Customer Reviews

Die Hard: Five Star Collection (Widescreen)

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

wow.i forgot how great this movie is.this movie has it all.this is one
thrill ride of a movie.all you need to know is this:terrorists have
taken control of a high rise building and have hostages.the only thing
standing in their way is one man:John McClane(Bruce Willis.)Bruce
Willis puts in a great performance as McClane,who becomes a one man
army.this movie is so much fun,you won't care(or have time to care)
about realism.this movie raised the bar for the action genre.it doesn't
take long to get going either,and you'll wonder where the tow hours
went.if you're an action junkie,and you haven't seen this movie,what
are you waiting for?for me Die Hard is a 5/5

This is the first and best of the Die Hard movies. It is action packed from start to finish. A New York cop (Bruce Willis) goes to visit his estranged wife for Christmas and finds himself caught up in the middle of an apparent terrorist attack on the office building his wife works in. The terrorists however turn out to be nothing more than thieves trying to get their hands on $640 million in negotiable bearer bonds.

The movie is action packed almost from the start, one of the best movies of it's kind I've ever seen.

John McTiernan's "Die Hard" is one of the more celebrated entries in the action-adventure genre. Yet, the film upon close inspection is really just another "shoot-'em-up" production that ultimately wears out its welcome long before the final baddie is gunned down.

John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York police officer who has arrived in Los Angeles for Christmas. His wife (Bonnie Bedelia) has accepted a vice-president position with Nakatomi Corporation. While McClane is attending a Christmas party at his wife's new office building, a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) seize the high-rise so that they may steal millions of dollars in negotiable bonds. McClane takes it upon himself to defeat the terrorists and free the hostages they have taken.

"Die Hard" does introduce some novel aspects to the genre - it's a nice change of pace to see an everyman hero instead of the typical secret agent or military super-soldier at the center of an action film, it's nice to see an action hero with a sensitive side, and it's also nice to see a villain with a degree of sophistication. But "Die Hard" intermixes these elements with so many loud explosions and gunfights that one becomes numb after awhile. Throw in too many supporting characters who are deficient in the intelligence department and one inexcusable resurrection at the end, and all you're left with is a film that is great to look at but nothing more. Willis more than proves he can play an action hero and Bedelia adds a welcome degree of charm to the proceedings. Yet, "Die Hard" turns out to be only a smidgen better than its action contemporaries from the period and that is not enough to make it something special.

In 1988, a film was released that changed the face of action films forever. That film was "Die Hard".

"Die Hard" is, quite simply, as good as an action film can be. Just what makes this movie so different from all the other generic rip-offs out there? "Die Hard" has just the right blend of witty, intelligent writing (yet still not forgetting the profanity), exquisite acting, intense plot twists, and just the right amount of bloody killing. And to top it off, all of this expertly directed at break-neck speed by John McTiernan.

This DVD gives the film a cleaner, newer look, keeping it looking fresh and exciting for the digital era. The sharper picture and sound maybe even add a little something.

After "Die Hard", every action movie was just a wanna-be. They try to mimic what "Die Hard" managed, but never even come close. (This group of films even include the two sequels the film spawned.)

If you're looking for something fun, intense, intelligent, action-packed, and maybe even a little graphic, look no further than the legendary "Die Hard".

Director: John McTiernan
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedalia, Alexander Gudonov, Paul Gleason, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Reginald Vel Johnson.
Running Time: 132 minutes.
Rated R for extreme violence, language, and brief nudity.

Fresh of his success with the popular television series "Moonlighting", Bruce Willis takes his stab at the motion picture business with full force. "Die Hard" works on many levels--mainly as an action flick with a powerful leading star that adds a touch of normalcy and humor--but it also discusses more important views such as the criticism of the culturization of Japanese technology that was taking place at the time as well as the horrific, ongoing threat of terrorism. It s a film that shows just how vulnerable any business or workplace really is to a terrible force but also how one man can stand up to the challenge and ultimately make a difference.

John McClane (Willis) is a New York City cop who travels to the Los Angeles area to reconcile with his seperated wife (Bonnie Bedalia) and family, who left him to pursue a lucrative job with a Japanese financial industry skyscraper. While participating in a Christmas Eve party, the building is overtaken by German terrorists who want to use the hostage Japanese executives to break into the company safe. McClane watches as the head terrorist (played brilliantly by Alan Rickman) blows the brains out of the Japenese CEO realizes that the game is on.

With the help of a gun-shy cop (Reginald Vel Johnson--yes, that's right--Mr. Winslow from "Family Matters") and to the annoyance of police chief Paul Gleason, McClane runs around like a chicken with its head cut off attempting to save the hostages. While on the explosive one-man war, Bruce Willis plays McClane in a very believable, humorous fashion--which is the quintessential reason for the film being one of the best of its kind. "Die Hard" is a non-stop frenzy of excellent action sequences, a superb and witty screenplay written by Jeb Stuart and Steven D. de Souza (adapted from the Roderick Thorp novel), and top-notch, edge-of-your-seat direction from McTiernan. The Five Star Collection DVD features a deleted scene and some excellent commentary from cast and crew. One of the best action films of the 1980's. A superb roller-coaster ride of thrills.

this movie has some great action scenes, but is way to long. It is two hours and ten minutes. They could have easily trimmed it down to less than two hours without sacrificing action.

