The way an action movie should be done.

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2011)

Loosely based on the novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Roderick Thorp, and scripted by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza, "Die Hard" is very much one of THE quintessential action movies of the modern era, delivering many thrills and laughs for over two hours.
It gave TV star Bruce Willis one of the defining film roles of his career, as a frustrated, foul mouthed, yet very human and talkative average Joe detective forced into becoming the hero, when a slick group of nasty terrorists infiltrate a high rise office building and cause havoc. John McClane (Willis) has to rely on his own wits and resilience to save the day when the odds seem to be outrageously stacked against him. To add to that, most of the authority figures on the outside turn out to be useless, to put it charitably.
Willis is engaging in the lead, and convincing in action and fight sequences as well. One of the most appreciable and interesting facets to the movie is indeed the "cat and mouse" game he plays with the terrorist leader, a man named Hans Gruber. The always excellent Alan Rickman, at the time a very well respected Shakespearan actor, makes a hell of a film debut as Hans. Hans is an intriguing character because on one hand he's a well dressed, confident, intelligent, and cultured man, yet at the same time, he's a cold blooded creep. The other well developed relationship in the story is between John and L.A.P.D. sergeant Al Powell (future TV star Reginald VelJohnson, in his break through film role), the only person on the outside with more than half a brain in his head and who repeatedly offers John the words of encouragement that he needs.
Lovely Bonnie Bedelia may play the only substantial female role in the movie, as Johns' estranged wife, Holly, but she's a tough cookie who does have the courage to stand up to Hans as he and his men throw their weight around. Alexander Godunov, who'd previously appeared in "Witness", is great fun as the thuggish, vengeance crazed goon Karl, who proves so indestructible near the end he comes off as a horror movie type of villain. Paul Gleason portrays inept, thoughtless deputy police chief Dwayne Robinson, a humourless jerk who served as a prototype for similar roles in future action movies. Other unlikable weasels are memorably portrayed by William Atherton (the stubborn, very self serving reporter) and Hart Bochner (the coke snorting corporate sleaze who foolishly thinks he can reason with Hans). Even the FBI agents on this case (Robert Davi, Grand L. Bush) come off as pretty dumb and don't express too much concern for the hostages. A number of other familiar faces in small roles, too: James Shigeta as corporation boss Takagi, De'voreaux White as the likable limo driver Argyle, Clarence Gilyard Jr. ('Walker: Texas Ranger') as the electronics expert Theo, Al Leong as candy bar thief / terrorist Uli, comedian Rick Ducommun as the city worker, and Mary Ellen Trainor (recognizable to action fans as the psychiatrist in the "Lethal Weapon" series) as the lady newscaster.
"Die Hard" is rough, tough, violent, hair-raising stuff. Although somewhat overextended at two hours and 13 minutes, it never gets dull. Director John McTiernan, who'd already proved his abilities on *his* breakthrough movie, "Predator", guides it all in style, and he and his crew are up to the challenge of shooting sequences in some tight spots. Michael Kamens' music is thrilling, and the special effects by Richard Edlunds' Boss Corporation are most impressive. Often very funny (with a generous dose of quotable dialogue), the story has genuinely touching moments as well. The big finish is especially riveting.
True filmmaking craftsmanship results in superior visceral entertainment the entire time. Four sequels have followed it so far.
In closing, it would be impossible to imagine a fan of this genre not having a copy of this movie in his or her movie collection.
10 out of 10.