Loud, big, silly and LOTS of fun!

Rating: 8/10 (24 December 2007)

This review is based on the unrated version--I've never seen the PG-13 one.
The FBI Cyber Security Division and other government computers are breached by a madman (Timothy Olyphant) who plans to rule the world (or something like that). John McClane (Bruce Willis) ends up stuck with a young computer hacker (Justin Long) to try and battle him.
OK--I LOVED the first two "Die Hard" films. They were loud, stupid and loads of fun (if a bit sadistic). The third one ("Die Hard With a Vengeance") wasn't too good. This one was (obviously) shot for an R rating (the first three were all R). The studio cut it down to a PG-13. I HATE when they do that and refuse to see it. So that's why I waited till this came on DVD to view it.
This is a fast-moving, easy to understand action movie. It's full of swearing and it's VERY violent--sometimes a bit too much. Willis' battle with Mai (Maggie Q) is pretty extreme. Still, you have to expect that from a "Die Hard" film. The action sequences are truly incredible (even on a TV screen) and there's plenty of casual violence and blood and gore. The script is dumbed down so anyone can understand it--but who watches this movie for the plot? I had a fun time but towards the end the action goes WAY over the top and gets totally unbelievable. STILL I enjoyed it.
The acting is just about what you expect. Willis is good in his role (as always) and Long is good also despite having to be the "comic" relief at times. Olyphant is OK (I guess) as the villain...but I could never take him seriously. Basically everybody just hits their marks and say their lines with total conviction--that's all this calls for. Kevin Smith is very funny in his bit as Warlock.
So--loud and stupid but fun. See the unrated version.