Thu 28 Jun 2007
Mr. Michael Vass is a contributing author, and also writes to Black Entertainment USA and Vass
The latest film in the Die Hard series delivers in its goal to stand out from the summer movie crowd. It’s a blockbuster film in all the classic senses. Action, fast pace, good story, and compelling.
John McClane is played with the same smart-alec attitude that we have all come to love from Mr. Bruce Willis. Yet this time he is the one behind the eight ball. Technology, and those that know how to master it, are the ones pushing the pace with McClane doing his best to keep up and getting things done. Don’t think that Mr. Willis has slowed much at 52. His character is the guy you want in a bar fight, or any other mass problem, on your side. Just don’t let him near your collector miniature figures.
Many will be able to relate to the confusion that the various good and bad guys create rattling off computer and internet jargon that honestly I don’t understand more than 15% of either. You feel for McClane. As for the bad guys, you want them dead just like he does.
When I say there is action, there were several points where the action just makes you wince. Even McClane is impressed and surprised by some of the events that happen. Of course this series has always tried to keep the stunts in the realm of believable, yet there is always one or 2 things that cross that line. This film does the same thing. Even so, you really won’t care.
In an interview on the Bill O’Reilly show, Mr. Willis mentions that this movie is worth seeing 2x, and he is right. This is what the trailers build it up to be. If anyone will be upset, it will be PC watchdogs, who won’t get what this New York detective says. I thought it was funny, some in the theater just gasped, unsure how to react. That may be worth watching the film a third time.
Live Free or Die Hard wins.
