Die Hard

Rating:
Summary: really good but can't compar with die hard with a vengence.
Review: The first die hard is exiting and has good directing but doesn't compare to Die hard with a vengence's exceptioal acting and roller coaster thrills. I recomend this film to anyone who is a hardcore action movie fan Also you should really get die hard with a vengence.

Rating:
Summary: The Glass Jungle
Review: A thrilling spectacle of the action film genre returns in a winning DVD presentation. "Die Hard" Five Star Edition is a remarkable improvement over the previous release. This action-packed movie is presented in a THX approved, 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The DVD contains a stunning and rich video transfer that is cleaner and more enhanced than the previous edition. Its 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is certainly outstanding but for the full home theater experience, the DTS audio track delivers more powerful bass and great clarity. This impressive DVD features in-depth audio commentaries with director John McTiernan and crew, fun outtakes, extended scenes, picture gallery, trailers and colrful interactive menus. With such a remarkable DVD presentation and worthy supplements, "Die Hard" Five Star Edition is the ultimate Die Hard experience and positively scores an "A".

Rating:
Summary: A cool action flick
Review: Bruce Willis plays a N.Y.P.D cop in a shoot 'em up, blow 'em up style movie. He goes to L.A to meet his wife at a party a party in a skyscraper office building. While he his in her office he hears gunshots, he grabs his Bretta sidearm and watches at the terrorists take control. John Mclean (Bruce Willis) goes around the building killing terrorists. He finds a CB radio and calls the police and the terror leader Hans Gruber. Hans thinks of John as a cowboy because of the way he acts. After they tals a bit John says the classic line: yippie cayay (...).

Rating:
Summary: Excitement and Explosions Make Die Hard a Sure Fire Hit
Review: John McTiernan's star has been fading lately, but it shone like a supernova with 1988's Die Hard, a taut and exciting action thriller that made Bruce Willis an international star and began a trend of explosion-laden action thrillers that followed its basic formula -- sometimes successfully, but more often not.

The story takes a basic Western-movie plotline (lone hero faces off against a band of menacing black hats) and pulls it forward into the late 20th Century. N.Y. Detective John McClane (Willis) arrives in L.A. for a Christmas vacation with his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) and their children. At a Christmas office party in the still unfinished Nakatomi building (where Holly has an executive office), a band of what seems to be a group of well-financed terrorists takes most of the partygoers hostage. It is up to McClane, who luckily is in a rest room as Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his thugs crash the party, to foil the villains and rescue the hostages.

McTiernan, working from a screenplay by Jeb Stuart and Steven de Souza, blends in various types of styles into Die Hard. With the relationship between McClane and L.A. police Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald Veljohnson) he inserted the "buddy picture." With the police angle, he uses the "cops and robbers" theme. The screenplay and movie also highlight wit and droll humor -- especially on Gruber's part. As the prime mover of the action, it's Gruber who's the protagonist, with Willis as the heroic antagonist.

The 5-Star Collection DVD is one of 20th Century Fox's best releases to date. The widescreen format and sound are great, the new interactive menus are eyepopping, and the extra features on both discs are excellent. Although perhaps a bit more expensive than either the VHS or original DVD release, the new Collector's Editions of the Die Hard films are worth every penny.

