Notice: This review has no connection to the Movie Review 2019 story. Readers discretion is advised.
Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome to my movie review with Christmas edition.
For celebrating Christmas, i felt like il do another old movies to revewing, but with Christmas theme. Was is gonna be like "Christmas Carol", "A Christmas Story", "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" or... "Black Christmas"? Well not really, because not only we have a movie with Christmas theme, but we're gonna have an action movie with NYPD to the tower.
"Die Hard" is a 1988 action thriller and maybe Christmas theme movie that was directed by John McTiernan, produced by Lawrence Gordon and Joel Silver, then written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza.
Ever since in the 80's to the 90's, we always have plenty of action films with badass actors like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Kurt Russell, Al Pacino and few others out there. Even though they're mixed bag if its an good action film for the execution, or others just come off as an excuse for money at the box-office. but with Die Hard, this one may considered as a fan-favorite in the old action films. Surprisingly, it was loosely based on the novel called "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Roderick Thorp. It was originally to be a sequel from the 1968 film simply called "The Detective" starring the late Frank Sinatra as Joe Leland. But Sinatra refused to be in the sequel and the project was changing into a Standalone film with Bruce Willis as our favorite badass Policeman "John McClane". When the film first came out, it has a mixed reputation, including Roger Ebert gave the movie 2 starts out of four for quote "all by himself he successfully undermines the last half of the movie". Despite this, it was beloved from fans and critics to this day and Die Hard became a series from either good to not as worthy.
So, with all that said, will this movie holds up for its legacy of action in the plaza, or is this film deserved to be shot down like a dead hostage?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
Just to give a notice by saying that im not gonna do a comparison between the book and the film, because i never read nor own the book, but il give a credit for the story of this movie, its a one roller coaster ride where we follow through the floors after floors.
It begins where John McClane arrives on Los Angeles, California to celebrating Christmas Eve with his wife Holly in Nakatomi Corporation (though he had a lift in Limo with his fellow driver Argyle), but the celebration was too soon, when after the mysterious truck arrive where Hans Gruber and his terrorist members and his hacker Theo to crashing the party and hold hostages at innocent bystanders (including Holy), where Hans is demanding to get the money and his power to taking over the tower, its up to John to kill the terrorist in order to not only find the way to call the cops and save the hostages and his wife once and for all in the night.
Though its a pretty standard story to this day, but back then, it is an interesting and intense story where follow through the movie. Its no secret that the story is also being inspired for many other films out there, since its basically where the main hero goes into a single building to take care the terrorist, where they're plenty other films has a same plot, but in different location, like say "Speed", where it nicknamed as "Die Hard in the bus", but i digress. Of course, the movie is also well-written for not just the story, but for fun dialogue and other ways, its as if they like to having some sense of humor with actions. But of course, the pacing is pretty standard where get some action and then wait for a while for the set up and even a conversation between John and Sgt. Al Powell or even mind game between McClane and Gruber. Though the movie also has a plot element where either the cop or the terrorist are calling the FBI for the different plans like electric decision, a rescue with helicopters or even a questionable decision to having an Armored vehicle to breaking in the building before exploding the detonator. However, one thing that i don't like, its the plot element with the new report, especially where Richard Thornburg is soo much in attention for the report about the attack in Nakatomi Corp, but il talk about the characters later on.
Even though its pretty standard for the story, but it is quite fun for the writing and some good plot elements, at the time.
The Presentation
With a film that was made in late 80's, i find also standard and nicely filmed.
For started, its no secret that it was filmed in "Fox Plaza" in LA, but different was the name change, it was filmed inside and outside of the building in the night time, and not to mention, it was also filmed when the place was under-construction before it was completed and opened in 1987, one year before the film's release.
Not to mention, the movie has an impressive setting from both in and out of building with Christmas decorations and damaged properties over the place, to giving the feel of a disastrous incident on building. Plus, they had a near risk to have the building's logo that looks like a Nazi logo, which they had to replacing it with a Samurai warrior's helmet and im pretty they said the painting logo is still in the 30th floor to this day. And the filming in the way it goes looks pretty good in cinematography.
