All American Hero. (Die Hard (DVD))

Member Name: daseaford

Product:	Die Hard (DVD)
Date:	04/01/02 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of action., Good stunts.

Disadvantages: Lot of killing.

It was this film that really made Bruce Willis famous. He plays the part of a hardened New York policeman (John McClane) who is in Los Angeles to visit his wife Holly (played by Bonnie Bedelia). When Holly moved to LA she took the children with her and changed her surname back to her maiden name of Gennero, and has now established a very good position with the Nakatomi Corporation.

John McClane arrives in LA and is taken to the office Christmas party in a chauffeur driven limousine. Whilst the employees are holding their party a group of supposedly terrorists take over the building and hold the employees as hostages. In all of the confusion John McClane manages to hide and avoid being captured.

It soon becomes apparent that the group are not terrorists, but are planning to steal $640 million of bearer bonds held in a high security safe in the Nakatomi building, and are using the terrorist rouse to confuse the police and the FBI.

John McClane then starts to wreak havoc with the thieves as he gradually kills off members of the gang and disrupts their carefully made plans.

The leader of the gang is Hans Gruber (played by Alan Rickman) and gradually the clash between McClane and Gruber becomes a personal battle.

There is a lot of action in this film, although it starts peacefully with about 20 minutes of scene setting as we get to know the characters, and understand why the McClane marriage has broken down.

There are a large number of explosions, stunts, special effects and a lot of destruction. The stunt men must have had a wonderful time when making this film. Bruce Willis plays the part of the all American hero very well and Alan Rickman is a frightening terrorist.

Of course you do have to stretch your imagination a little bit to accept how John McClane could survive against twelve dedicated professionals, but apart from that the film is OK.

There is a personal side to the film as John McClane co
ntacts Sgt. Al Powell (played by Reginald VelJohnson) of the LA Police Department, who was the first officer on the scene and he can understand the predicament that McClane has found himself in. This is McClane’s only contact outside of the building and Al helps him when everything seems to be going wrong for him.

I have watched this film at least half a dozen times and I am sure I will watch it again and again. It is pure escapism and as long as you do not mind the killings and a little swearing it is a good film to watch.

Recommended for anyone who likes a lot of stunts and a lot of action, and of course a happy ending.

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