Directed by John McTiernan
132 minutes
Floor 3 Pink Zone 791.4372 DIE
Everyone likes to spend their Christmas differently, and everyone likes to watch different films over the Christmas break. I know this after having a discussion with a student whose flatmates chose The Human Centipede (2009) as their Christmas film – a far cry from our last review of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). It makes sense then to offer and alternative Christmas review of our own, and what cooler a choice for a Christmas film is there than Die Hard?
The film follows New York Cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) visiting his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) in Los Angeles, only for their office Christmas Party at Nakatomi plaza to be overrun by a team of German terrorists who aim to break into the building’s vaults. McClane escapes and using his grit, fights the terrorists in one-man guerrilla warfare. The action balances tension with excitement with enough originality not to become predictable. There are moments of comic relief also from Argyle the limo driver (De’voreaux White), a more significant role than it sounds, and moments of emotional comradery between McClane and his man-on-the-outside, Sgt. Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson). Overall the narrative is immersive and gripping, if you like action films you will never tire of Die Hard.
A standout performance in the film is that of chief antagonist Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). Rickman’s plays the role with a slow and manipulative power, delivering some of the film’s most iconic lines, of which I will not spoil. Fans of Alan Rickman will not be surprised at the praise he receives for his acting, but it will surprise most to learn that Die Hard was his first feature film; not many have as impressive a debut. Die Hard is also responsible for making Bruce Willis the ‘action-hero’ icon he remains today; highlighting this is the fact that Mclane’s blood-stained vest has earned its place in the famous Smithsonian Institution.
Die Hard is an interesting case as it embodies the period, but is also timeless. The film was released in an era where chiselled chinned, muscled ‘hard’ men starring in action movies dominated screens – think of the Rambo or Rocky franchises or films like Top Gun. These figures of macho Americanism battle evil foreign figures to heroic triumph; these films are often referred to as Reaganite Entertainment (after Ronald Reagan). As such Die Hard is a product of its time. Yet, save for the odd hair-do and piece of technology, Die Hard does not feel dated, it remains a great watch with its fantastic cast and a narrative that is not to simple nor too complex (the pitfalls of action films). It remains, quintessentially, cool. Enjoy Christmas…hopefully with less machine guns.
Why It’s Significant?
Die Hard is rated as one of, if not the best, action films of all time. It helped develop the careers of Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, and is a great alternative Christmas watch.
If You Like This, You May Also Like From The Library:
Speed, dir. by Jan de Bont (20th Century Fox, 1994) –A pre-Matrix Keanu Reeves acts to stop a bus that is rigged to explode if it slows below 50mph. Another action classic. (791.4372 SPE)
Top Gun, dir. by Tony Scott (Paramount Pictures, 1986) – Distinctly a 1980s film, in narrative and style but no less iconic. Starring Tom Cruise becomes as an ace fighter pilot. (791.4372 TOP)
Written by Phil Wintle
