[Film] You Just Killed A Helicopter With A Car (Die Hard 4.0 (DVD))

Member Name: Andy.mack

Product:	Die Hard 4.0 (DVD)
Date:	04/11/07 (103 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A decent return for the 4th outing of John McClane

Disadvantages: A little Cheesy Cinema release date of the 4th July

When someone hacks into the FBI main database late one evening it sets about a series of events that could bring down the whole of the United States. The FBI director decides to round up all key internet hackers to get to the bottom of it and sends John McClane (Bruce Willis) in to pick up Matthew Farrell (Justin Long). What should have been an easy pick up turns nasty when a team of trained soldiers appear to take Farrell out. From there McClane has to try and find out who is behind this plot and stop them before they bring the whole Country to a standstill.

It’s been 12 years since Bruce Willis last donned the vest and became John McClane, so it was a little surprising that Die Hard returned earlier this year. In fact the return of the Die Hard series came as a bit of a surprise. It was always inevitable that it would return but as the years passed and it didn’t I was beginning to feel it was a lot less likely. The end result though is a thoroughly enjoyable action film that despite it’s two hour run time doesn’t drag on too much and more importantly doesn’t take itself too seriously.

This sees director Len Wiseman step away from his comfort zone of the Underworld films and take on the challenge of the 4th instalment of one of the best action series of all time. The result is incredibly impressive as Wiseman uses some amazing special effects and well positioned camera’s to really create an action film that draws your attention. It isn’t an overly complicated plot, despite the main theme being internet fraud. It’s nice and easy to follow and certain scene’s work incredibly well and for this Wiseman must be praised.

It had the potential to be a total disaster but thankfully Wiseman has stayed true to the old Die Hard formula and created an enjoyable movie. Likewise it is one of writer Mark Bomback’s first forays into major feature films and like Wiseman he has kept the plot true to the original Die Hard concept. They have managed to fit in a number of McClane’s catchphrases and keep his character as determined and willing as always.

Of course the 4th instalment of the series couldn’t have worked without the return of Bruce Willis and thankfully he did want to reprise the role of McClane. Like the previous movies he seems to take to the indestructible cop like a duck to water and it’s hard to believe that it had been 12 years since he last took up the role. As always he seems to be able to deliver the one liners and almost comical put down’s with a dead straight face that seems to make the whole thing that little bit funnier, mixing in a bit of comedy with all the action.

As for the rest of the cast I think that Justin Long was quite impressive as Matthew Farrell and seemed to work well with Willis. They seemed to develop a good partnership, similar to Willis and Samuel L Jackson in the previous movie. Likewise I was very impressed with Timothy Olyphant as Thomas Gabriel the main bad guy of the piece. Like Willis he has a way of delivering his lines that adds a bit of tension, but also a hint of comedy. There can’t really be any complaints about the rest of the cast, which included Kevin Smith and Maggie Q completing an impressive all round performance.

Overall I was incredibly impressed with Die Hard 4. Part of me was worried that it was going to be a massive failure but thankfully because it stayed true to form and didn’t try to be something it wasn’t it works remarkably well. The release of the movie back on the 4th of July to coincide with Independence day in America was a little cheesy but other than that this is a good all out action film. If you’ve enjoyed any of the Die Hard films you’ll love this. For me it ranks as perhaps the second best of the 4 and certainly a movie I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

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Summary: The return of John McClane after 12 years