On the surface, this is a story about a lone New York detective trapped in a building taken over by terrorists. By reuniting with his wife, he would prove the premise of the story, that having the courage to overcome a catastrophe leads to a renewal of the love between him and his wife. So all the action of Die Hard serves as obstacles to John McClain shaping the outcome of the story in a way desirable to him. The fact that the action of the story is presented in fiery, explosive spectacle only serves to make more visible the obstacles he must overcome, and the lengths he will go to overcome them. What's at stake in Die Hard , this issue of whether by overcoming a catastrophe John and Holly can be together, lets its viewers emotionally invest in the story's action.
Humans are curious.
Once we become engaged and invested in a story question, we WANT, demand to know the answer. It's a story that raises an emotional issue that its readers can feel within themselves, and experience in a potent way in the story's dramatic outcome. Thus, the film offered a story-like, i.e., fulfilling experience, in a way that was engaging and dramatic to the emotions and senses of its viewers. The action of the story is how, and if, the children can survive a trek across a back yard and be re-enlarged. But the story itself is concerned with whether the children and their families can overcome this catastrophe in a way that they rebond in a loving way, or break apart permanently.