More Die Hard: With a Whimper

Rating: 7/10 (25 January 2004)

I will admit that, when I saw Die Hard 3 in the theater, I was completely disappointed. While the first two Die Hards were packed with adrenaline, this one seemed to just sit there. However, having had the opportunity to watch it again, I find myself a little less critical of it. In actuality, had this not been labelled a Die Hard installment, it would've held up as a decent action film. Sure, it pales by comparison to the first two films, but I don't think it aspired to be anything more than what it is.

Bruce Willis' John McClane bore no resemblance to the McClane we remember so fondly. If anything, he could've been a distant cousin of characters he has played in other movies, such as The Fifth Element, for example. What was missing, for me, was the occasional witty aside that has been the staple of the series. His "mime" comment aside, there really weren't any memorable lines uttered. If the first two Die Hards were rollercoaster rides, this one was more a ride on the merry-go-round!
If I have any major complaint about this film, it was the ending. When I first saw it, I couldn't help but think that the producers had run out of money and had to throw together some kind of ending to wrap things up. Repeated viewings have done little to change that opinion. Maybe I've just been spoiled by the previous two films, but I felt cheated by the way they chose to bring down the curtain on this one.
Overall, I would say that Die Hard 3 does work. The cat and mouse games were involving, the "bad guys" were properly menacing, and there was more than enough suspense throughout. Change the ending, and leave out the references to his marriage and you've got yourself a pretty terrific little movie. Still, even as is, it's worth watching.