But of course, who could forget the action scenes, it was pretty cool moments with gun shootings (even if the gun flashes get too close in front of screen, so for those of you suffer an epileptic seizure, this won't be watchable for your sensitive health), blood bath (And yes, the movie has blood from gunshot wounds and McClane's forced stepping on shattered glasses) and of course, good'ol explosions.
But sometimes, i was wondering if the actors could be in risk, for example, there's a scene where John McClane is jumping out of a roof with fire hose wrapped around before the explosion, which for the fact that Brice Willis is literally jumping off from the roof in five-story parking garage onto an airbag, because otherwise for the danger, Bruce would've been replace by a stuntman, but thankfully, he's ok from the shooting. Speaking of stuntman, there's a scene where John is hanging on ventilation shaft for his own life and catch into a lower opening, but it ended up in a painful accident when the stuntman fell off and probably got hurt. With a movie taking place in a high tower, it might be pretty scary, especially for anyone with a fear of height (sadly, myself included).
Despite the movie had some dangerous risk, but at least the presentation of this film looks pretty good for 1988.
The Characters
Its safe to say there're a lot of characters that they're fascinated for their development or who they are.
First is our badass protagonist John McClane (played by of course, Bruce Willis), he's easily the most memorable protagonist on this movie, a New York cop with streetwise and cocky persona for his action, especially that he likes to play mind game at the terrorists and conversation with police Sargent, and it is no secret that Bruce is enjoyable for his acting, since back then he used to be in comedy films before became famous actor for action movies.
Next is the main antagonist is Hans Gruber (played by the late Alan Rickman), a West German leader of his terrorist for the money and the power taking over the building. He's charming, manipulative, sometimes brutal and even neutral at the time. Like i said, having a chemistry confrontation between McClane and Gruber is memorable for the mind game and even the final confrontation. Like McClane, he's also memerobable character for not just his goal or personality, but also a great performance from Alan Rickman.
Then we have Holly Gennero/McClane (played by Bonnie Bedelia ), Even though she's just a typical damsel in distress, but i find her to be somewhat interesting, which at first, we thought that she started to losing her interest to John when he arrived in Nakatomi Corp in the conversation and in the end, while he's on the mission to kill the terrorist, it seems that she changed her heart that she wants to be with him again before being hostile by Gruber. But to give a credit, at least Bonnie did an interesting role in the film.
Next, we have Sgt Al Powell (played by Reginald VelJohnson, aka Carl Winslow from "Family Matters"), he's also a likable side character, a policeman who's laidback and probably John's best pal on their radio conversation. I like him too, i mean where else that he's the same guy who played as Carl Winslow, i mean be surprise if Steve Urkel is involvement of throwing dead body out of the building and go "Did i do that...? :3". All kidding aside, i like this guy for not just a chemistry, but a performance from Reginald.
Then we have Karl Vreski (played by the late Alexander Godunov), he's a one brutal and serious member of the group of terrorist, mainly because when his brother Tony being shot down by John, he took his bloody revenge on him. Even though i didn't care about him, but man he's rather taking himself seriously for his task of vengeance.
Next is Harry Ellis (played by Hart Bochner ), he's a sleazy and messed up executive of the corporation, which is pretty obvious that he's rather a party man, again like Holly, he's being hostile from the terrorist, but he was manipulated for his threat at our main hero, right before he deserves to be a body count by Gruber. Even though i find him fascinating and good performance from Hart, but man he's rather a messy man get on his way before being demised.
Speaking of messed up, the last one is Richard Thornburg (played by William Atherton), he's easily the reporter that we love to hate, because he's way too desperate to get anyone's attention for the story, especially for sharing to exposing the secret truth during the terrorist attack. This guy is not just arrogant, but kinda creepy towards anyone in the public in order to know the truth. Even though William did a nice role, but then again, he's just a guy that we love to hate.
