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Summary: The Film By Which All Action Films Are Judged
Review: Perhaps the father of the modern action film, Die Hard will probably be remembered long into the future as an unorthodox classic of contemporary film. And in many cases, it rightly deserves to be distinguished thus. Perhaps the film's greatest redeeming attribute is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. There can be no greater method of reducing the credibility of a film than to make every story, every character, every act so unbearably dark and sinister as to create a film that caves in on itself. Die Hard treads a very thin line, not bordering the dark and sinister on either side, but by perfectly treading the vague distance between action film and spoof. And, ultimately it succeeds because of that. This borderline spoof is best exemplified in the lackluster motivations of the Deputy Police Chief and FBI agents, not to mention a musical score that is phenomenal, excelling beyond the norm for a very peculiar though admittedly awe-inspiring use of Beethoven's Ode to Joy--perhaps the best use of this theme in cinematic history (if you can't appreciate the rest of the film, you still have to admire the audacity and direction the film takes as the villains open the vault). Moreover, action sequences are generally well staged and there is a well thought out use of the architecture's intricate design aspects, ducts and stairwells, shafts and nooks. Performance wise, the saving grace comes from Alan Rickman's villain who defies the action film mold by NOT going over-the-top with the outrageous performance that generally defines and ruins a film villain (A humorous side note: from a 21st century perspective, one can observe an almost uncanny resemblance between Rickman and Tom Green at his first meeting with Bruce Willis; If it weren't for the voice, I wouldn't have known who I was watching). The film is not without its flaws, however. Little evidence is provided to support the exit of Rickman's character from the political organization of which he was previously affiliated, which would be of little consequence if the filmmakers had omitted his origin entirely. Dialogue is generally good, never feebly trying to be too intelligent as preys most action films, though Willis seems to have accrued the bulk of the films failed one-liners. Finally, and perhaps to the greatest detriment of viewing pleasure, is the climax that comes perhaps too quickly and with too little urgency. By the time the villain has been slain, and the good guy has survived and rescued the distressed damsel, one wonders where the concluding showdown has escaped to. I do consider it to be a letdown, though a mild one at that and with ultimately little impact on one's concluding perception of the film. So, the film remains a pinnacle of the Hollywood action film that knows where to take liberties and where to cut the corners off of the showiness that too easily outdoes itself and plunges the film into a disastrous whirlpool of its own elevated severity. Die Hard has become a template for action cinema, a how-to model by which others are created; unfortunately, its success has never been recreated by movies that try to cash in on its success. Therefore, it remains a film that can be credited as inspiring a bulk of today's trash, but also exceeding it by observing the boundaries of entertainment and never surpassing them in favor of the absurd excess by which filmmaking is currently dictated. Relish what inspired a genre and teased the limits of the well-rounded film: Die Hard is not to be missed.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 stars for the movie AND the DVD
Review: It's about time. After many inferior releases on DVD, they finally have released a DVD set that contains all the extras that fans like me have been waiting for. 2 discs, THX AND DTS sound choices, deleted scenes (that can be watched with the movie or separately), magazine articles, production photos and the list goes on. Arguably the best action movie of all time and of the Die Hard series, this is one DVD that must be in your collection.
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Summary: It's Bruce Time!
Review: I am no DVD guru, but must say I was HUGELY impressed with the boxed set. It looks fantastic in the holographic packaging, and sits nicely on the shelf (other boxed sets I have need a new shelf height built!). As for quality, the picture was perfect, as was the sound. All the additional extras were fantastic...this was what we all wanted when boxed sets were released! All the fun edited bits, and commentaries by the people you ACTUALLY want to hear from! This is a MUST for anyone who loves action films. And for anyone else too!
