Quality but not without flaws

Rating: 7/10 (23 July 2010)

The Not-Too-Revealing Synopsis: This is the fourth in the "Die Hard" action series that centers on a New York cop who begrudgingly serves in the hero role against a highly organized criminal plot.
The Not-Too-Revealing Review: "Live Free or Die Hard," succeeds as an action blockbuster and is undeserving of the usually accompanying adjective "mindless." The rough, tough, bruiser of a NY cop is still there, though now with some exploration of just what it is that makes him capable of performing his heroic feats. The stuck-in-the-80s McClane is juxtaposed with a technological world and the people - good guys and bad - that populate it. These and a few more thoughtful and even more subtle themes run through the film and give it a well-rounded flavor. Though mostly adequate justification is given for the appropriate suspension of disbelief, there were three scenes in particular that pushed it too far. For thorough enjoyment you have to overlook those moments. Typically the preface "It was never intended to win an Oscar" is used to give license to mind-numbing special effects and action drivel but not so with this "Die Hard." Make no mistake - this is an action film - 97% pure action - but the remaining 3% supplies quality character development that sets this action film apart from the standard. I highly recommend this to any Die Hard followers and anyone who enjoys an action movie.