Stupid but Fun

Rating: 8/10 (4 September 2009)

A New York cop takes on a group on terrorists holding hostages in a Los Angelos office building. In a role that catapulted him into a box office star, Willis is terrific as the wise-cracking cop. He is matched by Rickman, marvelous in his film debut as the sneering bad guy. Bedelia is given little to do. VelJohnson is likable as a cop, although his banter with Willis is rather corny. It gets off to a great start and could have been a great film. However, some stupid characters are introduced and the plot becomes increasingly silly as it goes along. McTiernan shows a flair for action, keeping things moving at a frenetic pace.