Die Hard 2 DVDOnce again John McClane deals with terrorists at Christmas time; once again McClane is forced to crawl through ventilation shafts muttering to himself; once again McClane climbs up and out of elevators; once again no one's going to take the threat seriously but McClane. And once again, McClane gets to drop everyone's favorite line: "Yippi ki-yay, motherf----r."
To make things worse, the film itself, adapted from the novel "58 Minutes" by Walter Wager, is unrealistic nearly to the point of ridiculousness. McClane dodges bullets and chases villains on snowmobiles like Roger Moore's James Bond. What made McClane so appealing in the original film was the fact that he was an everyman, not the unbeatable hero he would seem in "Die Hard 2," were he not saved by a down-to-earth performance from Willis. There are points at which scoffing is inevitable. That's not helped by William Sadler's villain, who pales in comparison with Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber. There's plenty of:
-cussing
-shooting
-Explosions, and
-action
In other words a typical Die Hard movie
"Die Hard 2" isn't bad, though. Viewed as a standalone film, it's actually quite good, and considering the stature of its predecessor, it's a decent sequel, too. It recalls "Die Hard" enough to get by, but what really keeps the film afloat is Harlin's cold, sharp style, which adds just the visual flair the film needs to entertain. On the topic of visuals, there are two truly stellar shots in this film. The first is a frightening plane crash, the one time John McClane doesn't succeed (though of course what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger). The second is a shot of McClane, strapped to an ejector seat, shooting up into the sky toward the camera as a jet blows up below him, cursing and then falling to the ground.
Though it's not the action spectacle that was McTiernan's classic, "Die Hard 2" is a decent film, guaranteed to liven up a dull night. It has enough of the original to satisfy, enough brainless action to entertain, and the kind of clever directing that makes that brainless action seem worth something.
Recommended for fans of Bruce Willis and Die Hard fans
Gunner January, 2008
Once again police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) gets into some heavy-duty action on Christmas Eve. This time it's at Dulles Airport, in Washington, where terrorists have taken control and seek the release of a foreign general. McClane is suddenly in the middle of the action, seeking to foil the plot and also save his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), who is a passenger on a circling plane, in danger of running out of fuel.
Die Hard 2, is a very different film from Die Hard. Some of the elements most critical to the success of the first film, are not present. The first time around, action was confined to a limited area, a few floors in the Nakatomi Plaza. The danger to McClane's wife was more immediate and real, reinforced by the menacing presence of supercrook Hans Gruber, played with style by Alan Rickman. There was real antagonism between McClane and Gruber, which propelled the movie. In Die Hard 2, the action is spread over a much wider stage, with many more players. McClane, though still a one-man army, never establishes a relationship with one principal "baddie". Colonel Stuart (William Sadler), the wild-eyed leader of the mercenaries is rather robotic, and lacks any special charisma. McClane and wife Holly, are pretty much out of touch throughout the critical phases of the movie. And if not for the "coincidental" presence of news reporter Dick Thornburg (William Atherton) from the first film, Holly would have almost nothing to do. A logical plot, is secondary to the action. If not, then the "same thing" wouldn't happen to the "same guy".
Die Hard 2 Die Harder, is a good action film, that takes a different approach from its predecessor. There is no shortage of action, but the "intimacy" that characterized the first film is absent. Bigger? Yes. Better? Perhaps not.
The Special Edition DVD features director Renny Harlin's detailed and revealing commentary. As usual, he is very informative, insightful, and frank, in discussing the production of the film. Harlin's commentaries are among the best, for their honesty. You also get a second disc with a couple of documentaries, deleted scenes, interview with Harlin, and other special features.
Buy Die Hard 2: Die Harder (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (2013) Now
Die Hard began a subgenre in action films (as well as Bruce Willis' career as an action star)--that of the lone hero, a sort of cowboy for the modern era. Films like Under Siege ("Die Hard on a boat") and Passenger 57 ("Die Hard on a plane") are example of substandard entries that soon followed. What they missed is that Die Hard is a good film on its own.John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York cop transplanted to Los Angeles when his wife gets a job with the Nakatomi Corporation. When terrorists take over the building during a Christmas party, it's up to John to save the day. Alan Rickman gives an excellent performance as lead terrorist Hans Gruber but it's Willis that carries the film with his wisecracks, catchphrases, and charisma.
Inevitably, there would be a sequel and we should consider ourselves lucky that it was Die Hard 2. Subtitled "Die Harder," it was actually based on an unrelated novel (58 Minutes by Walter Wager) that was then geared to fit the McClane character.
Again, it's Christmas, and again Mrs. McClane is in danger. Her plane is flying over Washington, D.C., and is quickly running out of fuel. But more terrorists are attempting to fly in a drug lord and will have no planes landing until he arrives safely.
Die Hard 2, although a lesser film than its predecessor, more than makes up for it in the fun factor. Self-referential remarks ("How can [this] happen to the same guy twice?") and a total lack of any coherent logic along with terrific effects (and a stunning high perspective shot) come together to make one of the best action sequels.
A double feature is probably not in order, but either of these films make for fine escapist viewing. "Yippy-ki-yay, [melonfarmer]!"
Read Best Reviews of Die Hard 2: Die Harder (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (2013) Here
It's a snowy Christmas night in the nation's capitol, one year after the terrorist attack of Nakitomi Plaza in L.A. New York detective John McClane (Bruce Willis), the terrorist attack's underdog police hero, is there at an airport to wait for his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) to arrive from her flight. But when military terrorists, led by the unmerciful Colonel Stuart (William Sadler), seize the terminal and start to take over, McClane faces the nightmare of his past in this new emergency as he slips into top gear in a daring attempt to save the terminal and his air-born wife trapped in a doomed airplane. Provides the same suspenseful action-packed adventure from the original, and a worthy sequel to that awesome thriller. Also stars Reginald VelJohnson (original "Die Hard", "Family Matters" T.V. series) as McClane's old friend from L.A. This specific film, unlike the original and the third episode directed by John McTiernan, was directed by Renny Harlin, who also directed "The Long Kiss Goodnight" (starred his now ex-wife Geena Davis), "Captiva Island" (starred his now ex-wive Geena Davis), "Cliffhanger" (starred super-action star Sylvester Stallone), and the genetically engineered shark horror tale "Deep Blue Sea", just recently released in 1999.Want Die Hard 2: Die Harder (Blu-ray / DVD Combo) (2013) Discount?
I am only going to review the Blu Ray Disc. The picutre quality has a lot to be desired. I know part of the blame is on Renny Harlin heavy colour filters he used, like the orange or reds are to imposing at times .I couldnt help but notice the low quality tranfer which obviosuly came from a poor print. Much better than Die Hard Blu ray but this is not worth buying now. Audio is good and quite loud for all the right reasons.Please 20th Century Fox do not let your customers down with inferior quality products.
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