The Defining Action Movie Of The 80s.... of all time in fact.

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2007)

There has been a barrage of big, dumb action movies since people could afford to blow stuff up for cinematic purposes. Two things these movies tend to lack are a well structured plot and good character development.
In 1988, Die Hard came out. Bruce Willis, who beforehand only had Blind Date and Moonlighting to his credit, was cast as the main character, John McClane. The thing that separated McClane from any other action heroes at the time is that McClane is an average joe. He's not a robot, he's not a martial arts expert. He's just a guy, vulnerable, bitter about his failing marriage, a wiseass.
While visiting his wife Holly for a Christmas party at her office building, a band of well-armed "terrorists" seize control, locking all the exits and securing all the hostages. All except McClane. Armed with only his police issued pistol and lacking a pair of shoes, he engages in a game of cat and mouse with terrorist leader, Hans Gruber, a methodical, precise, and patient villain.
The supporting characters are also great; Ellis, Holly's annoying, coked-out coworker. Powell, McClane's lifeline and only friend on the outside. Dwayne, the powertripping deputy who second-guesses McClane along the way. The incompetent F.B.I. agents. Love or hate them, the supporting characters are all rich with personality.
Die Hard was groundbreaking at the time, and twenty years later, it still holds up as a timeless classic where other action movies have dated themselves with poor special-effects and non-existent story lines.