Rating: 
Summary: Great Sequel.
Review: John McClane ( Bruce Willis) is spending yet another Christmas
with more Terrorist then his previous encounter at the Nakotome
Plaza in Los Angeles. Entertaining, Action packed and fast paced
sequel that never lets the thrills go.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Action, Less emotion
Review: The second movie is not quite as good as the first, something gets lost, but it does hold it's own. Die Hard 2: Die Harder is almost a repeat of the first. This time, terrorists take control of the Washington DC airport. They have demands they want fulfilled (this is where the second differs from the first in that the terrorists in the first are after something more, but I won't ruin it), and they are more military-like. McClane is at the Airport waiting for his wife to land. The terrorists seize command of the control tower functions from an offsite area and threaten to crash planes if they do not get what they want. McClane's wife, Holly is stuck in one of those planes. What ensues is action, straight forward, with McClane getting bloody and bruised as he fights his way through the terrorists, Airport Security and Military soldiers. Die Hard 2: Die Harder is a good action flick, and fairly smart. Give credit to the book, '52 Minutes' that it was based on for the concept. The book is an excellent read, very fast paced. The movie borrows the idea and then moves away from it completely. Still, Renny Harlin is a good action director and he pulls off an entertaining piece of work. While missing the mark with the emotional level and filling it in with more violence, the movie holds up but is burdened with not being as good as the original.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite like Iwo Jima...
Review: All right! One of action cinema's biggest draws is back! And you know what that means: lotsa firefights, meatier exit wounds, throat-slashing, more stuff blowin' up, and even a guy ground up in a 747's turbine engine! And you thought ultraviolent action flicks were getting tame. Oh yeah, let's not forget that 'death by icicle through the eye' scene... yeesh. Of course, considering most folks' feelings about air travel nowadays, you might be of the belief that this movie probably ain't the best thing to watch right now. Personally, I think it's the duty of every hard-core action-flick aficionado to watch and enjoy this movie, in spite of its reminders of unfortunate real-life events. Hey, we can't let the terrorists win, now can we? Anyway, time for me to get off the soap box and back to the review. Although I consider this to be the weakest of the Die Hard trilogy, it's still a pretty awesome experience. There's no shortage of memorable action sequences and plenty of that trademark Bruce Willis man-of-action attitude. Also included are a few future big-time TV stars. Future "NYPD Blue" star Dennis Franz plays a PO'd chief of airport police (and just when you thought he'd gotten beyond being type-cast). And let's not forget an all-too-brief showing by future 'T2' and 'X-Files' star Robert Patrick as one of the bad-guy minions. But there is one thing that brings this flick down a notch: Marvin, the somewhat-dense WWII veteran janitor. He's probably the most annoying bit of cinematic comic relief the other side of Jar Jar Binks! Oh, all right-- he's not nearly quite as annoying as Jar Jar (come to think of it, no one is!), but he's just bothersome enough for me to wanna "just like Iwo Jima" him right up alongside his head each time he's on screen! But, after viewing the bonus disc, I realized it could've been a lot worse: a few of the deleted scenes include more dumb shenanigans with this yutz! Speaking of bonus features: in the feature-length commentary track director Renny Harlin discusses how there were some occasions where they had to manufacture snow (both 'natural' and synthetic) for many of the exterior settings, which were shot all over the US (not just Hollywood or DC). He also points out a few bloopers & inconsistencies in the film. Like when McClane's on the airport pay phone, you can see a logo on the phone box that reads, 'Pacific Bell'. The only problem there: DC is on the Atlantic coast! Then there's the elderly lady airliner passenger who somehow managed to sneak her stun-gun on board. Somehow, I doubt that in real life she'd have been allowed on the plane with this device back then, let alone now. But, since it was a vital part of a 'come-uppance' scene featuring the smarmy news reporter from the first DH, you're just gonna have to suspend disbelief here. Other bonus disc features include a couple of behind-the-scenes documentaries, interview reels, the aforementioned deleted scenes, trailers, and TV spots-pretty much what you'd expect from Fox's 5-Star Collection discs. And, also as expected, the picture & sound quality is excellent! But my all-time fave feature on this set: you can fast-forward through the FBI/Interpol copyright warnings and preview ads! Sigh... if only all DVDs were like that... 'Late
Rating:
Summary: "Oh, we're just up to our *** in terrorists, John!"