The rest of them are not much else to give for me, but to its credit, they'r rather good at the times, there's Theo (played by Clarence Gilyard) who's a hacker of the terrorist, Argyle (played by De'voreaux White) who's a likable limo driver for being a party kid for Christmas, Dwayne T. Robinson (played by the late Paul Gleason) who's a deputy take his decision seriously like a typical serious boss and Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi (played by the late James Shigeta) who's the head executive of his corporation and easily the first body count for not bringing the code.
The characters are enjoyable for the movie, with personalities, delivery and the acting, although the reporter guy deserves to be despised.
Spoiler Alert, for those who haven't seen this movie or if you don't care!
The final act of this movie is rather goosebumping.
After the detonator was activated with a massive explosion from the roof with hostages and John McClane survive the explosion (minus the rescue helicopter), Theo summons the ambulance for the money, not before he gets punished from Argyle to knocking the hacker down. After that, John (along with knocking down one member unconscious), he's confronting at Hans Gruber one last time with Holly being in hostage, resulting two of them in rematch with standoff, then McClane shots down one member down and wounded Gruber off the building and holding Holly for their lives, but McClane saves Holly by snaps out of her wristwatch to leaving Gruber falls all the way down to death. After its all done, John and Holly are finally leaving the damaged building, but not before they got interrupted from Karl (who strangely survived from being hanging) where he's attempt to murdering john, but he's saved by Al Powell by shooting at Karl to finish him off. And in the end, the madness is all done, Richard get punched in the face by Holly (for what he deserved and i love that final punch), John and Holly are given a ride from Argyle, they lived happily ever after for Christmas Eve, roll the credits.
I gotta say, it was a one fun ride at the final act for the final confrontation to killing one last member before leaving in the mourning sunset. Even though john barely survived and limping, but at least he's saved, along with his wife.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, "Die Hard" is a classic action film of the 80's and i enjoyed it during Christmas, the story is fascinating and yet simple, the actions are fun, the presentation looks incredible, the humor is fun with a chuckle for the delivery, the characters are likable and the acting entertaining with our favorite stars. Even though it has some tiny flaws like some dangerous stunt and some characters that i either careless and one who's easily love to be hated from viewers like me. The movie has its legacy for the top list of best action films, best Christmas movie and it has a memorable phrases like "Yippee-ki-yay, mother F***er!". and as i know, it became a franchise to having sequel and i haven't seen them, if they're either good or disappointed, but il easily stick to the original.
So, if you love an action film with Christmas them in it, go watch it, and you'll never forget it for your Holly Jolly Christmas.
For my rating, il give this one a 9/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year of 2020. And as always, im Anthony, signing out.
Just to give a notice by saying that im not gonna do a comparison between the book and the film, because i never read nor own the book, but il give a credit for the story of this movie, its a one roller coaster ride where we follow through the floors after floors.
It begins where John McClane arrives on Los Angeles, California to celebrating Christmas Eve with his wife Holly in Nakatomi Corporation (though he had a lift in Limo with his fellow driver Argyle), but the celebration was too soon, when after the mysterious truck arrive where Hans Gruber and his terrorist members and his hacker Theo to crashing the party and hold hostages at innocent bystanders (including Holy), where Hans is demanding to get the money and his power to taking over the tower, its up to John to kill the terrorist in order to not only find the way to call the cops and save the hostages and his wife once and for all in the night.
