a Timex watch in a digital age

Rating: 7/10 (10 February 2013)

Bruce Willis is back as cop John McClane. McLane is a Timex watch in a digital age, according to the bad guys. Well, I happen to be wearing a digital Timex watch and it does the job thanks.
Justin Long plays computer geek Matt Farrell, and does it well. As for the othersÂ… the baddies' leader, Thomas Gabriel, played by Timothy Olyphant, comes over as lightweight. There's a nice turn by Mary Winstead, playing McClane's daughter Lucy Gennaro (McClane).
Yes, the plot is a bit lame with a gang of computer geeks set to take over the world by messing with the internet. Their motivation becomes apparent as we uncover more of the background of their leader but is never completely convincing. Fortunately the production crew are more talented than the average Washington driver, who just seems to drive into other cars if the lights turn green.
The action scenes here are brilliant, and frequent. Anyone who can take down a helicopter by launching a police car into the air deserves respect. I managed to suspend my disbelief at the powers of various computer hackers long enough to enjoy the unfolding story and the wry humour. Willis is smart enough to know how to handle this stuff and it's due to him that this film works. With a more convincing villain and plot I would have given it a nine. Bruce saves it from slipping below a seven, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.