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One of the most influential
action films of all time, John McTiernan’s Die Hard also rocketed
Bruce Willis to action hero stardom and caused numerous sequels,
rip-offs, parodies, and more, though none have ever come close to
equaling the triumphant appeal of this original renegade-cop-against-an-army-of-terrorists
action blockbuster.
It’s Christmas Eve and New York police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) heads to L.A.’s Nakatomi Plaza to meet his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) and hopefully patch up their relationship. But things take an unexpected turn for the worse when the building is taken over by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his band of terrorists who plan on robbing the $600 million held within its vault. What they didn’t plan on was rogue cop John McClane eluding capture and waging a one-man war against them in an attempt to rescue his wife and save the day. Whether it’s truly the first or not, Die Hard did it the best and is therefore known for punching several staples into the action genre. The one-man army motif where the protagonist is faced with insurmountable odds and virtually no help (McClane’s sidekicks are on the outside and can provide very limited physical assistance) was perfected with a steady relinquishing of antagonistic control over several seemingly inescapable situations. Adding further to the intricate set-ups are the mysterious motives of the villains, and deception plays a vital role in the Nakatomi Plaza takeover (a theme carried even further in the third installment). Just as Gruber never knows what McClane will do next, so too does the antagonist’s intentions remain a mystery until the hardened detective can piece the clues together. A refreshing dose of cynical humor inserts itself between gunshots and snappy one-liners and sarcastic quips bookend the violence. With such clever juxtaposition of sarcastic wit and explosive bloodletting, oftentimes an adrenaline rush of action leads directly into a hearty laugh. And of course the inclusion of practically unrelenting action sequences sets Die Hard apart from lesser attempts at epic adventure. Buildings explode, helicopters crash, police cars become Swiss cheese, and one man single-handedly defeats a group of heavily-armed terrorists – all in a manner unbelievably believable thanks to careful character development, solid acting, and fantastic special effects. |
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While many may remember
Die Hard for its intense, violent action, the truly unique foundation
that elevates it above any other in its genre is the development
and eccentricities of its characters. The protagonist, John McClane,
is an anti-hero of sorts as he defies orders and in true vigilante
fashion disposes of the terrorists in a manner befitting the title.
However, through his talks with Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson),
we’re introduced to a man with a very relatable life. He has
two kids he rarely gets to see, marital problems that his quick
temper doesn’t help, and the authorities neither want nor
respect his efforts. McClane is also smart, inventive, and quick
on his feet (even when the floors are covered with glass). He discovers
the villains’ true intentions and provides the police outside
all the necessary information to help defuse the situation, though
they are less than willing to take the New York cop’s advice.
To further accentuate the one-man hero, almost every other domineering
force is against him. Gruber and his men on the inside try everything
in their power to silence him and even the FBI agents on the outside
hinder his progress, and at times are portrayed as more vile than
the terrorists.
Of course action heroes don’t exist without villains, and one of the finest antagonistic performances to ever grace the screen emerges with Alan Rickman’s ingenious portrayal of the deviously cunning Hans Gruber. He’s suave, sophisticated, makes jokes, quotes literature, and can even sport an American accent when it suits him. He does kill ruthlessly, but with a cleverly cynical air about him (“I’m going to count to 3. There will not be a 4.”) As much as McClane toys with the terrorists, Gruber jibes back and a vicious contest of wits takes place over the radios. In a mass of mindless movie villains that serve only as obstacles to be defeated, such a scathingly intelligent nemesis as Gruber easily stands out as a far more interesting force to be reckoned with. Using foreshadowing and carefully placed plot devices, director McTiernan has crafted a spectacularly thrilling film that has enough brains to match its brawn. And of course an ample helping of explosions, gunplay, and quotable catchphrases (Yipee ki yay…) easily allows Die Hard to reach the upper echelons of hard-hitting adventure and act as a bible of sorts for all subsequent action films to come. - Joel Massie
Die Hard
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