1988’s “Die Hard”, directed by John McTiernan.
Starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov,
Clarence Gilyard Jr, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, James
Shigeta, William Atherton, and De’voreaux White.
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound (Don J.
Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, and Al Overton Jr), Best Film
Editing (Frank J. Urioste and John F. Link), Best Sound Effects Editing (Stephen
Hunter Flick and Richard Shorr), and Best Visual Effects (Richard Edlund, Al Di
Sarro, Brent Boates, and Thaine Morris).
What is it about?
New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) flies out to a Los
Angeles high rise to surprise his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia). McClane discovers some key issues: Californians are much more alien when compared to
the comfortable hostility of New Yorkers, Bedelia is using her maiden name
instead of her last name by marriage, and a group of European terrorists have taken the
building’s Christmas Party attendees hostage (including Bedelia). Lead by the
charismatic Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), the terrorists are after the company’s
bearer bonds, and aren’t afraid to take some innocent lives to get them.
McClane may be a trained police officer, but he’s outgunned, and caught with
his shoes off- will he be able to save the day?
Why is it worth seeing?
“Die Hard” is a timeless classic that is in the conversation
for the greatest action film of all time (and, depending on the crowd: best
Christmas movie of all time). It’s dominance of the genre can be best
exemplified in how all other action films made afterwards make reference to it
(including the Die Hard Franchise itself). Whatever the narrative, studios will
be sure to market press quotes with such tributes as “it’s Die Hard on a Bus!”
or “it’s Die Hard in the White House!”, etc. Such is the influence of the film.
With an amazing script by Stephan De Souza, “Die Hard” is a
slam bang action picture, full of interlocking puzzle pieces set within the maze
of a sometimes claustrophobic office building. Within it’s confines, a chess
match of kick ass proportions and a great character study takes place between
it’s protagonist and antagonist. The good guy, and the many bad guys play off
of each other beautifully, and McClane finds many ways to be a fly in the
ointment for the baddies. It’s also especially an underrated comedy, with tons
of inspired bits that few other action movies provide.
Initially there were multiple actors considered for the
iconic role of irreverent cop John McClane, but the relatively unknown Willis
was cast instead (known previously for a TV show called “Moonlighting”), and
after 5 entries (and counting), it’s impossible to imagine anyone else playing
him. While John McClane has plenty of smart aleck comments and an A-hole New
York City sensibility, what sets the character apart from the rest of the
ripped abs and funny accent crowd is his vulnerability. Willis goes up through 35
floors of hell and back, with no shoes and almost no emotional support. We see
his isolation, and feel his fear, his pain, and his self-doubt.
It’s surprising that after so many rip offs and inferior
sequels that Hollywood can’t figure out what made Willis’ initial portrayal so
successful. Yes, the wisecracks and devil-may-care attitude can go far as you
gleefully blow people up, fill them full of lead, and drop them from great
heights- but as hundreds of inferior action movies have proven, it takes a lot
more than fighting a penguin suit to make a great action star. It’s being able to relate to them and wonder if
you could do what they’re doing in the face of fear. As McClane prepares to do
a ridiculous stunt to save his life, he wonders aloud to himself what he’s
doing. It’s an unusual response to a desperate situation, since heroism is
supposed to be about always being so sure of oneself in the face of adversity.
But it’s the right choice, and it makes us wonder if this maniacal act of self
preservation is actually going to work for this terrified hero. The stakes are
high- and so is the spike in adrenaline.
Every hero needs a villain, and the casting of Alan Rickman,
as the Eastern European terrorist Hans Gruber, is an inspired move. With a
background mainly in theatre, “Die Hard” was his first film, and he’s so good
in it that it’s almost maddening- to be that assured and effective in this role
as essentially a rookie... Rickman leaves no stone unturned as the cold and
calculating Gruber- thinking fast on his feet, deliciously hating every speck
of McClane’s involvement, and even acting like he’s acting at one point. It’s a
masterful performance. But there’s more: Gruber needs a crew to help him pull
the job, and his lackeys at times have more personality than some protagonists
in lesser movies. It’s an embarrassment of riches, and that’s before mentioning
the clowns of local and federal law enforcement masquerading as professionals outside
the pivotal building’s battle ground.
With Jan De Bont’s amazing cinematography helping the movie
to age gracefully, and Michael Kamen’s memorable and at times sinister yuletide
score in the background, “Die Hard”’s kinetic yippee ki yay action, surprising character
depths, and hilarious comedic beats are a Christmas treat worth visiting any
day of the year.
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