Absolutely ridiculous but incredible fun

Rating: 9/10 (9 March 2008)

Revival of the Die Hard franchise sees Willis' McClane up against Cyber terrorists.
It's been a while coming - the Die Hard trilogy seemed to be the neat conclusion of a very engaging and enduring action story, featuring Bruce Willis' legendary McClane as the cop who all bad things seem to happen to - but rumours began to spread that a fourth offering was in the works, and here we are in 2007/2008 and a shiny new Die Hard movie.
First things first - yes, it is called Die Hard, and yes it has Bruce Willis as John McClane - but those are basically the only real aspects this one has in common with the other 3 bar the obvious genre attachment.
This McClane is older, wiser, a little less wisecracking, but also more charming than he used to be. And that's not the only difference.
To sum up the story, a terrorist organisation headed by Olyphant's fairly mediocre villain (not really the actor's fault, the character just wasn't that good, certainly compared to the previous Die Hard villains) is trying to shut down the USA - public services, national security, computer systems; these are being targetted for incapacitation.
Long's computer hacker genius Farrell is being targetted by this organisation for elimination - but McClane rescues him and the two set about trying to save the day.
First and foremost, a movie has to be entertaining - and Die Hard 4 is absolutely that. It is 100MPH from beginning to end, and manages to engage the cyberpunk world without totally confusing the viewer. The direction is simply not noticeable at all, such is the pace the whole thing moves at.
The action sequences are a lot of fun; big explosions, fights, gunfights, and the odd car chase or two. Die Hard 4 has it all and manages to fit it all together without it seeming disjointed.
However, as hinted at in my title, the action sequences (and most of the movie, being honest) is just so implausible and utterly ridiculous that suspension of disbelief is entirely required.
Truth is though, you won't much care - it's just a fun blast from beginning to end which never takes itself remotely seriously.
The reason this feels removed from the rest of the trilogy is because it doesn't have the same grit - it's a lot more smooth and hi tech, and fun. And as mentioned, this really isn't the same McClane as he once was.
That doesn't matter though. It does what all movies should do - entertain, engage, and captivate.