It’s the holiday season, and there are good reasons why Die Hard should be on the watch list for anyone this Christmas!
Folks have gotten so used to Die Hard as a trope that’s inspired countless knockoffs that it’s easy to forget what a surprise it was when it opened in the summer of 1988. The backstory of its creation is good and the result was a fantastic hit that made Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman stars and still holds up brilliantly over 35 years later.
Do you need to know the plot? Okay fine. On Christmas Eve, New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) flies to Los Angeles to meet his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), who works for the Nakatomi Corporation who are throwing a Christmas party in a tower. A pack of supposed terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take the place over, although they’re really after another objective. On his own, a shoeless McClane has to fight them off, and his only ally is beat cop Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) on the outside.
It’s been talked of and debated and it’s likely folks have seen it so many times they can recite every line of dialogue. Yet there are good reasons why Die Hard remains a must-watch on the Christmas and action movie lists to make it a December tradition!
It’s an action masterpiece
It takes almost 25 minutes for the first bullet to be fired in Die Hard, yet it feels so much more action-packed. The plot is wonderful as it’s overlooked that Hans and his guys aren’t really terrorists. They’re thieves using the terrorist cover to push their ultimate plan. It’s wonderful seeing how that unfolds and amping up the tension.
When the action hits, it’s always amazing thanks to John McTiernan’s direction. There’s no fancy fighting but pure brawling and realism in the blood and mayhem. It’s best when there are the “breaks” between the action pieces so when they happen, it hits a lot more. It’s little wonder this movie has become a textbook on how to do an action film right to add to its reputation.
Bruce Willis has never been better
Before Die Hard, Bruce Willis was considered just a TV actor thanks to Moonlighting. This film proved Willis had the chops for movie stardom and John McClane remains his most iconic role. What wins you over here is that McClane is not Superman in his first time out. He gets hurt, he bleeds badly, he’s beaten up and battered by the end and he’s openly scared of what he has to go through while hiding it with jokes.
Anyone else may have been off in the role, yet Willis makes McClane feel like a real person. His banter with Bedlia is heartfelt and Willis sells the dramatic moments as well as the wisecracks. The sequels may have gone too far with McClane as the hero yet this vulnerability in the initial outing is what made the man one of the most loved action heroes ever and established Willis as a star.
Alan Rickman is the supreme villain
It’s amazing that this was Rickman’s first-ever movie role, and it was a crime he wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. Hans Gruber is one of the greatest action film villains ever, suave and cultured, with some light humor while utterly ruthless, and Rickman’s performance set the bar for every movie baddie since. The way he rolls over a phrase while coldly executing someone is both chilling and captivating to win you over.
The confrontation between him and McClane is excellent, with Hans’ brief act of being a hostage, and their banter is wonderful. There’s also Hans’ smarts and his truly genius plan unfolding, so you’re almost rooting for him to get away with it all. Rickman had one of the best film debuts ever to craft a villain as iconic as the hero.
The Al bonding is wonderful
Action movies usually have a good friendship between the hero and a cop. Die Hard is the only one where the two don’t come face to face until the last scene. Reginald VelJohnson is best known for his role as Carl Winslow on Family Matters but rose to fame as Al, whose bond with McClane is great to watch. The fact the patrolman is the smartest cop on the scene says a lot.
The scene of Al confessing to having shot a kid and the guilt that drives him is the most emotional moment of the film to strengthen the two men’s friendship. That it’s Al who takes out the last terrorist is a great capper to his storyline. The sequels lost a lot without Al around as he brought a good element to the film.
The supporting cast is top-notch
This may be one of the best-supporting casts one could ask for in an action film. Bedelia is a key focus as Holly, who holds her own against Hans, standing up to him and no damsel in distress. She also has a believable chemistry with Willis as a professional wanting to keep this marriage going. Alexander Godunov is sensational as Karl, Hans’ right-hand man who wants payback for McClane killing his brother. That temper pushes him into a memorable fight scene.
There’s also Paul Gleason as the hapless captain; William Atherton as unscrupulous reporter Dick Thornburg who sensationalizes things, not caring who he hurts in the process; Clarence Gilyard as arrogant techie Theo; De’voreaux White as Argyle, the trapped limo driver who has a surprising impact on things; Hart Bochner as Ellis, the smarmy yuppie who makes the mistake of thinking he can outwit Hans; and the various actors playing the gang and FBI agents all come together for an ensemble no other action movie has been able to top.
The music is fantastic
An underrated part of the film’s success is the music. Michael Kamen provides a stellar score, the tension amped up before erupting into the major battle scenes. The sharp music fits the piece with a nice theme and captures a holiday feel. The highlight is “Ode to Joy,” playing when Hans opens the vault, a triumphant moment for the villain that captivates. The rest of the score is as great, especially the build to McClane leaping off the tower and a music background that sucks you nicely into the action.
It’s so quotable
A good action movie has some nice quotes and Die Hard has scores. “Hans, bubby…” “Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, and have a few laughs.” “Welcome to the party, pal!” “Does it sound like I’m ordering a pizza?!” And, of course, “Yippee-ki-yay….” has become part of the lexicon. The movie’s script still pops along with smaller lines that get to you and another reason to make it watchable.
The visual moments are just as famous
Great as the lines are, there are also the famed visual moments and scenes that have become iconic. The corpse with the “now I have a machine gun” message on him. The shots of McClane looking down the windows or laughing at fire trucks headed to the building. The RPG hitting the police tank before McClane blows up a floor. The entire sequence of McClane leaping off the roof with a fire hose, swinging against the glass, and a helicopter crashing is remarkable. And, of course, the look on Hans’ face during the climax. McTiernan delivered an amazing look for the film that’s a great highlight.
The old-school FX shine
In today’s world of CGI-heavy action movies, Die Hard remains a marvel for its old-school effects. Real explosions and fire always outdo computer effects and the mix of miniatures and real sets works as well today as in 1988. We don’t need super-fancy showcases for explosions and it’s quaint seeing occasional green screen work with the action. Compare the epic final fall and how real it looks compared to some terrible work of today, and it’s a reminder of why the old ways are still the best in movie making.
Yes it’s a Christmas movie
There’s still a debate on Die Hard as a Christmas movie with Bruce Willis denying it is. With all respect to Willis, yes, it’s a Christmas movie. It’s not just the setting or music; it’s a story of struggle against the odds, and yet, the family comes through in the end. The Christmas touches are impossible to miss and are often used in the storyline. That it ends up being played so much every December just confirms it. It’s a Christmas movie with action and one of the best ever to be a must-watch for the holiday season more than any time of the year.
Die Hard streaming on Hulu, Disney+, Tubi and Pluto Tv.