Die Hard 4.0 hacks through a generic plot and grants access to exciting set pieces.

Rating: 6/10 (21 April 2019)

The fourth Die Hard film, or as I like to call it "the last good Die Hard instalment", sees John McClane do what John McClane does best. Singlehandedly saving the country from terrorists by being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The ultimate in plot conveniences, for the fourth time around. Inevitably the procedural plot is wearing thin since the masterful original graced Hollywood, but name another film that sees a badass cop drive a car into a hovering helicopter in the middle of downtown rush hour. Exactly, you can't! Which is why I'll always find blockbusting enjoyment in this outrageous sequel. McClane is tasked in delivering a hacker to the government, but is caught up in a national crisis when a virtual terrorist takes control of the country's computer systems.
Financial controls, communication satellites and even America's greatest technological advancement yet...traffic lights. On a surface level, it's just another Die Hard flick with Willis portraying the infamous policing cowboy for the last time (because the fifth film did not happen, ok?). Dig a little deeper, and you'll find it's still a mindless action film that has, unlike McClane, evolved into the 21st century. It's the same old shenanigans, hitting standard plot points beat for beat. McClane is accompanied by an insufferably talkative hacker, banter is exchanged, everybody's laughing until an F-35 intricately positions itself under highways whilst in pursuit of a rigged truck that sees McClane fall onto the plane's wings as it circles out of control and crashes into a big fiery explosion. All in a day's work. Director Wiseman threw the damage reports out of the window and spent the entire budget on exhilarating action set pieces. And my word, it worked.
The first act kicks off almost immediately and does not stop for thirty solid minutes. The proceeding hour slows down indefinitely and over-elaborates on Olyphant's antagonistic motives, whom of which is severely underrated, allowing him to get personal with McClane. Only to then conclude in an outrageous thrilling finale. And if you're worried that Willis has lost his touch, do not fret. The script is layered with witty quips and remarks that made McClane the memorable character that he is today. Even when he is just talking to himself sarcastically, it's enough to put a smile on your face amidst the crazy action.
The premise is incomprehensibly absurd, and the series has clearly come a long way from taking Nakatomi Plaza hostage. But if you suspend your disbelief for two hours and enjoy the ridiculously entertaining action sequences that Wiseman presents, well you'll be shouting "yippee-kiyay" by the end of it. Not the best of the series, but definitely not the worst. Maybe release a software patch to remedy the pacing issues, believability and over-explained plot. Die Hard 4.1?