"Die Hard" (1988) is excellent because it is not complicated...and the music is very good, too

Rating: 8/10 (15 October 2012)

"Die Hard" (1988) is excellent because it is not complicated...and the music is very good, too.
The entire story, with only a few cutaways lasting a total of 5 minutes for the entire movie, takes place in one, easy to understand location.
The script is simple, and characters are not given jokes and speeches they can't handle and which slow the movie down. The first two Die Hard movies are different in that way. The second Die Hard movie is filled with script speeches and add-on jokes and wise cracks which don't work, and the first Die Hard movie is not burdened with script writing which tries too hard.
The use of the Beethoven "Ode To Joy" theme from the Ninth Symphony is used very interestingly and very well, and is included in an orchestral version during the closing credits.
The same end of the movie presentation of classical music was done for Die Hard Two when "Finlandia" is played in its entirety during the final credits.
Die Hard (1988) is presented as a relatively simple combat situation between the main villain (Alan Rickman) and the main hero (Bruce Willis), and other characters are not given as much "center stage spotlight" time and importance as they are in Die Hard Two. Die Hard One is better for that reason.
Most hit movies which spawn follow up movies are not as good in follow up versions and variations. This is true with Die Hard One, the best of the Die Hard series.
Movie making is always a committee event, and the old adage which states "a camel is a horse put together by a committee" applies to movies and explains in part why so very few movies are truly excellent.
The making of follow up movies is especially a problem for the "committee style" which dominates most movies.
Die Hard (1988) is a good movie because it is simple, easy to follow, and not complicated by attempts to "improve it."
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Written by Tex Allen, SAG Actor.
Visit WWW.IMDb.Me/TexAllen for movie credits and biography.
Email to TexAllen@Rocketmail.Com