Live Free or Die Hard

Rating: 8/10 (26 June 2007)

First of all, let me just say I've only seen the first and third Die Hard movies. I thought the first one was great. With a Vengeance was pretty good. I never have gotten around to seeing the second one, but I'm pretty sure I've not heard anything great about it. So, where does that put me with Live Free or Die Hard? I'll say that it's on par with the first one. Not as good, but not very far behind.
For anyone who is concerned about the PG-13 rating, don't be. This movie is just as brutal if not more brutal than the past Die Hard films. There's plenty of violence, and I'm frankly kind of shocked that this didn't receive an R rating. Bottom line, the only thing that you're missing because of the PG-13 is a bunch of F bombs from John McClane. To me, that's not a big deal.
The action is just crazy. Though some of the stunts are silly and unrealistic, keep in mind that this is a summer action movie. The fight scene between McClane and Mai, played by the sexy Maggie Q, is just awesome and had me on the edge of my seat.
Now, I think Timothy Olyphant is awesome and I've enjoyed him in the movies I've seen him in, but he doesn't do anything spectacular in this. He's just a dry, boring villain by the name of Thomas Gabriel in my opinion. I was disappointed with him because he's one of my favorite actors and he wasn't that great in this.
Then again, eating my own words, this is a summer action movie and the villain is not meant to be spectacular. He's just a villain.
Kudos go to Justin Long. I like this guy, and I think he has tremendous potential. He really holds his own next to Willis as Matt Farrell, a computer hacker who may have played a part in a cyber-terrorist attack.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Lucy McClane. And of course she gets kidnapped by Gabriel. I was disappointed that she didn't have much to do in this, because she is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses.
Bottom line, this is a fun movie to watch without having to use too much brain power. A nice way to bring John McClane back.