Die Hard
review by David G.
Running Time: 132 Minutes
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander
Godunov, Bonnie Bedelia
Written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. De Souza based on
the novel by Roderick Thorp
Directed by John McTiernan
Retail Price: 29.98
Studio: Fox
Features: Commentaries by George Romero, John Russo,
Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Judith O'Dea, S. William
Hinzman, Keith Wayne, Kyra Schon, Russell Streiner and
Vincent Survinski, Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot, Night of
the Living Bread, Original Commercials by Image Ten,
inc.
Disc Specs: 2.35:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen, 5.1
Dolby Digital English, 2.0 Dolby Surround English, 2.0 Dolby
Surround French
John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York City cop who
arrives in Los Angeles to spend the Christmas holiday with
his separated wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) and his children.
Since he's waiting for her in her office in a huge building,
a group of terrorists lead by Hans Grubber (Alan Rickman)
investigates the place and take control of the building.
McClane manages to escape from the villains and become the
only hope for the hostages that include his wife. Armed with
only his service revolver, he begins to fight himself the
terrorists as the police and the FBI are totally
inefficient.
It's always a pleasure to review a film by John
McTiernan. For his third movie after "Nomads and Predator",
he gave us this incredible roller coaster that doesn't allow
the audience to get its breath back. I am always marvelled
that this director manages to raise an average script (and
even a poor script in the case of Predator) to make it a
great movie. In 1988, McTiernan gave his own definition of
action movies: some well defined strong characters and a
electric shock every 10 minutes. Since then, the formula has
been many time copied but never beaten. In fact, that is not
true, one movie managed to beat "Die Hard" in that way.
Guess which one?.It's Die Hard 3 by...?. John McTiernan of
course!. In addition, this movie allow us to see the
greatest villain ever seen on screen: Hans Gruber played by
the perfect Alan Rickman.
"Die Hard" is presented in widescreen 2.35:1 format (no
anamorphic enhancement) , and for a movie from 1988, the
transfer is pretty decent. Although a little fuzzy time to
time, the picture is clear end there are very few artifacts.
This part is a slight disappointment, in effect, the
soundtracks lack of punch. I would have liked more
enveloping explosions. But let me be clear, the movie does
not really suffer from that.
Three trailers are included (one for each "Die Hard"
film), a slide show of a few pictures, a useless featurette,
and some cast information.
Even now, this movie does not look old fashioned in
contrast of many 80s movies. This is a must see for all
action movies lovers, but I'm quite sure you have already
seen it.
 (5/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
 (3/5)
 (2/5)
 (3.5/5, NOT an average)
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