Die Hard
Die Hard
(1988)
A Review by Grant Kanigan
Directed by: John McTiernan
Written By: Jeb Stuart & Steven E. de Souza, based
on Roderick Thorp's novel.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Reginald VelJohnson,
Alan Rickman
Rating: R
Release Date: July 20th 1988
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Bruce Willis in Die Hard
© 2012 Getty Images
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Arriving in LA for his wife's office Christmas party at the new Nakatomi Plaza office building, John McClane is a tough NYPD cop who's chilly demeanour is antithetical to the sunny disposition of the average Angelino. Arriving late, tired and unimpressed the only thing that brightens up McLane's holiday is seeing his wife Holly, whom he's been separated from due to work. All seems well until German terrorists seize the building, kill the guards and take Holly and her coworkers hostage. Now, with only a shoeless off-duty McClane to save them, he's the hostage's only hope against a plethora of ruthless krauts hellbent on destruction. If that premise sounds ridiculous to you, that's probably because it is.
Originally written as an Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle, (Director McTiernan and Schwarzenegger collaborated on Predator), Die Hard was the film that rocketed Bruce Willis into A-List super-stardom. Willis, who, prior to 1988 was mainly known for starring in the television show Moonlighting, and ridiculous commercials for Seagram's Wine Coolers, is what makes Die Hard stand above the rest. The premise is occasionally ridiculous, but Willis completely sells it. His running commentary throughout the film simultaneously acts as a meta-commentary of what the audience is likely thinking, and as, (often hilarious), comic relief. It's a testament to Willis as both an actor and an improviser that he's able to sell such insane stunts as falling down an elevator shaft, jumping off buildings, and killing dozens of German terrorists with his bare hands. If there's any doubt about Willis' capability as an action star, Die Hard is proof he's the real deal. As well, unlike Schwarzenegger, Willis seems like an every-man, with marital troubles and a nasty smoking habit. His heroism is real, and he's someone we can all relate to; someone who's shoes, (or lack thereof), we can all see ourselves in.
While Willis is the focal point of the film, it's his co-stars that fantastically round out the picture. Bonnie Bedelia, as Willis' wife Holly Gennaro McClane isn't the stereotypical, stock, damsel in distress. She's portrayed as independent, (hence the use of her maiden name, Gennaro), and intelligent. Instead of simply playing hostage, she has a battle of wits with her captors, her conniving co-workers, and takes any chance she gets to help the hostages and herself. As well, Reginald VelJohnson, as Sgt. Al Powell, the man who finally realizes there's a serious situation going on at Nakatomi Plaza, is absolutely memorable as a cop who is paranoid about returning to action on the force. Finally, Alan Rickman, (in his first major role), as Hans Gruber is the perfect character foil for Willis' McClane. Void of morals and driven by greed, Rickman plays Gruber with a menacing, quiet ferocity. All in all, the talents of the cast, and the quality of the self aware writing flesh out characters who would otherwise ring false in a lesser film; the cast turn stock characters into real human beings.
As I've mentioned, the writing is exuberant. Self aware, funny, and a commentary on the motivations of evil people, it's part of the formula that makes Die Hard such a potent action film. The character arc of Gruber from a terrorist to a simple bank robber who only cares about profits, is a poignant statement on the folly of man. Gruber figuratively, (and literally in his final moments), represents the fall of man; his descent into sin. As well, the action never lets up. Only pausing to set up the next scene, or flesh out the reasoning behind each characters motivation, the film builds and builds until it reaches an explosive conclusion. This is literary adaptation at it's best. Additionally, the refusal by the writers and stars to cave into the throes of mass consumption is a brilliant move. The R rating allows for the characters to speak and act like real people. If you fire a machine gun while running barefoot across a floor of broken glass, you're bound to drop a couple f-bombs, not "forget this," or "find a stranger in the Alps." The resistance to censor the script makes for more realistic and thus more enjoyable viewing.
The fact the characters and script work so well together has led to one of the best film franchises in recent history. The immediate Die Hard sequel, Die Harder, built on the characters, took it's time and, while repetitive in it's story, was just as entertaining. The third instalment, With a Vengeance, took a more intellectual stance, and while it was a bit shorter on action, the decision to tackle racial tension in New York was brilliant, and led to one of Samuel L. Jackson's best performances. Live Free or Die Hard, the fourth in the franchise, was still massively entertaining, but seemed to forget that the real reason Die Hard was so successful - it featured realistic acting characters. The John McClane in the fourth film was a shell of what he used to be, which lead to an atrocious fifth film. If the studio ever wants to make another film, it needs to get back to what made the original three so special - their characters. Yet, at this point, Willis' insistence on playing John McClane-like characters more and more since his 1988 turn, has made his talents tiresome and cheap. It's time for Willis to throw in the towel and move on. His first few Die Hard films aren't fading into black anytime soon.
Overall, Die Hard is a funny, intelligent, well acted, electrifying and entertaining film. A rare example of all the elements of a film working together to create something truly memorable, Die Hard is not only a great film, but one of the best action films of all time. Thoroughly exciting and able to stand up to repeat viewings, Die Hard is the real deal. Merry Christmas, and yippee ki yay, motherfucker.
Grant's Rating: 5/5 Stars
Bruce Willis & Alan Rickman in Die Hard: "Yippee Ki Yay"
"Die Hard" Music Video by Guyz Nite
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