High Thrills and Hard to Kill

Rating: 10/10 (15 December 2019)

One of the things I love about action films is just like with the suspense thrillers it plays with all the what ifs, where something that most likely wouldn't happen or are considered unthinkable does and from this two questions are asked, "if ever put under the spot how would we deal with the situation?" and "is it possible to survive and win?"
This film is one of my favorite movies of all time, but also, it's my second favorite action film of all time. And of course, one of my favorite Christmas movies. I remember seeing this when I was an adolescent it blew me away, even today I still have lots of fun watching. Heck, even watching the trailer for this film is lots of fun, with that music going on and hearing some of that narrative from the late great Don Lamonte, he always had that great voice for ad narration and is something I sorely miss in trailers.
And this film wasn't just another 80's action film it was a phenomenon where this film has established itself as a subgenre in the action genre as many other films throughout the year and TV episodes have utilized the format like the movie "Under Siege" and the underrated "Toy Soldiers" but that's and many others are different stories. Even has a few video games, two of them are good like "Die Hard Trilogy" for PS1 and "Die Hard Arcade". There were even two pre sequel comics from Boom Studios based on John McClane that are surprisingly good. And even most recently a tabletop game that is cool.
I really love the plotline; from the way it's conducted it feels plausible; who's to say it can't happen or no criminal organization has every had this in the back of their minds.
The characters are great there are a lot of colorful characters.
Karl played by late and underrated actor Alexander Godunov whom is a solid subordinate villain as he is just throughout the film from beginning to end, hellbent in liquidating McClane. It's just interesting how as the film gets further along the more this guy's cool and sanity is just melting faster than the polar ice caps.
And of course, the late great Alan Rickman one of my favorite actors is great as Hans Gruber, this is one of my favorite roles from him and he's an honorable mention in favorite fictional villains. The Hans Gruber character isn't really a deep character as he's more of an archetypal villain but I think it was really in Alan's performance that makes him stand out, from the sharp German accent that you feel ever word could almost cut you like a knife.
He's a villain that is just constantly in control, much like a chess player he is a step or two ahead as he already has an elaborate plan in action. But he's very cold, calculating, and ruthless he isn't afraid to off anybody that gets in the way or tries to ruin his scheme. But also the guy has a dry charisma which means he's got some memorable lines and humor but in a different way, one line that makes me snicker is "I read about them in Time magazine." , I know small line but once you see the scene you'll know why it's funny.
Supporting characters are good like Officer Dwight whom is played by the late and underrated actor Paul Gleason. He's is someone you just love to dislike as he is pretty much that stereotypical jerk police chief whom we see is constantly trying to oversee the situation but it really not in charge of jack squat. What's funny about him is that he's practically a moron, but I do like that he at least tries to help despite not good at it.
And there is of course Sergeant Al Powell played well by Reginald VelJohnson, whom I always call the character Carl Winslow as that is that actors signature character from the TV show "Family Matters" as both characters are kind of the same. Anyway, really like how he really provides support for John by keeping him up to date on what's going on the ground as well as provide some intelligence from John about the perpetrators. But just like the back and forth between both of them which is touching and gives the film the buddy cop element, but here it's different because it's a long distance friendship; I thought that was cool because it's something different that don't see in that sub-genre.
But of course, it's the protagonist himself we love and are here for. Bruce Willis whom is an honorable mention in favorite actors in my book is great as John McClane, this is my favorite role from him, it's practically his signature role and John is sort of an honorable mention in favorite fictional heroes.
At the time he wasn't your typical or conventional action hero as he wasn't a man of muscle or not much muscle, let alone had the greatest set of fighting skills but that's part of why this action hero is great is because he's you everyday guy which made him somewhat relatable and shows how you don't have to be a man of muscle to kick ass.
One of the things this action hero has going for him is his sharp, witty, wise cracking charisma; this character just has lots of funny and memorable lines; he's much like Deadpool as he just keeps the jokes and lines coming. This in a way really helps in keeping his cool as well as being able to think straight under a highly stressful situation.
I even like how human the guy is as we get some depth into him, as we see his marriage is on the rocks and he's aware that he's not perfect that part of the reason is he fraked up a little, but he really does want to make things better you can say this situation was one hell of a way to do it. I also just like how he reacts to things which feel like how any ordinary person would react, really like how at times he talks to himself to help himself think, in those scenes the film is almost a one man show, one of my favorite quotes is "Think God Damnit Think." Yeah that what I always say whenever I have a certain dilemma I have to deal with.
Also, you see in some places how tired and slightly irritated mannerism as you can tell half the time he's thinking "I don't want to do this, I really don't.", he didn't ask nor want to put himself in the action hero position as all he really wanted to do was the simplest thing spending Christmas with his family. But he has no choice so he pretty much rolls his eyes and goes with the role as no one else can do it, let alone his life and many others depend on it.
The action is well choregraphed, I like that it doesn't look too smooth which makes the film a bit realistic if you can believe that. You have some solid shootouts in the building like one that involves probably the biggest boardroom meeting table I've ever seen, which is kind of funny as it seems big enough to fit Congress. As well as a one on one fight which is one of my favorite one on ones of all time as both Karl and John are going at it, I liked the way it was done because it really felt realistic as it looked like real fighting. As a real fight wouldn't be perfectly choregraphed and there are no rules involved as both are fighting dirty.
And of course, the effects are great like the explosion which are practical there's no CGI bullcrap which makes them look beautiful. My favorite is of course the explosion of the third floor, when I saw, word will fail to describe this as you have to see it for yourself but seeing it, I thought "Wow, John you nuked the building."
Music is also great, there are plenty of memorable scores which create excitement and suspense. Even like the use of one famous Christmas song from Dean Martin in the end credits "Let it Snow" every time I hear that song, I can't help but think of this film.
What also makes this action film unique is the suspense from the physical situations of going from point A to B, surviving the firefights, and close calls in places that really put me on the edge of my seat.
But also, double layered and clever in what is revealed to us and not revealed. Where on one hand you are sometimes in the robber's shoes as you actually do want them to open that vault, but seeing their perspective actually helps make us at times part of the action because we actually are one step ahead of the protagonist. And the suspense is hopping the protagonist will be able to catch up on time, get a step ahead but also help fill in a blank or two because despite knowing most of Han's plans there is one part of it, we still don't understand.
Also, it's not just physical warfare but it's also a war of wits. Both John and Hans are both smart people, Han's heist plan and methodology is fool proof but the problem with him and the robbers is their thinking is inflexible and rigid because they never counted on an anomaly in the plan. John his intelligence might not be on the same level as Hans, as Hans stated he's had the finest education but good enough, because the thing about John is that his thinking is unorthodox, he is able to improvise and think on his feet literally.
Die Hard will blow you away and Merry Christmas.
Rating: 4 stars