Die Hard
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Die Hard
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This film has been preserved in the National Film Registry in 2017.
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_poster.jpg) "Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!"
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Die Hard is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan, produced by Joel Silver, and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It was produced by the Gordon Company and Silver Pictures, and distributed by 20th Century Fox, The film was placed in the National Film Registry in 2017.
The movie spawned four sequels: Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013).
A planned sixth film entitled McClane was cancelled, but will be rebooted as a prequel television series entitled Easter.
Plot
New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve 1988. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of German terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon, McClane realizes that he's the only person who can save the hostages.
Why It Never Dies Hard
- The film came out during an age when action movie heroes were portrayed as invincible killing machines; John McClane feels like a breath of fresh air, who felt real to us as he had suffered pain and emotional moments, and yet still manages to be an awesome hero.
- Bruce Willis does a great performance as John McClane as well as the other actors.
- Special mention goes to the late Alan Rickman as the film's evil mastermind Hans Gruber, one of the greatest movie villains of all time. Especially noted that this was his very first movie!
- Aside from the lead characters John McClane and Hans Gruber, the supporting cast is pretty strong as well.
- Joe Takagi (played by James Shigeta) is the President of Nakatomi Trading and a caring, encouraging boss with a defiant side.
- Holly Gennero-McClane (played by Bonnie Bedelia) is John's wife who takes the position to protect the hostages when Takagi gets shot.
- Harry Ellis (played by Hart Bochner) is a love-to-hate character who's a sleazy businessman with a caring side for his workers.
- Ginny (played by Dustyn Taylor) is Holly's secretary.
- A ton of cool action scenes such as the fight on that construction site on the building.
- Amazing score from composer Michael Kamen.
- Plenty of heartwarming moments such as John trying to protect his family from the terrorists.
- For an R-rated action film, it sure gives plenty of Christmas themes to make this film look like a Christmas movie.
- Very memorable dialogue:
- "Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker!"
- "No fucking shit, lady! Do I sound like I'm ordering a pizza?!"
- "Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho."
- "Welcome to the party pal!"
- "Happy trails Hans"
- John McLane is the ultimate action hero.
The Only Quality That Should Die Hard
- Overuse of product placement, such as Twinkies.
Reception
It's often considered one of the greatest action movies of all time.
Trivia
- There are heavy debates on the internet about whether this film is a Christmas movie or not. Famously, Bruce Willis declared it's not a Christmas movie, but the screenwriter and many on the Internet think otherwise.
- YouTuber Cody Leach regards this movie as his favorite movie of all time.
Videos
External Links
Die Hard at the Internet Movie Database
Die Hard on Rotten Tomatoes
Die Hard on Metacritic
Comments
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- Films featured in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
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