It's time for another comprehensive franchise discussion from Brandon Peters, this time centering around the February 14th release of A Good Day to Die Hard. As such, the third film on the list is obviously Die Hard: With A Vengeance. Brandon, myself, and the OutNow Podcast crew did a commentary for this picture a few weeks back which just posted yesterday, so if you want a truly exhaustive and time-consuming look at the film, double-dip accordingly. But I will say that the film's esteem has grown very much over the last 18 years, so the point where it's no longer scandalous to admit that you like it as much or more than the original. In that sense, it's the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade of the series. I'll leave the floor to Brandon once again...DIE HARD WITH AVENGEANCE
Wait a minute. Youmean to tell me I'm in this shit 'cause some white cop threw some whiteasshole's brother off a roof?
After a five year hiatus, DieHard roars back…with a vengeance (*sigh* I tried, but I couldn’t resist). And that’s literally the title. John McTiernan resumes directorial duties andreturns the franchise to the fresh original and fun that infused the originalentry. The film was a big success andwent on to become the highest grossing in the series and the highest grossingfilm worldwide in 1995. Instead of following the sort of “Die Hard formula”, McTiernan opens it up instead of keeping itclosed in.
McTiernan’s return is greatly noticeable andappreciated. The film is packed andpaced perfectly with heartpounding chase sequences and action sequences. There is a ticking clock throughout thefilm. And once again there are stakesand consequences, and they both matter a great deal. The action is pulse pounding, brutal and youfeel it like it hurts. John McClane isthe only returning character and nobody from the previous films is shoe-hornedin. The new characters, especially thegood guys, are wonderfully woven in and are colorful and likeable. There’s no lousy, forced backstories or dumbexposition to get us to like them. Welike them because of the way the do their job (competently), how well they doit and because, damnit they’re willing to listen and cooperate with each otherand John McClane to work this whole crisis out! How often do we get to see this in action movies let alone othergenres. Normally there’s at least thatone “Oh no you don’t” power-tripped ego freak. The first Die Hard even hadthat. Not in this movie. If there were ANY characters to bring back toanother film, I wish it’d been some of these folks, but alas, none return. And I’m ok with that.
With A Vengeancegives us a strong villain, Simon Gruber – brother of Hans. This sounds like some corny fan fiction, butthrough Jeremy Irons performance and the nature of the plot, it works betterthan it probably sounded on paper. Similar in greed, Simon Gruber and Jeremy Irons come very close to touchingthat high stature with which Hans Gruber and Alan Rickman stand. He’s a menace without ever truly losing hiscool until the very end. Partnering up with John McLane this time around is Zeus Carver. This was Samuel L Jackson’s first big moviefollowing the success of Pulp Fiction. He’s an innocent civilian identically invitinghimself into the situation. Trust me, itworks. Willis and Jackson havetremendous chemistry and its incredibly fun watching these two solve puzzlesand tackle racism throughout their day in
The film definitely pieces together some very great andmemorable actions sequences. From theopening explosion on we get a car chase through central park, stopping a bombon a subway, McLane shootout in the vault, boarding and escaping a ship, itspretty awesome. McTiernan utilizesfilming on location and lets
Speaking of McLane, as a youngster, I wanted things to beall hunky dory and he’s happy with Holly and the kids. It was quite a lackluster surprise (as beinga youngster I wanted John The Hero not John The Deadbeat), after the last second films, to see where he picks up now. Butas I've grown, I LOVE it. He’s hungover,still probably a little drunk, suspended and separated from Holly. Once again folks, the odds are completelyagainst McLane. And it perfectly adds tothe “randomness” of things happening like the first film without being the “howcan the same shit happen to the same guy three times” type scenario. They forego the enclosed area and expand itto a city. Proving to us that thisseries CAN and IS more than just “Die Hard on a…” The weakest point of the film is definitely the ending. It completely reeks of the “Well, we gottawrap this up somehow”. For me, thisincredible, intense, suspenseful and completely fun movie has earned the rightto just “end”. It’s a bit messy, doesn't make too much sense in a lot of areas if you think about, but, fuck it…thingsgo boom, John says “Yippie-Ki-Yay Motherfucker”, Simon dies, John & Zeushigh five, John calls Holly.” I’m finewith it. The original ending, whileinteresting in its own right, tonally doesn't fit with the film and franklyjust doesn't feel as satisfactory.
Die Hard With AVengeance was and still is one of the best action movies of all time. It’s a genuine crowdpleaser that lets you get involved, has you on the edge of your seat and keeps a smileon your face. It comes really…JUST AHAIR shy of matching the original. Ahair. Slim margin. If you prefer this one over the first one, Ican’t say you’re wrong. This is damnfine entertainment. And it goes by soquickly no matter how many times you've seen it. You could honestly skip the second one and get to this just fine. Alongwith the first one, I say this is a MUST.
Now, this film felt like the perfect capper to atrilogy. I wanted, but really didn't think another would be in the pipeline for this series. But alas…around the time of Armageddon…lifestarted beginning for 4th film. But we’ll get to that in…
Next Up: Live Free Or Die Hard
Timothy Olyphantastic (credit Aaron Neuwirth), jumping off aplane wing, a lazy ass director cameos, hackers drink energy drinks and thegorgeous Mary Elizabeth Winstead
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