Die Hard 4.0 / Live Free or Die Hard


Bruce Willis shows why he is the last great action hero in this probably last iteration of the Die Hard series. Don't expect any computer generated graphics here.

The plot: Detective John McClane is assigned to pick up computer hacker Matthew Farrell (Justin Long, of PC vs Mac ad fame). Just as he arrives someone tries to kill Farrell, and thus ensues a cyber attack on the US by an angry ex-NSA computer expert. Naturally, it's up to McClane and sidekick Farrell to save the day. The film spans significant amounts of territory over its rollercoaster ride, rather than the rather restricted locales of the previous Die Hards, but the action is as intense as ever. The familiar plot aspects, motives and so on are all there. The only thing absent is McClane's usual rivalry with local or federal authorities - for once, all the cops are on the same side.

The summary: Director Len Wiseman delivers an action-packed Die Hard movie that harks back to the original and provides an especially nice break from those 'last' sequels that try to wrap up the story line. The villain is nasty, but a bit confused, and represents the only slightly unsatisfying aspect of the film. Only The Bourne Ultimatum, from what I've read, can challenge it for action kingpin status at the box office this season, perhaps this year.

The Casablanca comparison: Rick and John are very much alike, in my view. They are both 'that kind of guy', as McClane would say - the sort that when put in a position where they need to take responsibility for the good fight, they take it on themselves to follow it through. There was no one else in Casablanca who could help Ilsa and Paul escape, so Rick took it on himself to do that, then complete the task and continue the good fight, as does McClane.

The rating: 9 out of 10. This is a great action film which does tinker with what made its predecessors great. Willis can still carry off the tough action man role with ease and the addition of Justin Long as a sidekick makes the play between the characters worth his inclusion. Highly recommended.

P.S. I have no idea why they keep using the simplistic numbering nomenclature for movies in Australia. Surely we aren't so unsophisticated as to understand that Live Free or Die Hard is Die Hard 4.0? I assume the ".0" was a reference to the Internet angle of the film. We also had Mad Max II, rather than the better-named Road Warrior

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