A sub par effort in a historically incredible action series

Rating: 7/10 (8 July 2007)

Now I am writing this having most recently seen the fourth installment Live Free or Die Hard so I am surrounded by the brilliance that was Die Hard, Die Harder and Live Free and With a Vengeance does hold a candle or small lighter to any of the other installments. It's my opinion that Die Hard With a Vengeance was rushed and put together to get another Die Hard out there although I must give it respect for holding a certain amount of 'Die Hard' fans if you'll excuse the pun because I know there are people who have a great deal of respect and love this entry and kudos to them because With A Vengeance has some very unique and important details about it. It is now a decent bridge between Die Harder and Live Free because John McClane is divorced from Holly, a barely functioning alcoholic, suspending from the NYPD, but he jumps right back into action when it involves saving lives and kicking bad guy ass without barely questioning it. This is the first time McClane gets a real sidekick in the action with him, something they continue in Live Free or Die Hard. It also bridges the first and third films by bringing a villain into the mix who supposedly wants Vengeance for the death of his brother Hans Gruber (played wickedly by Alan Rickman in the original Die Hard.) Most of the Die Hard elements are here but yet the story is a little more...well story. With A Vengeance seems to focus more on the actual story than the action. Compared to the other three films With A Vengeance is very, very light on the action despite opening up with a big bang. It appears to go more for suspense, thriller, and dialog then the typical action sequences of the other installments.
Still you can't say anything bad about the master of the action film Mr. Bruce Willis who brings his kick butt action hero John McClane back and is still watchable, fun, and one of the best action heroes in history. Say what you will about Willis and his acting ability (although personally I think he's a terrific actor) the man is a presence on screen and makes the film worthwhile. Enter the first real side kick for John McClane. Who could possibly be man enough to put with up with McClane's antics? Samuel L. Jackson, one of the coolest mutha %#$#&*&! on the planet. Jackson plays street wise, white hating, store owner Zeus Carver. Now Jackson also gets the character with the most story, background and interesting plot line as he is forced to work with someone he doesn't like in order to save innocent people. Carver and McClane are practically identical. Willis and Jackson have great chemistry together and Jackson doesn't take the spotlight away from Willis which he could easily do. Zeus Carver becomes a Die Hard icon. Jeremy Irons continues the villainous terrorist streak by portraying Simon Gruber. Irons is appropriately evil and has no thought to innocent bystanders (although spares a school of children mostly for his own fun.) Irons is the perfect Die Hard villain for certain. He is right up there close to Rickman. Larry Bryggman, and Graham Greene are the forefront police officers on the other end of McClane's walkie talkie and they do a decent job as well keeping in time with the Die Hard recipe.
The cast are all great. And there is enough interesting moments in the film to keep you interested but it just doesn't put you on the edge of your seat like every other Die Hard film has done. The story is a little slower, a little action focused and too much time is spent establishing the "big bad heist" going on. On top of that I don't think the fight sequences that do exist are nearly the quality you'd expect from Die Hard. This is all very surprising seeing as how original Die Hard director John McTiernan returns to the helm. But then McTiernan has since fallen into the same trouble with other films he has directed, too much story in an action genre. You can still a great story and still have intense action (Live Free or Die Hard for example.) Die Hard With A Vengeance just seems to drag and I know many will hate me for saying it but it just doesn't live up to the other installments. That being said it has to be seen...case closed...it's an important entry into the series and a 90's classic so you can't not see it...just don't have high expectations and you'll be fine. 7/10