Altogether perfect... my favorite movie

Rating: 10/10 (12 April 2005)

For my 100th review on IMDb.com, I have decided to go with my all-time favorite movie, "Die Hard." It is, in my mind, the greatest action movie ever made, and also one of the best movies ever made, period. Its only purpose is to entertain, and entertain it does, without a single dull moment from start to finish. It flies along at a lightning pace, the pyrotechnics and stunts are amazing, and the entire cast shines. McTiernan takes full advantage of the setting, and there is a genuine feeling of claustrophobia and heart-pounding suspense when McClane is sneaking around in the vents and elevator shafts.
Direction aside, even the script itself is cleverly written, with a lot of humor thrown in, and interesting, well-thought-out plot twists (such as McClane taking off his shoes in the beginning, only to seriously regret it later on). It was also a stroke of genius on the screenwriter's part to have it take place during Christmas, ensuring that it would become a perennial classic.
It has been criticized, of course, for being full of clichés, but the fact is, no other action movie has handled those clichés as well as this one. It set the standard for action movies, and since then very few have even come close. "Die Hard" is a nonstop thrill, and all in all the most wildly entertaining movie I have ever seen. 10/10 stars.