Enduring and Timeless Entertainment

Rating: 9/10 (12 June 2014)

This Movie was Made back when Action Movies were Rated R and Contained Bloody Violence and Foul-Mouthed Heroes. That has been Replaced with PG-13,CGI SFX and Washed Out Color and Wimpy Quasi-Realism.
Watching this Film in 2014 the Difference is Profound. The Old-School Way is more Gut-Wrenching, Visceral, and the Result is a Movie with More Staying Power. These Things had Weight brought about by a Look that is Firmly Grounded and Not Ethereal.
This is a Strong Return for Director John McTiernan whose Filmography Contains at Least Two Titles that are Absolutely Incredible. Die Hard (1990) and Predator (1987). This one is No Slouch Either although it is a Return to Form more than a Breakthrough Genre Reinvention.
It has its Weakness, like the Ongoing Racism Dialog between Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson that Wears Thin Quickly but is On Screen Throughout so it is Necessary Baggage. But there is so much Energy and Excitement that it doesn't Hamper the Entertainment, Much.
The Pacing is Pulse-Pounding and it is a Non-Stop Nail Biter that is the Second Best in the Die-Hard Series, with the Villain (Jeremy Irons) Contributing ("I am not a Monster...although I sometimes work for Monsters").
Note...Some ink was used to criticize the Movie for its building explosions because it was released soon after Oklahoma City and the first scene was almost cut, but cooler heads prevailed and it was left in. After all, our way of life, should not be dictated by Terrorists, foreign or domestic.