Die Hard (1988) – Review by Andrea Carnevali

Die Hard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let’s face it, everyone has seen “Die Hard”, probably even more than once. We all know it is a Christmas classic, an action movie legend, and an absolute thrill ride that’s as enjoyable now as it was when it first hit theatres in 1988.

But just when you think you know it all and watch it again, you begin to notice new things—and that’s when you discover why this film is such an enduring masterpiece.

At its core, “Die Hard” is the ultimate underdog story, featuring Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York cop who finds himself trapped in a Los Angeles skyscraper during a holiday party gone horribly wrong. What begins as a typical Christmas gathering turns into a hostage situation, as a group of highly skilled terrorists, led by the suave Hans Gruber (the incomparable Alan Rickman), takes control.

But McClane isn’t just any cop. He’s smart, resourceful, and he’s determined to save the day, one quip at a time. What truly sets this film apart from the countless action flicks that followed is its perfect blend of tension, humour, and heart.

While many “Die Hard-like” films (Under Siege, Skyscraper, Sudden Death and even all the Die Hard sequels, just to mention a few) have tried to capture its spirit, they often fall short, lacking the charm and authenticity that director John McTiernan masterfully brings to this story.

Famously the director didn’t want to take the job because he thought the story was too grim and nasty, which is why he tried as much as possible to inject humour and joy into it (all the way to including the “Ode to Joy” itself by Beethoven).And at the centre, he placed a hero which is not just defiant, but relatable and vulnerable too.

Watching him navigate the chaos within the Nakatomi Tower, with grit and even more wit is immensely satisfying. From the nail-biting suspense of McClane’s cat-and-mouse game with Gruber and the unexpected emotional beats, “Die Hard” keeps you on the edge of your seat and entertains you like few things can these days. And that’s without even mentioning the countless memorable one-liners.

Who can forget Gruber’s deadpan deliveries (Mr Takagi won’t be joining us for the rest of his life),or McClane’s iconic “Yippee-ki-yay” or the camaraderie he builds with the police officer outside the building, played by Reginald VelJohnson?

Their interactions (amazingly some of it was pretty much improvised on the day) add a layer of humanity that feels genuine and earned while at the same time grounding the high-stakes action set-pieces.

McTiernan subverts traditional action film tropes. McClane’s everyman charm and unorthodox methods challenge the standard heroic archetype that were so in vouge during the 80s (think of Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Segal).

The film’s commentary on corporate greed, presumptuous police and the holiday season may be subtle background stuff, but it adds layers to the film and still works today. Plus, the fact that McClane is not just fighting for justice but also for his estranged wife (despite what Bruce Willis controversially claimed), brings an extra layer of emotional stakes that elevate the narrative beyond simple explosions and gunfights.

I’ll be showing this film again on Wednesday 18 (at 19.45) as part of my film club. I was I first given this film I thought to myself “Oh well, that’ll be fun, but is there anything to say about it, really?”.

It was only when I sat down to watch the film again, in preparation for my chat, that I began to rediscover how meticulously constructed this film is, from its iconic score to its pulse-pounding editing, from the subtle visual storytelling techniques, to the intricacies of character development and even to the clever use of sound which enhanced the experience like I had never realised before.

“Die Hard” remains a thrilling ride filled with action, humour, and a story that keeps us coming back for more… and of course, despite what Bruce Willis might have said, it is the perfect Christmas movie! “Ho-ho-ho”

 

Andrea Carnevali is a Bafta winning film maker who lives in Chiswick, and a co-creator of the Chiswick In Film festival.

See all Andrea’s film reviews here: Film reviews by Andrea Carnevali

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