John McClane steps in the 21st Century. Still rocking!

Rating: 10/10 (14 November 2012)

And who could have thought of seeing the "Die Hard" franchise entering in the 21st Century. It took some time (12 years to be exact) to create a good and relevant plot destined to make a good follow up to one of the most beloved action films and characters of all time, John McClane, greatly played by Bruce Willis. With three outstanding films behind it, the fourth installment doesn't disappoint. However, it's quite soft if put along with the trilogy, this got an PG-13 rating rather than the usual R, so this might upset the hardcore fans of this great franchise.
McClane's challenge here involves technology, to use it in his favor or to be used by it as his antagonist Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) uses it to shut down the whole operative system of the United States, in what hackers call as "fire sale". As his sidekick McClane protects a young and rebel hacker (Justin Long) who might be of help in trying to figure what's going on with those attacks.
"Live Free or Die Hard" is very fun to watch. One can respect and admire Len Wiseman's style of direction and his ability to coordinate impressive action sequences like rare films tend to present these days. But he's not John McTiernan, responsible for the two best "Die Hard" films, combining violent and thrilling moments with powerful loads of humor. As said earlier, this "Die Hard" is too soft for its own sake, too CGI oriented. Even so, Wiseman is best while moving this then directing the blasé "Underworld" series.
Is this a good return for McClane/Willis? Yes, it is! The perfect hero for this kind of plot. Old-fashioned. troublemaker and with his powers reduced in the strict sense of his job (then an detective; now he's an street police officer), McClane finds himself once again in the chaos, this time provoked by Gabriel, who took down the country's energy and all the systems that moves everything, controlling all the communication along with his team of experts that includes an deadly fighter (Maggie Q), and their plan to steal billions of dollars. The task is huge; it's no longer present on a building or an airport or a city; it's a whole nation to look after and a bad guy hidden somewhere, behind powerful technologies and machinery McClane does not know. To John, it's a good way to prove he's not too old for the job; to Willis is an interesting way to explore new boundaries, to show the great hero getting a little tired of his function, questioning what being a hero truly means. He loses in humor but gains plenty in drama. An admirable trade.
The action? Breathtaking as usual such as McClane taking down a helicopter by using a car; the chase with a military plane trying to hit a truck conducted by the hero; the shootout at the hacker's house; and the ending (oh that memorable ending!) among others.
If compared with the others "Die Hard" this is a little weak; let alone it's an exciting and fun movie. Who can resist to this franchise and the unforgettable "Yippie-Kay-Yay, Mother(beep)? 10/10