Though its a pretty standard story to this day, but back then, it is an interesting and intense story where follow through the movie. Its no secret that the story is also being inspired for many other films out there, since its basically where the main hero goes into a single building to take care the terrorist, where they're plenty other films has a same plot, but in different location, like say "Speed", where it nicknamed as "Die Hard in the bus", but i digress. Of course, the movie is also well-written for not just the story, but for fun dialogue and other ways, its as if they like to having some sense of humor with actions. But of course, the pacing is pretty standard where get some action and then wait for a while for the set up and even a conversation between John and Sgt. Al Powell or even mind game between McClane and Gruber. Though the movie also has a plot element where either the cop or the terrorist are calling the FBI for the different plans like electric decision, a rescue with helicopters or even a questionable decision to having an Armored vehicle to breaking in the building before exploding the detonator. However, one thing that i don't like, its the plot element with the new report, especially where Richard Thornburg is soo much in attention for the report about the attack in Nakatomi Corp, but il talk about the characters later on.
Even though its pretty standard for the story, but it is quite fun for the writing and some good plot elements, at the time.
The Presentation
With a film that was made in late 80's, i find also standard and nicely filmed.
For started, its no secret that it was filmed in "Fox Plaza" in LA, but different was the name change, it was filmed inside and outside of the building in the night time, and not to mention, it was also filmed when the place was under-construction before it was completed and opened in 1987, one year before the film's release.
Not to mention, the movie has an impressive setting from both in and out of building with Christmas decorations and damaged properties over the place, to giving the feel of a disastrous incident on building. Plus, they had a near risk to have the building's logo that looks like a Nazi logo, which they had to replacing it with a Samurai warrior's helmet and im pretty they said the painting logo is still in the 30th floor to this day. And the filming in the way it goes looks pretty good in cinematography.
But of course, who could forget the action scenes, it was pretty cool moments with gun shootings (even if the gun flashes get too close in front of screen, so for those of you suffer an epileptic seizure, this won't be watchable for your sensitive health), blood bath (And yes, the movie has blood from gunshot wounds and McClane's forced stepping on shattered glasses) and of course, good'ol explosions.
But sometimes, i was wondering if the actors could be in risk, for example, there's a scene where John McClane is jumping out of a roof with fire hose wrapped around before the explosion, which for the fact that Brice Willis is literally jumping off from the roof in five-story parking garage onto an airbag, because otherwise for the danger, Bruce would've been replace by a stuntman, but thankfully, he's ok from the shooting. Speaking of stuntman, there's a scene where John is hanging on ventilation shaft for his own life and catch into a lower opening, but it ended up in a painful accident when the stuntman fell off and probably got hurt. With a movie taking place in a high tower, it might be pretty scary, especially for anyone with a fear of height (sadly, myself included).
Despite the movie had some dangerous risk, but at least the presentation of this film looks pretty good for 1988.
The Characters
Its safe to say there're a lot of characters that they're fascinated for their development or who they are.
First is our badass protagonist John McClane (played by of course, Bruce Willis), he's easily the most memorable protagonist on this movie, a New York cop with streetwise and cocky persona for his action, especially that he likes to play mind game at the terrorists and conversation with police Sargent, and it is no secret that Bruce is enjoyable for his acting, since back then he used to be in comedy films before became famous actor for action movies.
Next is the main antagonist is Hans Gruber (played by the late Alan Rickman), a West German leader of his terrorist for the money and the power taking over the building. He's charming, manipulative, sometimes brutal and even neutral at the time. Like i said, having a chemistry confrontation between McClane and Gruber is memorable for the mind game and even the final confrontation. Like McClane, he's also memerobable character for not just his goal or personality, but also a great performance from Alan Rickman.
Then we have Holly Gennero/McClane (played by Bonnie Bedelia ), Even though she's just a typical damsel in distress, but i find her to be somewhat interesting, which at first, we thought that she started to losing her interest to John when he arrived in Nakatomi Corp in the conversation and in the end, while he's on the mission to kill the terrorist, it seems that she changed her heart that she wants to be with him again before being hostile by Gruber. But to give a credit, at least Bonnie did an interesting role in the film.