I had to drag my airforce NCO boyfriend to see this when it came out- the dingus did not believe Bruce Willis could do action....boy was he mistaken! All these years later I still love Die Hard. It is one of those flicks that you CAN NOT turn off when it comes on TV. When I need a pick me up or am feeling peeved and need to see a movie where things blow up I turn to Die Hard. Bruce Willis as the conflicted husband and cop who needs to save his wife from the evil Hans and his henchmen terrorists is classic.
This DVD imprint is great! The quality is good and has stood up to repeated play. The bonus materials are fun and enhance the fans appreciation for the movie. A real must for any action fan's collection.

My favorite classic film that stands next to Die Hard on my shelf are The Great Escape with Steve McQueen and James Garner and the original Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood.

I don't like typical action movies, but I love Die Hard!

Off-duty cop (Bruce Willis) saves hostages and dispatches the sadistic bad guys against overwhelming odds - a simple plot, done many times since this 1988 thriller, but never done as effectively. The difference: This movie was well-written, well-acted, and well-directed. The script balances heart-pounding action with funny one-liners that always make me laugh out loud. Bruce Willis is wonderful as the Rambo-esque superguy who outwits, outplays, and outlasts the heavily-armed killers, and reveals just enough of his tender side to endear his character to the audience.

Willis is backed up by outstanding supporting players who add depth and surprises: Reginald Veljohnson is the sympathetic cop Willis talks to via radio during his ordeal. Veljohnson is superb as the buddy who grounds the movie. Paul Gleason, whose forte is playing self-important fools, injects much humor into his role as Deputy Police Chief. Alan Rickman plays the witty, urbane gang leader with devilish flair. He is assisted by the talented Alexander Godunov as a ruthless killer. De'voreaux White shines in a small but important role as a helpful limo driver. There is even a funny bit with two FBI agents, both named Johnson (no relation).

The production values are top quality, the action never stops, and each stunt is unique and utterly stupendous. I heartily recommend Die Hard to those who love action films and those who just love excellence in film.

Don't make the same mistake that I made. Don't wait very long to watch this film, especially if you love those movies were things go "boom."

Die Hard is just that kind of movie, and it's done in such a way that puts the many action movies being put out following it to shame.

If you're a fan of the modern action flicks, then Die Hard sounds like old hat. A group of international terrorists, with one goal in mind and a bunch of hostages that will be their ticket to that goal. Only one man can stop them.

The joy of this movie is that it seems every person who speaks in this movie is just as important as the main one, John McClane (Bruce Willis). Most characters have their own little quirks, and even the cronie terrorists seem to have a personality, something that you'll likely never see in action movies these days.

McClane is a New York City cop entering the confusing atmosphere of Los Angeles, traveling to see his wife who had traveled out here to capitalize on a big promotion. Accompanied to the large building by Argyle (De'voreaux White in an unappreciated role, no doubt), McClane makes his entrance to the Christmas party. After finding that his wife has returned to her maiden name of Gennero, McClane meets with Mrs. McClane (Bonnie Bedelia), but the reunion is short-lived and rather unsatisfactory. As John kicks himself mentally, the terrorists make their entrance, led by a character later to be revealed as Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). From there, the movie lifts your spirits up, crushes them down, and then repeats. When it's all said and done, you'll have wrapped up quite the satisfying movie experience.

Looking back on this movie 16 years after its initial release, it's easy to pass this off as a stereotypical movie. However, this movie created the stereotype of the daring hero who will never say die, the cunning terrorists who will send wave after wave of big, bulky thugs to take down the protagonist.

When you see this movie, you'll truly appreciate the action genre again. This movie was created in 1988, but it could easily pass for today's standards, and probably would bank some good money if given a re-release to the big screen (iMAX, anyone?).

Perhaps it's not worth a second look after your first viewing, since there isn't really much to pick up on in a second viewing, except truly sitting back and enjoying just how well this movie "clicked."

However, for now all you can hope for is a big spankin' plasma TV, which is just as good to view this action classic.

Rooting for the good guy has never been so much fun.

Okay, let's get something straight. The 80's was a great decade of movies. But his movie just wrapped it up. This is, without a doubt, the greatest action movie of all time. New York cop John McClaine (Bruce Willis) is going to Los Angeles to see his wife, Holly, who wouldn't go with him to New York. There is an executive party, and some terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) decide to crash it, trying to get o the hotel owner's safe. The only person they didn't capture was John. He then plays cat-and-mouse with the terrorists through the hotel. He starts killing them off one by one, pisses off Hans Gruber, and almost blows the whole building by dropping a rather large bomb down the elevator shaft. There are great effects, a great fight scene towards the end with one of the terrorists. There is also in my opinion the greatest line in an action move ever. "Yipee-kye-yay mother f***er. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS, BUY IT OR I'LL HAVE TO STRANGLE YOU!!!!