Director: John McTiernan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Bruce Willis. Ever since his rise towards stardom during the 1990’s, Willis has become a beloved icon in Hollywood. Whether it’s corrupt police officers, terrorists enduring dangers or armageddon survivors, Willis has proven that he can portray various characters. However, in 2022 Willis’ career came towards a sudden closure when he was diagnosed with aphasia. Willis’ diagnosis of a painful disease caused him to retire from the film industry. His changing decisions to retire left the industry of entertainment in a dire state mourning the loss of an actor audiences had come to admire. In the wake of his retirement, Willis has become an icon in entertainment. An actor with legacy that’s lasting, Willis has created several strong characters that are enduring. Throughout his illustrious career, Willis created many powerful films that are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Willis and adore all the films he made throughout his career. However, “Die Hard” has always been my favourite. Since its release in 1988, Bruce Willis’ movie has stood the test of time as an action classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best action movies ever made. At a centre of it all is an amazing performance by Bruce Willis, who embodies a courageous cop that seeks to save a sky-high storey from disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Die Hard” a classic is its message. The film delivers a phenomenal message about the dangers of terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal action blockbuster, there are several reasons why “Die Hard” is a movie which is absolutely worth seeing.
Set during Christmas Eve, “Die Hard” tells the story of a cop which embarks on a mission to rescue a skyscraper that faces danger. Bruce Willis embodies John McClane, a cop with a strong dedication towards his profession. John has always enjoyed doing his job. However, his life forever changes when his family is put in grave danger in a skyscraper. Held hostage by the frightening terrorist Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), McClane’s family is put in a tough situation. Left with no choice, McClane goes on a mission to save his family from a hotel building facing destruction. As he discovers painful secrets about the terrorists, McClane begins questioning whether he will ever be able to save his family. Facing a dilemma, McClane questions whether it’s possible to rescue his family from a situation of grave trauma. As all the odds are clearly stacked against his favour, McClane questions if he would be able to save his family from a sky-scraper in danger.
John McTeirnan has often been drawn to the action movie genre. Before he directed “Die Hard”, McTiernan was known for his intense blockbusters. His film “Predator” offered an engaging depiction of a team seeking to fight extra-terrestrial predators. With “Die Hard”, however, McTiernan created his first terrorist thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of cops seeking to rescue sky-high storeys from grave dangers, but he succeeded tremendously. Through stunning cinematography, McTiernan captures a cop seeking to save a building from terrorists that cause catastrophe. Visually, the film is a bold feast for the eyes. McTiernan effectively uses handheld camera to capture a cop seeking to rescue civilians from a sky-scraper enduring a dilemma. For instance, handheld camera suits the terrorist attack scene. During this intense scene, John McClane is shocked to discover that the sky-scraper building he is stuck in is invaded by terrorists causing danger. Through handheld camera, McTiernan captures a cop facing a dilemma seeking to save a building facing trauma. Handheld cinematography is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” claimed, handheld camerawork enhances commemorated crime thrillers about gangsters. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning cinematography, McTiernan captures a building attacked with terrorists facing tragedy.
Another admirable aspect of “Die Hard” which merits appreciation is the production. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s which tend to be outdated, the film has aged extremely well with action sequences that remain thrilling today. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. McTiernan expertly uses confined locations of a sky-scraper building to create tension. It isn’t easy to shoot a movie within in a confined setting. Movies that are set entirely in one location are scarcely ever entertaining. However, it works tremendously in this movie. For instance, the confined location of a hotel elevates the elevator scene. During this tense scene, John McClane attempts to climb into an apartment to combat terrorists which pose danger. Using confined locations, McTiernan builds unbearable sense of tension. Confined locations are tricky techniques to use in films. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” suggested, confined locations elevate horror films about isolation. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Michael Kamen’s music is integral towards success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that terrorists bear. Through strong production-design, McTiernan captures building that decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “Die Hard” is a captivating action classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture tensions faced by cops seeking to save buildings from a situation of danger. McTiernan’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is his ability to capture the danger faced by cops through symbolism. Throughout the movie, the hotel building becomes a powerful symbol of John McClane’s devotions towards his family. McClane is dedicated to saving his family from the sky-scraper in grave danger. For instance, the symbolism of the hotel elevates the police scene. During this unforgettable scene, John McClane seeks to gain the attention of a cop that has arrived at the site of the apartment. One admires symbolism capturing hardships faced by cops seeking to save buildings from danger. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in films. As M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” suggested, symbolism elevates horror movies about ghosts. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through compelling storytelling, McTiernan captures cops which seek to save buildings from terrorists that are terrifying.
One admired astonishing performances.
Bruce Willis delivers one of his greatest career performances as John McClane. Willis gained appreciation for playing heroes in action films. With “Die Hard”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody persona of an action hero seeking to rescue a building from trauma, but Willis succeeded immensely. It’s a role that gave Willis the opportunities to showcase his talent for portraying charismatic action heroes. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and sensitive in his most vulnerable role. With bold expressions, Willis captures the heroism, anger and reckless nature of a cop seeking to save a building from danger. It’s a stellar performance from one of the greatest actors working in the industry today.
Alan Rickman is astonishing as a terrorist that is committed to complete a mission of causing destruction. While Willis gets the showier role, Rickman is equally excellent as a terrorist that causes lives to spiral out of control. Rickman is one of those stars that has always had a flair for playing evil villains in his career that evoke fear, and “Die Hard” was a stunning showcase for his talents. Rickman uses his commanding voice to create a villain terrorist that’s terrifying. Whether he’s issuing cruel orders to his henchman or having a tense phone call with John McClane, Rickman uses his commanding voice to create a terrorist that is compelling. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most talented actors working in the film in faith today.
Finally, “Die Hard” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the themes of survival. Unlike most action blockbusters, it discusses universal themes that everyone would relate to. The film tackles powerful themes including identity, courage and terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the action genre to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about terrorism that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Die Hard” is one of those rare blockbusters everyone would adore.
Fans of Bruce Willis will definitely enjoy “Die Hard” and so will movie-goers seeking taut entertainment. A breathtaking action classic, it celebrates a legendary actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about cops willing to die hard seeking to rescue innocent civilians from terrorists invading buildings that are terrifying, it’s riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has gained a huge following through his abilities to portray heroes that are compelling whose engaging movies are worth celebrating years after he made the decision to retire leaving the world mourning.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 