Review: While "Die Hard 2" isn't a sequel that eclipses or hits the level the first one hits, it is a rather intense action film that does it's job correctly (despite the numerous silly circumstances). Bruce Willis returns as John McClane, a cop who just should consider being a shut-in after surviving a terrorist siege in Los Angeles. Now, as he expects to pick up his wife at the airport for a family Christmas, everything goes to pot as mercenaries hold planes above the airport hostage to rescue an incoming drug lord. Boasting a few surprising action sequences (a battle at a terminal under construction, and a daring escape from a cargo plane), some horrifying twists (the mercs make good on their word to "penalize" those who try to stop them), and some rather inventive camerawork make up a solid sequel. The Special Edition DVD boasts some great extras, including a commentary by director Renny Harlin which covers a lot of ground (appearances by then-unknown actors John Leguizamo and Robert Patrick, the hellish shooting of the film, and how Harlin was invloved in editing TWO movies at once!) and some visual effect breakdowns, "making of" documentaries, deleted scenes, trailers, and TV ads. If you enjoy the film, then this is definitely for you!
Rating: 
Summary: Renny Harlin does it again.
Review: Leave it to hack director Renny Harlin to ruin what could have been an outstanding sequel. I never expect a sequel to match the original, But, this was beyond mere disappointment. Despite an very good cast, decent plot, and huge budget, Harlin managed to come up with a true stinker, no better than a Steven Seagal snoozer. Perhaps it was the fact that the original is, in my opinion, the perfect action movie in every way; cast, script, editing, plot, character arcs. If UCLA or NYU film school were to give a class on action movies, Die Hard would be the epitome of the genre, followed closely by The Rock, which is only marred by the gratuitous car chase through San Francisco. Why is Bruce Willis' character suddenly an L.A. cop in Die Hard 2? You can't just transfer between major metropolitan police forces, like some businessman changing offices. Couldn't they find any NYPD badges in the studio prop shop? Also, Pacific Bell is not the telephone company at Washington-Dulles airport. duh! As much as I love the original Die hard, I hate Die Hard 2, if you couldn't tell.
Rating:
Summary: The One-Man Wrecking Crew Returns
Review: There are days-- and everybody has them-- when no matter what you do things just don't go the way you planned, and by the end of the day you're thinking maybe you should've just kicked back and had that second cup of coffee. And on a day like that, you can bet the odds are pretty good that even lightening can, in fact, strike the same person twice, which is exactly what happens in the action packed "Die Hard 2," directed by Renny Harlin, and starring Bruce Willis as LAPD Detective John McClane. It's Christmas time again, and McClane is at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., awaiting the arrival of his wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), whose plane is scheduled to land within a couple of hours. It's snowing, the weather is chancy and the traffic in the air is heavy; still and all, things are good, and McClane is looking forward to spending the holidays with Holly and her parents. What he doesn't know is that there are some people waiting in the wings to change all that-- and they are about to make life miserable for McClane and everyone within their proximity. It just so happens that a deposed drug lord, General Ramon Esperanza (Franco Nero), is being extradited to the U.S. to stand trial for cocaine trafficking, and his plane is scheduled to touch down at Dulles shortly. but he doesn't intend to stay around long. A small army of mercenaries-- all former U.S. Army commandos-- are in the process of being deployed in and around the airport, with the intention of doing what they do best: Making war and creating havoc, and effecting the escape of the man to whom they have sworn allegiance, General Esperanza. Under the command of the fanatic and psychotic Colonel Stuart (William Sadler), the mercenaries are ruthless, their tactics are brutal and they are determined to carry out their mission successfully at all costs. Toward that end they've planned a precision military operation right down to the smallest detail. But their plans failed to include the contingency of encountering a one-man wrecking crew, and they're about to meet him. His name is John McClane. With this sequel, director Harlin devised, crafted and delivered an action film that has exactly what an action film is supposed to have: Action, and plenty of it. And once it starts, it never lets up until the screen has gone dark, and it's one wild ride. It has the added bonus, as well, of having a storyline to back it all up, all of which Harlin presents in a satisfying, cohesive package. As with even the best offerings of the genre, however, this one requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but there's so much happening so quickly that it doesn't require much effort. A couple of key scenes are built around things that could only be accomplished through the use of creative license, but it doesn't make any difference; it works for the story and Harlin