Rating:
Summary: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Review: Sometimes I spend too much time watching movies of heavy mental baggage. Films like Amores Perros or Goodfellas are indeed excellent pieces of cinema, but I cannot watch them forever. Watching movies that are dark and depressing often make me dark and depressing, and I temporarily develop a "glass-half-empty" attitude, failing to see the good in anything; a petulent pessimist. When I see this storm cloud appearing on the horizon, I tend to indulge in a "lite" movie; usually a comedy or action film to "cool" my proverbial "jets." Often I don't expect these coolents to be terribly entertaining or satisfying, but every so often a very good movie will come along and punch me in my big prejudice face. Die Hard is one such movie.
It's a shame that action/adventure films of this calibur have been replaced with uncharasmatic meathead Vin Diesal throwing his fat face about some exotic location with computer altered/enhanced special effects dancing around him. Action movies today have weak story lines, miserable main characters, and rely so heavily on computer enhancements that whatever gems the generally mediocre genre could produce have been buried in the sands of time. Maybe when the public wakes up from the Hollywood Sandman's magical sleep powder and realizes that Vin Diesal is, in fact, a horrendous actor with no onscreen presence, we can see some entertaining action films once again.
But, I am supposed to be writing about Die Hard, and Die Hard is what I shall write about. The movie has every element required to bake the pie that is a very good action movie. Die Hard possesses an actor with natural charisma, Bruce Willis, who is close enough to a human being (as opposed to the "Mutant from Planet Muscle" look possessed by 'Aanald') that the audience can feel some relation with him. There is a good script, and while it won't win any pretentious arthouse adulation, it is good enough to keep theatergoers entertained for the duration of the two hour movie. Die Hard is given a strong supporting cast, which is in other words Alan Rickman, who gives a solid performance as the diabolical arch-villian (although Carl from Family Matters holds up decently as well). Finally, we are blessed with very fine direction John McTiernan, who keeps us on the edge of our seats for all 130 minutes.
Die Hard is filled with plot twists and surprises, that even surprised me, loyal reader. The firefights and full-contact brawls are intense and suspenseful. One doesn't really think about the fact that Willis will survive every struggle he encounters, for the film is engaging enough to really get you caught up in the fight; gasping and jumping and rooting for Willis to knock the man's teeth in.
The dialogue, while somewhat corny, is still passable. Willis will say some relatively bad lines throughout the course of Die Hard, but what is an action movie without the macho, campy dialogue?
The ending, while a little on the corny side, somewhat damages the film, but not so much as to ruin it. It's difficult trying to critique an action movie, because basically, it's there to keep me entertained, and that's what it does. Go out, rent the damn thing, and escape for awhile. It's a very fun, engaging, suspenseful flick, and you will not be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: A Thrill-A-Minute Spectacle
Review: Before you dismiss this as just another in the long list of terrorists-hold-innocents-hostage-hero-single-handedly-saves-the-day actioners, let me point out that this was the first of its kind. All the others that followed were mere imitations, and not very good ones at that.

Which leads me to this assessment: even if Die Hard weren't the first of this genre, it would still be the best. No other terrorist-hostage movie has ever come close to the energy and thrills that this one has to offer.

Bruce Willis, previously best-known for his role as the wise-cracking partner of Cybil Shepherd in the TV series Moonlighting, makes a remarkably sucessful transition to the big screen, taking on the role of NY cop John MacLane. In LA to join his wife (Bonnie Bedelia) at her company's Christmas party, he suddenly finds himself single-handedly taking on a band of terrorists led by Hans Grueber, played to elegant perfection by Alan Rickman.

The action is definitely first-rate, the highlight easily being the scene where MacLane jumps off the high-rise's roof just as a bomb behind him detonates, hanging on to a fire hose that dislodges from its slot.

But there are other plot elements that give this movie more substance than others of its genre. One is the troubled state of MacLane's marriage, which makes for a character of more depth. Our hero is only human, grappling with problems just like you and me. Another is the interaction between MacLane and beat officer Powell (Reginald Vel Johnson). Communicating only by radio, they start off as two cops exchanging vital information. Soon, their conversations take on a more personal nature, and before they even see each other, their relationship evolves from professional to friendly. A nice touch, culminating in an affectionate bear hug when they finally meet.

Perhaps most interesting is the character of Rickman. Yes, we've seen classy bad guys before, but Grueber, with his sartorial elegance and erudite eloquence, certainly stands out. (You know that game where you take turns quoting lines from movies, and the others have to identify the movie and the character who delivered the line? Try this: "Alexander examined the breadth of his domain, and wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer." They'll give all sorts of wrong answers, then you proclaim, "Die Hard, Hans Grueber!")

Of course, the rip-roaring action alone would earn Die Hard four stars. But thankfully, the producers made the effort to reach for the fifth star.

Rating:
Summary: A rapid adventure!
Review: Die Hard defines action. It has everything that every action fan desires, such as explosions in an elevator shaft of the Nacatomi Plaza, where the story mainly takes place. From the first moments of when John McClane enters Nocatomi Plaza at sunset, the journey begins. And, a fast one, too.

