You're that Guy

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2007)

"Live Free or Die Hard" is perhaps among the greatest action movies ever made. "Live Free or Die Hard" is nonstop action and the most fun you can have at the movies this summer. Director Len Wiseman (of "Underworld" fame) quickly enrolls you, and it matters little how preposterous the action gets. Bruce Willis is awesome in his reprisal of New York Detective John McClane. Willis like his character is older, and plays him as such with a world weariness and power. Justin Long is amazing as the cyber hacker Matt Farrell, whom McClane is tasked to protect. McClane (Willis) is assigned to bring to the FBI hacker Matt Farrell (Long), who may shed light upon a world gone amok. The intangible key to the movie is Willis and Long's working partnership and chemistry. Even with one of the most convoluted story credits: Mark Bomback for screenplay and story; David Marconi for story; John Carlin's article "A Farewell to Arms"; Roderick Thorp for the original characters; the story is engaging and in the realm of possibility-- really.
As the movie opens, Farrell transfers his software code to the deadly and beautiful Mai (Maggie Q). Soon thereafter the Eastern Seaboard becomes engulfed in a catastrophic network meltdownpotentially encompassing the entire nation. Upon observing the chaos, Matt concludes to FBI director Bowman (Cliff Curtis) that this is a "fire sale". Apparently, in the hacker world this mythical "fire sale" refers to network Armageddon. There are three stages of a "fire sale": 1. transportation and communications shutdown; 2. financial system collapse; 3. termination of infrastructure such as power and water. Is this the work of "virtual terrorists" creating a new world order or an elite group seeking unimaginable wealth? Matt is an unintentional pawn; thus, he and McClane must hunt down legendary DoD Consultant Thomas Gabriel (coolly evil Timothy Olyphant), who masterminds this apparent anarchist plot. The pursuit becomes personal when Gabriel holds McClane's daughter Lucy (strong and spirited Mary Elizabeth Winstead) hostage.
Aside from the captivating car crashing into a helicopter or big rig dodging heat seeking missiles from an F-30 fighter jet, it is the human drama and conflict of "Live Free or Die Hard" that is so appealing. Early on in the movie computer nerd Matt confesses to McClane, "I am not heroic." McClane tells Matt that the hero is "that guy" who does what others don't do. So there is a sense of honor when McClane says to Matt later in the story, "You're that guy" Acknowledge Willis for playing McClane as true, grizzled, and strong throughout, and Long for authentically playing a smart ass kid discovering his own power. This is a hero's story.
Under Wiseman's direction the action and fight scenes are spectacular and breathtaking. Maggie Q as Mai just beats the crap out of Willis, in the brutal martial arts display. My bud Robert, pointed out to me that fight sequence was more expertly cut, rather than a demonstration of martial arts prowess. Regardless, Maggie Q is totally hot. She is absolutely beautiful and commands a powerful presence as Mai. And Bruce Willis as McClane is truly a "Timex in a digital world". McClane endures an amazing beating throughout. Yes, Willis also dishes out on the bad guys in kind. Bruce Willis is natural as our wisecracking hero. He is so deft at balancing smart ass and noble hero. Timothy Olyphant strikes the right tone as the icy malevolent Thomas Gabriel. Olyphant brilliantly underplays his part providing a welcome contrast to McClane. Olyphant is strikingly handsome and darkly charismatic. Justin Long as Matt expertly plays off the other actor's styles. He is funny with a light presence. Long also provides a subtle strength of character in Matt. Wiseman orchestrates all the elements together to produce great summer time entertainment. Where other big budget sequels failed "Live Free or Die Hard" prevails with classic heroes and evil villains done with amazing energy and spirit. "Live Free or Die Hard" is just so much fun to watch.