Yippee... you know the rest!

Rating: 9/10 (11 May 2016)

I think Die Hard 2 is the best in the series. You have John McClane (Bruce Willis) once again having to save the day when terrorists take over an airport, sabotaging the communications to the planes overhead and holding them at bay. His wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) happens to be on one of the planes, so he really has no choice but to intervene. He has his work cut out for him when he deals with a foe who almost makes Hans Gueber look like a softie. Colonel Stuart (William Sadler) and his recruits make it their mission to rescue a drug lord (Franco Nero) from the custody of the Feds.
The excitement is back. The action, and tension. The humor and wise cracks. The way that McClane argues with Dennis Franz's character is just gold, not to mention how the dialogue just bursts like explosions when the talk gets heated (for example, when John and reporter Cole get pushed out of the tower, or when McClane and the Major debate the difference in their approach to a crisis). I personally love the change of atmosphere in this movie. The first one involved a building and now it's a large airport but an airport being held hostage can be every bit as shocking and dangerous as a large building. The first one was almost like warm sunny desert with the setting in L.A. and "Die Hard 2" is much colder with it taking place in snowy Dulles Airport. I strongly disagree with a previous reviewer saying that it should've taken place in another high-rise office tower. Harlin took a good chance at a new place and really pulled it off very well and the result is another excellent and unforgettable classic with one of the best explosions in movie history. Even elements of Mother Nature (Icicles anyone?) come to the aid of McClane in his battle against Stuarts goons. Well, if you liked the original then you'll love this, I certainly did!
Overall rating: 9 out of 10.