I'd still pick Vengeance over this for some reason... But the original is better!

Rating: 9/10 (13 September 2014)

Some define Die Hard as the greatest action movie of the 1980s. They are perfectly correct, although others run it close.
Die Hard is a powerful, if very ludicrous hostage movie where German terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take citizens partying inside the upper floors of the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve hostage as they try to seize $640 million in bearer bonds (giant $100k bank notes, in effect).
But they probably didn't expect ace NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis), visiting his estranged wife for the holidays, to incapacitate or kill each of Gruber's supporting minions, one by one and unravel his plan.
Alan Rickman was great as Hans Gruber. His German accent was decent enough and he made for a very evil character. But the cake has to go to Willis for his performance as the hardcore McClane. Before Die Hard, Bruce was in this TV show called Moonlighting and there was no way people would think he could rival Schwarzenegger in the action man stakes. How wrong they all were.
Willis plays his role to perfection. His dialogue, humour, intelligence and busted up physique were just completely seamless. He hardly feels pain, but the fact that he has a sense of fear makes him feel a lot more vulnerable than some of Schwarzenegger's characters. His humanity is incredible. In no way was he going to win an Oscar, but either way it is an injustice he wasn't nominated for a major award in some shape or form, such as a Saturn. Maybe I'm overrating him but he felt so real.
The supporting cast is also superb. I really like the cop who discusses problems with McClane over the radio, but as for the terrorists, I wasn't focusing on any of them that much. It was funny that all of the gutless 'good guys' e.g. much more linear and arrogant police officers, horrible news reporters (Holly punching the journalist in the face at the end felt sooooo justified) got some comeuppance for their behaviour.
Every few minutes there is a scene of action that builds on the previous one, culminating in that giant explosion on the roof. Over time the tower (and McClane's appearance) deteriorate to the point where it is almost a smouldering ruin. Overall, Die Hard blew away all other contenders at the time and was a template for following action movies (I think Taken referenced a few moments and themes in Die Hard, for example).
Yet unusually if had to choose one Die Hard movie, I'd probably take Die Hard with A Vengeance instead of the original... I guess because the setting and supporting cast is more recognized.