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Summary: The Definitive Action Blueprint- 'Die Hard'
Review: When people describe a terrorist movie, they often say stuff like "It's like 'Die Hard'- only there are twenty terrorists instead of twelve. That's right, 'Die Hard' is the most outstanding, most memorable, and most entertaining action movie ever! Really. When NY cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) visits his ex-wife's office party in LA on Christmas Eve, he gets caught up in a terrorist takeover led by Hans (a slick Alan Rickman). Evading the terrorists bare-footed, in a vest, and with his trusty pistol, McClane must try to save the lives of the hostages (including his wife). The breakneck pace of the movie makes it feel like one long action sequence that is snappily edited and tautly directed by John McTiernan. The various scrapes Willis undergoes and the suttle plot twists makes the movie a winner already. However, this film simply gets better and better as the police arrive on the scene and the terrorists up the ante. The acting suits the situations well and makes the film easy to get into right from the start. The action scenes themslves are simply stunning - whether it's a punch-up or a last resort leap off the roof of the skyscaper seconds before it explodes. No other action movie comes close, not even it's two sequels- although the third 'Die Hard' has a good stab. Anyone who hasn't seen this film needs a check up at the doctors- see it, buy it. Now. Go on... NOW!
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Summary: JOHN MACLAINE-GREATEST ACTION HERO OF ALL TIME
Review: Hands down the most perfect action flick ever made!
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Summary: The Die Hard Trilogy is the best action movie collection...
Review: Die Hard is one of my favorite action films. They made two sequels, but this one, the first one, is the best. Bruce Willis is an underestimated actor, even though he played in some pretty bad movies. Die Hard is THE perfect mix of INTENSE action, very funny jokes and one-liners and entertainment at its best. And there's even more; the acting is very good. This is one of the most entertaining films I've seen for sure, and it's the perfect one to watch when you don't want to think a lot and when your brain is tired and doesn't want to work. All I can say about this film is positive. It is long enough, there are no weak moments, and you're staying on the edge of your seat during the two big hours of fun that this film brings you. The story is conventional, but there are details that make this film more intelligent than the average action flick. And I was very surprised by how violent Die Hard was. It's pretty bloody and there are a lot of gun shots. Fun fun fun. I loved it.
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Summary: Best movie ever!
Review: This is my favorite movie of all time. Since I didn't get this DVD for my birthday, I'm gonna have to buy it myself!!
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Summary: Rickman Rocks...
Review: ...and Willis is terrific. The DVD extras alone are worth the price of admission. The cutting-room feature is a blast, I could sit for hours rearranging shots. And I love discs which include the filmscript!
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Summary: Lights, camera... ACTION!
Review: Great action movie, with well balanced action and suspense. Not too much "dramas" or other pseudo-emotional boring subplots that had been added to today's "action" movies making most of them a pain-in-the-guess-where... If you haven't seen it, you should. You'll feel why it became a synonymous to the genre. The 5 Star Edition DVD is simply top. Video transfer is very well done. DTS sound is amazing, shaking furniture on explosions and spinning around you under fire. The extras have the first photo album I've known to be worth seeing: it's interactive opening the doors to many unused or deleted scenes. Other features are also interesting, but what really shines is the editing room. There you are allowed to edit three scenes being given lots of camera angles to choose from and construct it the way you prefer. At the end of the scene you can view it the way you mounted it and compare it to the movie's edition. There's also a sound edition feature that's also very intersting, but the editing room will entertain you for more hours. Movie: great - action movie focused on... action! DVD: even greater - top video, sound and extras. What more could you want?
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Summary: The Movie That Changed Everything
Review: With it Willis became an international star, McTiernan the foremost action director of the age, and it has been infinitely copied. But the movie itself if very original and perhaps the best action film ever made. Why? Unlike most action films, this movie spends lots of time developing its characters and the plot. It creates people we care about. The acting is outstanding. I cannot think of one bad performance in the entire movie. The scene-stealer is Rickman, who gained his stardom from this film (and has been typecast forever as a villain). It does all this while being the most heart-pounding film of the century, and the directing is incredible, by the way. There is substance here, not just style. If you watch it enough times, you will realize the true genius of this production. McClane and Gruber become not only metaphoric of good and evil, but also of the struggle of the human spirit.
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