Gunfights, explosions, and pure energy by our action hero John McClane

Rating: 9/10 (26 April 2016)

There is more than likely no other action film franchise that tops the Die Hars franchise. This high-octane made a massive impression on movie goers everywhere when it debuted in 1988 with Bruce Willis spawning the role of John McClane, a hero full of attitude and charisma, and easily recognized as one of the most iconic action heroes in cinema history. Whether he's taking on terrorists at the Nakatomi Plaza building in Los Angeles, at Washington Dulles Airport, and playing a deadly game of Simon Says with one in New York City; McClane never fails to entertain us. This fourth installment sees Bruce Willis reprising his role as McClane once again with Len Wiseman, the man behind the 'Underworld' franchise taking over the director's chair. John McClane, still working for N.Y.P.D., is divorced from his wife Holly and is left estranged by his daughter Lucy (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead). When the FBI faces a cyber attack from the hands of an international cyber terrorist Thomas Gabriel (played by Timothy Olyphant) and Lucy is captured and taken hostage by his goons, McClane is called in by the FBI to stop Gabriel and bring him to justice before the he leads the nation into chaos. In the process, McClane finds help from no one other Matt Farell (played by Justin Long), a reluctant young computer hacker who assists him on his off-the-rails mission.
After twelve years since the third installment, this fourth entry takes almost everything from the previous entries and cranks them up a notch. Here, the stakes are higher, explosions are more frequent, and the action sequences are much more intense than you may anticipate. The action scenes featuring highway car chases, helicopter crashes, and copious gunfire serve as the most glamorizing beauty of the film, as do the action sequences of the previous installments. What's new here though, is that the action is taken at an absurd level that borders on implausible such as scenes of McClane jolting off an airplane or drifting an 18-wheeler on a highway, but it ultimately doesn't steer it away from the entertainment value, it's still pretty fun. The plot works pretty well too, with the film taking the story and expanding it on a more grand scale where not only a larger population of innocent lives are at threat and of course the White House, but the nation itself. In addition, the pacing is no issue. Bruce Willis remains as likable and charismatic in the role of John McClane as ever. Justin Long does an alright job, but perhaps not as appealing as opposite Bruce Willis. The chemistry between the duo fits well at times, but occasionally feels flat. Timothy Olyphant gives a solid performance as the cyber terrorist Thomas Gabriel. However, he certainly much less memorable than the previous villains spawned in the franchise. The antagonist feels a little underdeveloped and stands easily forgettable by the end. Viewers should not another Hans Gruber-like villain but one that is worth entertainment value while he lasts.
Live Free or Die Hard is an exciting, fresh popcorn flick that is destined to please action fans everywhere, and a worthy installment to the Die Hars franchise. This film can easily be stamped as one of the most thrilling action films of the decade, and marks a strong point in Bruce Willis's career. Is it the best Die Hard of the series? Not exactly. But for what it's worth, it's fun.