The terrorist group controlled by Hans Gruber, where they wanted the big bucks saved down in the vault of the plaza, decide to retrieve it, but they can't get the code, so they have to unlock the vault maunally -- this makes the plot so much more intersting. Hans has that certain accent or personality that really makes this movie so much more intriguing.

Now, John McClane must fight off those terrorists, then Hans, and make sure that he can save as many hostages as he can, but first, he wants to see his wife and his family, primarily. But can he do just that?

To do just that, it takes bravery. This movie shows extreme examples of great fighting scenes between John and the terrorists, including some solo action from Sgt. Al Powell and his cop car...with the backup police in the rush with sirens blaring. This movie makes a perfect example of what it's like to be surrounded by hostility, in a 40 story building.

Great use of music too. I was really impressed by the adrenaline-pumping music-orchestra type format for various scenes.

Like I said, this movie defines action. It has all the aspects of heart-pumping action, e.g., c-4 exploding in an elevator shaft, strategies made by John McClane and Hans at the same time, and the sheer amount of chaotic scenes makes this movie one heck of a great journey!

Rating:
Summary: I remember seeing this for the first time like it was..
Review: yesterday

It was a midnight showing. It was packed. I can't even remember who I went there with. Ihate popcorn. It's a noisy eat. I usually cringe for the first 23 minutes of a flick, because there's always someone chomping on popcorn. I remember thinking how miserable I was going to be, having it packed full of rowdy people.

By the time the climax scene with Hans and the holiday tape, we were all yelling and screaming. I think that was the intention of the movie- to get you cheering. I've never experienced that sort of mass fun since, and it will always be a fond memory.

5 Stars baby, it's the original [joey tribiani]DIE HARD![/joey tribiani]

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Movies Ever!
Review: This movie is just so awesome. I keep thinking about the words "Yippe Kay-Yay ..." in my head. This movie has turned me into a fan of Bruce Willis. It has some great acting and a great director (John McTiernan). I think the great thing about this movie, is that John McClane(Bruce Willis) will often go out of his way, just to get some humor. Like when he sends a body down an elevator, and has a special message on the body, just to let the terrorists know that he exists. This is the best out of the series most definately. Bruce Willis goes and beats down terrorists, and it's funny that he does the whole thing, without any shoes! It is really neat to have the movie inside of a building. The movie is very suspenseful, even in some times that you know that McClane will succeed, because it is a movie, your suspense still goes up. The movie has some clever things, and some predictable things, but wether some things are predictable or not doesn't really matter. The movie is usually really believable, but there were a few parts...but that is just to keep suspense. The movie definately deserves the 'Five Star collection' treatment that it has. The DVD is packed with extra features on two discs...Go buy it today.

Rating:
Summary: One of the quintessential action films of all time
Review: This is the film that would influence hundreds of action films for years to come, made director John McTiernan a household name, and made a global superstar out of Bruce Willis. Willis stars as New York Detective John McClaine, who goes to Los Angeles to see his wife (Bonnie Bedilia) and family, but finds himself running and gunning for his life when a group of terrorists take over the Nakatomi building holding hostages (including his wife), and only McClaine can stop them. As the Amazon review says, Die Hard would set the stage for action films for years to come such as Under Siege, Passenger 57, and Executive Decision; but none of those films could ever match the intense action (possibly some of McTiernan's best directing in his career), engaging cinematography (courtesy of Jan de Bont who would later helm another action masterpiece with Speed), and fantastic performances from Willis (his wisecracking one liners would also set the stage for future big screen heroes) and Alan Rickman as the nefarious head terrorist Hans Gruber. This Five Star edition of the film is great and is undoubtadly one of 20th Century Fox's best produced DVD's on the market. The great picture transfer allows us to see the brilliance of the film, and the commentary from McTiernan is worth the price of admission alone. The branching scenes don't add much to the film, but they themselves are a nice extra. This blockbuster would also spawn an inferior (but nonetheless action packed and fun) sequel that was directed by Renny Harlin, and McTiernan would return to the helm for the third and in my opinion best installment, Die Hard With A Vengeance. All in all, consider this essential viewing if you've ever called yourself an action film fan.