integrates it so well into the action that it all seems real, and unless you're an expert in a certain field you wouldn't know the difference anyway. The important thing is, it's exciting and entertaining. One element that puts this film a cut above many action movies is the fact that the characters have at least been developed beyond being mere comic book caricatures; these are people with whom you are able to become emotionally involved because they have very real concerns, feelings and relationships. They just happen to be confronted at this juncture of their lives by extraordinary circumstances. The relationship between McClane and Holly, for example, adds that element of humanity that makes the film more than "just" a special effects extravaganza. Willis does a good job of bringing McClane to life with a credible, believable performance, as does Bedelia as Holly. The supporting cast includes a number of actors who were virtually unknown at the time, but who have gone on to have significant careers in their own right, like Dennis Franz (Lorenzo), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Miller), Robert Patrick (O'Reilly) and John Leguizamo (Burke). Also in the cast are William Atherton (Thornburg), Reginald VelJohnson (Powell), John Amos (Grant), Tom Bower (Marvin) and Sheila McCarthy (Samantha Coleman). The role of John McClane catapulted Bruce Willis to international stardom, and reprising the character in "Die Hard 2" virtually crowned him King of the action genre. Harlin did a terrific job with this one, Sadler created a memorable villain with Colonel Stuart, and like your favorite ride at your favorite amusement park, it's thrilling-- and as soon as it's over, chances are you're going to want to go again. And that's the magic of the movies.
Rating: 
Summary: DIE HARDLY
Review: A sequel was inevitable but did it have to be so unoriginal? All of the elements that made DIE HARD such a sensation are mimicked here quite well, but very little is new or unique. Like other long running series (LETHAL WEAPON, ROCKY, RAMBO, SUPERMAN, etc...) the second film ends up pushing more towards a comic book feel as the filmmakers stretch to reach over the bar set by the first film. Bruce Willis sweats and bleeds plenty in this film but his internal angst that drove him in the first film has all healed. Now, he is a superhero. This does bring the film down a couple notches. The effects are excellent, especially a somewhat inappropriate plane crash killing hundreds of passengers. When push comes to shove, the film is passable entertainment. But this new DVD is an excellent piece of the DIE HARD TRILOGY BOX SET. Followed by another sequel, DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE...
Rating:
Summary: Die Harder gives the adrenaline
Review: This movie is worth watching and it got some good action sequences but it lacks the originality of the first movie. Renny Harlin is a good director but probably not as good as John McTiernan, Bruce Willis can't show more sides of the character that he actually played so well in the first one. Die Hard 2 also lacks good supporting actors. William Sadler and Franco Nero tries to replace Alan Rickman and Alexander Godunov as the villains. And I just don't care about the use of Reginald VelJohnson or Bonnie Bedelia to show some familiar faces (but it is at least better then in the third installment were only Willis reappears). Art Evans, Fred Dalton Thomas and John Amos only do so much and doesn't give anything more then necessary. The only actors that is given good performances is for one, William Atherton once again playing an irritating reporter and Dennis Franz that also gives one of the best scenes in the movie. The action is really good but a little far fetched. Okay to all the leaking pipes and steam in the newly built airport (the first Die Hard also had it's far share). But the grenades that last thirty seconds as the highest limit and seven as the lowest is ridiculous and the plane that is not supposed to have an ejection seat but it does. Well, that's the brilliance in movie making. The plot is really thin but to watch these movies you don't need to believe in it.
Rating:
Summary: Weakest of the trilogy, but still pretty good
Review: The main problem with this film is the terrorists' plan would never have worked in real life. Planes with "only" an hour's worth of fuel could have easily gotten to an airport in Canada! Also, why didn't the tower people use the radio in one of the planes on the ground? That said, Die Hard 2 is well above average. The action is top notch, and the thrills never stop coming. Renny Harlin adds his own unique style of direction, which is well appreciated. Although it might have been better with John McTiernnan, you'll still get your moneys worth.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first
Review: This one wasn't even half as good as the first. I found it to be boring in some parts. It starts off going pretty well. It doesn't have as much action as the first one did. Next is that it doesn't have as good a plot. It was a really good movie, but I didn't like the thought of the airport. That seemed to lose me. The terrorists are hiding outside in a church near the airport. Overall it was very good, but not as good as that first one.
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