It's a non-stop seat-gripper that won't quit until it has ignited enough spark for two action films.

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2007)

My Take: Just as good, if better, than the original.
I thought the first "Die Hard" film was an enjoyable and energetic thrill ride. So with such a success, isn't it time for a sequel. Yes, "Die Hard 2" was born, released mere years after the original. This action sequel reunites Bruce Willis with his role, John McLane, from the first film. I think that "Die Hard 2", subtitled "die harder", is among the films I'd classify as the "Great Action Movies", a group of well-made action films that, to me, acts like a roller-coaster ride, making you wish that the theater would apply a seat belt buckle on your seat. Definitely it's on the par with other action films like the "Indy Jones" series, "Lethal Weapon" films, and the first "Die Hard". Actually, I think this is more enjoyable than the first film, but still shares the non-stop thrills and wall-to-wall action of its predecessor. It's a non-stop seat gripper that won't quit until it has ignited enough spark for two action films.
As said, Willis returns as hero McLane, on a Washington airport, waiting for his wife's plane to depart. The plane that his wife (Bonnie Bedelia) is on board, is on of the planes that are circling around the airport, desperately delayed from their landing time. But things are about to get stickier when terrorists, led by Col. Stuart (William Sadler), a former government agent turned double-crosser, seize control of the airport's tower, and threaten to crash the beleaguered planes circling above. While already faced with a few problems, including a stubborn airport security (Dennis Franz), a hard-headed government specialist (John Amos), and his wife's plane desperately running out of fuel, McLane starts another all-out war against the mercenaries, and what follows is a thrill-packed adrenaline rush, that wouldn't have been possible, if not gifted with talented direction and superb action sequences.
But the film isn't just good for that, "Die Hard2" is one of those very few sequels to great films that actually live up. or maybe better than their predecessor. This one did, and I more than appreciate it for that and so much more. Willis is always a charm as a strong, action hero that can make a charm to his role more than once. Director Renny Harlin keeps the film in a roaring pace that keeps on going and going until the credits roll. It's not at all easy to put up a sequel to a blockbuster film, and it's more of a challenge if your objective is to top the predecessor. But, well, they did. And, boy, did they do it right!
Rating: ***** out of 5.