Die HardCillian8.5· December 26, 2024FollowI just want to preface this by saying this is not a traditional review of the film, this is just developing the notes that I took after the film. Things I like:- Using the layers of the building to create a familiar atmosphere that makes the building feel real location.- It knows how to build-up the tension and action throughout the film, not shooting all its tricks in one shot.- The overall late-night aesthetic it has (it works really well as a 2am film that you watch alone, I am speaking from experience).- The characterisation of John McClane adds a lot. His constant comments feel sincere and luckily (and somehow) don’t fall into the “well that just happened trappings” that you see in a lot of writing (Bruce Willis’ performance definitely helps in this regard).- How incompetent everyone is, with each being worst than the last police department to how the FBI handles the situation. Also love the whole set piece with the “friend” trying to control the situation.- Completely understands of how manipulative the news would be during a situation like this.- I like how, even slightly, it gives the terrorists little characterisations such as the guy who takes the chocolate bar and the phrases the computer nerd uses.- The action is really engaging throughout, very-well edited and shot. It never feels like a bunch-of shooting with no real consequences.- I like how it does try to have an emotional core with John and his wife, and how that’s built up in the first act. I like the conclusion, but as you will see in what I disliked, I wish there was slightly more done in the second-act. Things I dislike:- Yes, Al’s backstory is just as bad (alongside being horribly handled) as everyone says it is, definitely deserves its criticism.- Not to go into Cinemasins level criticisms, but it has always bothered me how long the guy with the brother stays hanging and still being alive, there’s no way he would have lived lol.- Not as much of an issue as the previous two, but I wish there was slightly more re-the relation of McClane and Holly. The film clearly understands the pettiness that appears to happen through the men’s perspective in relationships, and I do believe in McClane’s conclusion in the bathroom to be sincere, but I wish there was slightly more built-up to reach this conclusion apart from thinking he’s about to die. Like, two minutes maybe is all we really need here with a reflection half-way through the action (maybe a “what would have happened if I wasn’t hear due to my pettiness” to break-up the storyline, idk really).- The final fight between McClane and the brother (which ends with the hanging), feels way less engaging to me as the rest of the action in this film, especially given the way more interesting roof-situation happening at the same time. Final thoughts:It’s rare for one of these 80’s classics to be as great all-these later as pop-culture makes it out to be, but this is one of the exceptions. Still one of the best films in the action genre and it completely deserves it’s classic status.CommentsSign in to react and join the conversation.Sign inGet the app
