office Christmas party. However, a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) launch a heist on the building and take the staff hostage, so John launches a one man war against the group.
At first glance this premise sounds ludicrous, but the lunacy is part of the fun and appeal of this film and the initial set up is actually quite simple.
When we first meet John McClane, he hasn't come to L.A. looking for trouble or because he's on a case or anything like that. He just wants to reconcile with his wife and just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He has the situation thrust upon him and is put in the position where he has no choice as well as the fact that its his duty as a police officer to save the hostages.
Having the majority of the action take place in L.A. skyscraper lends itself to a lot of exciting, tense and creative action. Because the films setting, the action, characters and the overall story are all condensed and simplified in such a way that it allows these elements to properly shine through and develop.
Die Hard's light hearted approach to what it depicts as a very serious, tense and life threatening situation for all of its characters involved, incorporating many jokes and one-liners keep this film fun, nimble and enjoyable from start to finish.
Overall the main appeal of Die Hard lies in it's simplicity and the simplicity of how it's constructed.
Director John McTiernan's direction is superbly sharp deftly blending suspense and thrills non stop and moving the films 132 min narrative at an appropriately brisk pace. The cinematography is splendid and captures the films beauty of the films Christmas setting and suspenseful atmosphere. The production design is terrific, the costumes are superb, the score by Michael Kamen is excitingly bombastic, the make is rich,
Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman are Excellent in this film as the hero: John McClane and the villain, Hans Gruber respectively. Their contrasting personalities with the sarcastic natures of McClane vs. the darkly whimsical Gruber makes this hero/villain pairing instantly iconic. Their interplay is just as entertaining as it is tense which is a remarkable feat as neither of them share any scenes for the majority of the film.
5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
Based on the thriller novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a NYPD det. who flies to L.A. to reconcile with his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) at an office Christmas party. However, a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) launch a heist on the building and take the staff hostage, so John launches a one man war against the group.
At first glance this premise sounds ludicrous, but the lunacy is part of the fun and appeal of this film and the initial set up is actually quite simple.
When we first meet John McClane, he hasn't come to L.A. looking for trouble or because he's on a case or anything like that. He just wants to reconcile with his wife and just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He has the situation thrust upon him and is put in the position where he has no choice as well as the fact that its his duty as a police officer to save the hostages.
Having the majority of the action take place in L.A. skyscraper lends itself to a lot of exciting, tense and creative action. Because the films setting, the action, characters and the overall story are all condensed and simplified in such a way that it allows these elements to properly shine through and develop.
Die Hard's light hearted approach to what it depicts as a very serious, tense and life threatening situation for all of its characters involved, incorporating many jokes and one-liners keep this film fun, nimble and enjoyable from start to finish.
Overall the main appeal of Die Hard lies in it's simplicity and the simplicity of how it's constructed.
Director John McTiernan's direction is superbly sharp deftly blending suspense and thrills non stop and moving the films 132 min narrative at an appropriately brisk pace. The cinematography is splendid and captures the films beauty of the films Christmas setting and suspenseful atmosphere. The production design is terrific, the costumes are superb, the score by Michael Kamen is excitingly bombastic, the make is rich,
Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman are Excellent in this film as the hero: John McClane and the villain, Hans Gruber respectively. Their contrasting personalities with the sarcastic natures of McClane vs. the darkly whimsical Gruber makes this hero/villain pairing instantly iconic. Their interplay is just as entertaining as it is tense which is a remarkable feat as neither of them share any scenes for the majority of the film.
5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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