The Die Hard franchise, four action films that began with Die Hard way back in 1988. They are centered around the character of John McClane. The films have been imitated the world over, there's also been several video games based on them as well as a comic book series.
In between producing and writing, I've put together my thoughts and comments on Bruce Willis' finest actions - the Die Hard film series...
Die Hard (1988)
Director John McTiernan's Die hard is the archetype hostage action flick, often imitated rarely surpassed. It's the sleeper hit that made Bruce Willis a star and remains sinisterly great fun to this day.
It captures that Christmas feeling perfectly with a distinguished score from the late Michael Kamen and some fine cinematography by the then unknown Jan de Bont (Speed Director).
The supporting cast are all first rate and include William Atherton, the late Paul Gleason, Bonnie Bedelia and the excellent Reginald VelJohnson as the typical cop Sgt. Al Powell. Alan Rickman, probably in his finest performance, is the heist leader Hans Gruber. His un-stereotype bad guy has oddly become a stereotype after being copied in countless action films.
Packed with compulsory 80's one liners, over the top action and a well written script, Die Hard remains a great piece of entertainment.
Die Hard 2 (1990)
Bruce Willis is back as everyday man and cop John McClane in Die hard 2, Yipee-ki-yay! Renny Harlin follows John McTiernan's original with the same action packed spirit.
Willis is again on witty top form and the story quite meaty for an action, wisely based on Walter Wager's novel "58 Minutes" giving it a back bone. A team of terrorists is holding the entire airport hostage, as they plan to liberate a drug lord. Its an adventure with a a nice little twist. And it's good fun watching McClane tries to outwit the terrorists.
There are some great action scenes and admittedly it has some comedy, but what makes Die hard 2 interesting is the snowy night setting, Wilis' desperation, it's dark, it's edgy, there's a lot of atmosphere, more characters and its not a rehash heist film of the first. In addition, there are some parts where the lead fails, making it a less predictable ride.
Willis is again on top form as the character that made him a film star. Both William Atherton, sleazy paparazzi and Bonnie Bedelia, as McClane's wife return for a second stint. William Sadler who is in profound physical shape is the prefect bad guy. He really brings weight to the role. John Amos deserves a mention and the rest of the supporting cast are clearly dedicated, the acting is of a high standard. There's also cameo from Twinkie eating Reginald VelJohnson (it's a shame they couldn't have fit him in the other sequels). Robert Patrick shows up very briefly prior to 'T2' fame.
Once again Michael Kamen provides an excellent and fitting score, Director Harlin delivers as solid well constructed squeal regardless of some dated effects and far-fetched moments.
All in all it's a strong follow-up and has been often imitated like it's predecessor.
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)
I missed the Christmas feeling of the first two instalments in this summer set blockbuster and some of the characters of the first two films.However, on reviewing the first thing that hit me was the sad echoes of real life 9/11 and one wonders if the film would ever have been given the green light now.
That aside the film is very enjoyable as hungover John McClane and Samuel L. Jackson as Zeus, play witty duo, as they run around New York undertaking tasks set out by Simon played by heister Jeremy Irons.
Die hard fans will find the icing on the cake is the direct link to the first film and for everyone else there's the banter between the leads and action scenes. The story is more complex than most action films and Irons bad guy has a little more depth than the usual villain.
John McTiernan proves once again he knows how to direct and pace a film while Bruce does McClane blindfolded.
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Underworld director Len Wiseman directs the fourth instalment of the Die Hard film series. With a story line that over focuses on today's technology reliant world we live in, 4 is still an entertaining ride.
Almost everything is there, witty one-liners, great action scenes, however, like the third it lacks the 'connection' to the first two films, even though it includes a picture of Holly Gennaro.
Marco Beltrami score is fine and despite Willis getting on in years he puts plenty of life into John McClane. Cliff Curtis is excellent as FBI Deputy Director, action starlet Maggie Q is magnificent and the supporting cast include Kevin Smith and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Justin Long however, appears out of place and possibly miscast.
Redeemably Timothy Olyphant's bad guy Thomas Gabriel is perfect. He's calm and less animated than some stereotypes. I feel that without Olyphant's performance and Willis efforts the film would have been less fun. There's some 'free running' action and the effects are great, but the jet scene was an unnecessary piece of superciliousness. In addition, it feels preachy, McClane's son is nowhere to be seen and the end feels very rushed.
Yeap, it's a mixed review, certainly watch for Olyphant's performance, Wiseman's slick direction and Wilis in his best role. Don't expect too much and no doubt you'll enjoy.
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
A New York cop John Mclane and his son Jack finds themselves caught in a dangerous Russian conspiracy.
Thankfully director John Moore delivers A Good Day to Die hard as an exceptionally fun ride, which goes from one breathtaking action set up to the next.
Although in wrong the place, at the wrong time element has been imitated countless times as one of the henchmen say, "It's not 1986 anymore" and the franchise has had to move with the times. As a result the subtleties and focus on John's character as in the first two Die Hards has been lost with Willis having a hand full of lines and comedy quips albeit why we fell in love with him and what brought Roderick Thorp character Joe Leland (renamed and reworked John Mclane) from novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" to life. The action packed sequels drifted away from Maclane with him prominently having Samuel Jackson and a hacker sidekick respectively arguably diluting the Die Hard 'feel'.
Here writer Skip Woods doesn't give Willis enough meaty dialogue, but its not just a case of the Hollywood star picking up his pay cheque, to Willis' credit he gets plenty to do as he chews on a few great one liners with one or two genuine laugh out moments. Of course Woods gives the obligatory Die Hard twist but at least some effort had gone into adding another surprise.
Jack Reacher's bad guy Jai Courtney is a good addition as Jack McClane and Mary Elizabeth Winstead returns in cameo as daughter Lucy. Only Holly is missing but this is about an absent father, which is only touched on but do you expect depth from a sequel to a surprise 80s action hit? Cole Hauser has a bit part and Sebastian Koch is exceptional with Yuliya Snigir making acceptable focal character. Notable is Radivoje Bukvic as Alik who is as memorable as Alexander Godunov's Karl in the original.
Marco Beltrami is on form, with a few familiar music cues and A Good Day' has plenty of atmosphere thanks to Jonathan Sela's cinematography of Moscow, this coupled with fantastic stunts and Moore's slick fast paced direction ensures a solid visual package.
It may not have the charm of the MTV generation original and clearly panders to high-octane, energy drink, disposable film goer - But that's the beauty of this instalment and what the critics are overlooking A Good Day to Die hard infiltrates and becomes current, it's probably no coincidence that old rockers Rolling Stones most recent track 'Doom and Gloom' closes the film showing Mclane maybe over the hill but he is just a relevant as ever.