Next, we have Sgt Al Powell (played by Reginald VelJohnson, aka Carl Winslow from "Family Matters"), he's also a likable side character, a policeman who's laidback and probably John's best pal on their radio conversation. I like him too, i mean where else that he's the same guy who played as Carl Winslow, i mean be surprise if Steve Urkel is involvement of throwing dead body out of the building and go "Did i do that...? :3". All kidding aside, i like this guy for not just a chemistry, but a performance from Reginald.
Then we have Karl Vreski (played by the late Alexander Godunov), he's a one brutal and serious member of the group of terrorist, mainly because when his brother Tony being shot down by John, he took his bloody revenge on him. Even though i didn't care about him, but man he's rather taking himself seriously for his task of vengeance.
Next is Harry Ellis (played by Hart Bochner ), he's a sleazy and messed up executive of the corporation, which is pretty obvious that he's rather a party man, again like Holly, he's being hostile from the terrorist, but he was manipulated for his threat at our main hero, right before he deserves to be a body count by Gruber. Even though i find him fascinating and good performance from Hart, but man he's rather a messy man get on his way before being demised.
Speaking of messed up, the last one is Richard Thornburg (played by William Atherton), he's easily the reporter that we love to hate, because he's way too desperate to get anyone's attention for the story, especially for sharing to exposing the secret truth during the terrorist attack. This guy is not just arrogant, but kinda creepy towards anyone in the public in order to know the truth. Even though William did a nice role, but then again, he's just a guy that we love to hate.
The rest of them are not much else to give for me, but to its credit, they'r rather good at the times, there's Theo (played by Clarence Gilyard) who's a hacker of the terrorist, Argyle (played by De'voreaux White) who's a likable limo driver for being a party kid for Christmas, Dwayne T. Robinson (played by the late Paul Gleason) who's a deputy take his decision seriously like a typical serious boss and Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi (played by the late James Shigeta) who's the head executive of his corporation and easily the first body count for not bringing the code.
The characters are enjoyable for the movie, with personalities, delivery and the acting, although the reporter guy deserves to be despised.
Spoiler Alert, for those who haven't seen this movie or if you don't care!
The final act of this movie is rather goosebumping.
After the detonator was activated with a massive explosion from the roof with hostages and John McClane survive the explosion (minus the rescue helicopter), Theo summons the ambulance for the money, not before he gets punished from Argyle to knocking the hacker down. After that, John (along with knocking down one member unconscious), he's confronting at Hans Gruber one last time with Holly being in hostage, resulting two of them in rematch with standoff, then McClane shots down one member down and wounded Gruber off the building and holding Holly for their lives, but McClane saves Holly by snaps out of her wristwatch to leaving Gruber falls all the way down to death. After its all done, John and Holly are finally leaving the damaged building, but not before they got interrupted from Karl (who strangely survived from being hanging) where he's attempt to murdering john, but he's saved by Al Powell by shooting at Karl to finish him off. And in the end, the madness is all done, Richard get punched in the face by Holly (for what he deserved and i love that final punch), John and Holly are given a ride from Argyle, they lived happily ever after for Christmas Eve, roll the credits.
I gotta say, it was a one fun ride at the final act for the final confrontation to killing one last member before leaving in the mourning sunset. Even though john barely survived and limping, but at least he's saved, along with his wife.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, "Die Hard" is a classic action film of the 80's and i enjoyed it during Christmas, the story is fascinating and yet simple, the actions are fun, the presentation looks incredible, the humor is fun with a chuckle for the delivery, the characters are likable and the acting entertaining with our favorite stars. Even though it has some tiny flaws like some dangerous stunt and some characters that i either careless and one who's easily love to be hated from viewers like me. The movie has its legacy for the top list of best action films, best Christmas movie and it has a memorable phrases like "Yippee-ki-yay, mother F***er!". and as i know, it became a franchise to having sequel and i haven't seen them, if they're either good or disappointed, but il easily stick to the original.
So, if you love an action film with Christmas them in it, go watch it, and you'll never forget it for your Holly Jolly Christmas.
For my rating, il give this one a 9/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year of 2020. And as always, im Anthony, signing out.
