Die Hard (1988)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Sophie B

  
  An amazingly refreshing action film for its time which has obviously spawned many homages. As good a performance Willis could have given with some quality comedy moments.

• Matt G

  
  Hans Gruber: Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there? John McClane: Yeah, I'm still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me. Hans Gruber: Uh, no, I'm afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many… More
  Hans Gruber: Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there? John McClane: Yeah, I'm still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me. Hans Gruber: Uh, no, I'm afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he's John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon? John McClane: Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts. Hans Gruber: Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy? John McClane: Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker. When we look back at the great action stars, we'll inevitably have to put John McClane at the top spot. Die Hard is the most adrenaline fueled action-packed thrill ride of all-time. It's also the quintessential movie I view around the holidays. Sergeant Al Powell: I shot a kid. He was 13 years old. Ohhh, it was dark, I couldn't see him. He had a ray gun, looked real enough. You know, when you're a rookie, they can teach you everything about bein' a cop except how to live with a mistake. Anyway, I just couldn't bring myself to draw my gun on anybody again. Even though I prefer Die Hard: With a Vengeance over this film (and the whole franchise), Alan Rickman is still the series' ultimate villain. Hans Gruber is the definition of a bamf. His character has no limits, and serves as real competition for McClane. John McClane: You'd have made a pretty good cowboy yourself, Hans. Hans Gruber: Oh, yes. What was it you said to me before? "Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker." Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker. The single most memorable line in [R-rated] film history, which is uttered by Bruce Willis in every Die Hard film (minus the pussy-like PG-13 version). Willis gives the film it's McClane, and gives it pretty damn well. This film is the ultimate Christmas film. Yippie-ki-yay, motherfuckers. Hans: Mr. Takagi, I could talk about industrialization and men's fashion all day, but I'm afraid work must intrude, and my associate, Theo, has some questions for you. Sort of fill in the blanks questions, actually.

• Alexander D

  
  Tense action thriller is the reason Bruce Willis is such a well-recognized name. It sets up when New York police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting L.A. with his wife. During a party on the thirtieth floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building, a terrorist group headed… More
  Tense action thriller is the reason Bruce Willis is such a well-recognized name. It sets up when New York police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting L.A. with his wife. During a party on the thirtieth floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building, a terrorist group headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take partygoers hostage. McClane must then take on the villains, even though he may be "no match for [them]". The whole holiday twist of this film threw me off a little. I had expected it, but I did not expect it to be so massive and noticeable. I would not say this is the best holiday film, but a good Christmas, I have now learned, should include a viewing of DIE HARD. That's not at all to say this is a cheerful Christmas film. It starts out cheerful, and then begins to evolve into a heart-pounding, thrilling, bloody actioner. I'd have to say that DIE HARD is now one of my very favorite action films. It has been considered both a classic and a cult classic, something I strongly agree with. Anyone into action films should be dying to see this if they have not yet; thrilling, gripping, violent fun. <b>Full Review: http://wp.me/p1Urcx-vQ</b>

• Dead A

  
  OMA this was truly an awesome 80's movie. I absolutely loved the action scenes. Bruce Willis performance was really outstanding. Can't wait to watch other ones!

• xGary X

  
  When terrorists take the staff of a hi tec skyscraper hostage during a Christmas Eve party, a lone New York cop trapped in the building with them fights for survival while trying to foil their plans. Die Hard was a watershed moment in the evolution of the action movie, and was genre… More
  When terrorists take the staff of a hi tec skyscraper hostage during a Christmas Eve party, a lone New York cop trapped in the building with them fights for survival while trying to foil their plans. Die Hard was a watershed moment in the evolution of the action movie, and was genre defying in that the heroes usually tended to have everything under control in action movies previous to this, while a blood soaked and desperate John McClane always seems one step away from defeat. This makes for some very suspenseful action and Willis' charismatic performance rightly elevated him to mega stardom. It has its faults, namely in the soapy back story of he and his wife and especially the ridiculous nonsense about his would be partner Al and his holstered pistol. These are minor points however as the quips are funny, the action beautifully choreographed and its a thrill ride that has dated surprisingly well. One of THE classic action movies.

• Scott G

  
  A pure grit film that loves using alot of tomato ketchup, a strong start to a continuation of many action films to follow it, which never came close in terms of action or as good a job of acting than this.

• Phil H

  
  The granddaddy of all gun/action movies, coined the term 'Die Hard on a...' this rocks so much, the cast is superb, Rickman especially, and the action is truly pumpin, never letting up the tense sweaty tight pressure for one minute. Like some Arnie flicks the dialog has also… More
  The granddaddy of all gun/action movies, coined the term 'Die Hard on a...' this rocks so much, the cast is superb, Rickman especially, and the action is truly pumpin, never letting up the tense sweaty tight pressure for one minute. Like some Arnie flicks the dialog has also gone down in history, hell this film is virtually a part of history as much as 'Star Wars', you really cant fault it on any level, Mctiernan also made 'Predator', the man is or was god.

• Thomas B

  
  THE action movie. Full review later.

• Manu G

  
  Twelve terrorists. One cop. The odds are against John McClane... That's just the way he likes it. Great Action Movie! Classic cult film from the 80's which I consider one of the best films of Bruce Willis career and that's saying alot because of Willis extensive career… More
  Twelve terrorists. One cop. The odds are against John McClane... That's just the way he likes it. Great Action Movie! Classic cult film from the 80's which I consider one of the best films of Bruce Willis career and that's saying alot because of Willis extensive career in hollywood. Bruce Willis gives a amazing performance in perhaps one of the best movies of the 1980s. This is an action/adventure movie for the ages. There are a lot of great scenes, including the scene where Bruce Willis leaps off the rooftop and crashes trough the window. I never thought it would be so good when I first saw it, but I was wrong. John McClane is a cop from New York City who is on his way to Los Angeles to see his kids and his wife Holly, who moved to LA because of a job at the Nakatomi Corporation. When he arrives at Nakatomi Plaza, he meets Holly's boss Joe Takagi and her co-worker Harry Ellis. He and Holly go into a private bathroom and get into an argument. When Holly leaves to give a speech, thirteen armed terrorists lead by Hans Gruber seize control of the building and take the occupants of the 30th floor, who are the only ones left in the building, hostage. Luckily, they missed John and he has to figure out how to save the hostages before the terrorists get their way.

• Sam B

  
  It drags on a little too long, but this action classic is still an amazing movie, displaying a tense, explosive game of cat vs. mouse (or Bruce Willis vs. Terrorists) through the bowels of an office building which, I assure you, will get blown the hell up. Oh, and Snape is the bad… More
  It drags on a little too long, but this action classic is still an amazing movie, displaying a tense, explosive game of cat vs. mouse (or Bruce Willis vs. Terrorists) through the bowels of an office building which, I assure you, will get blown the hell up. Oh, and Snape is the bad guy. And he was just as awesome in 1988.

• Liam G

  
  Quite possibly the greatest action film of all-time. Exciting action scenes, tense throughout, humourous at times in a good way, fantastic performances and awesome characters. What more can you ask for?

• Drake T

  
  Fun action flick, really. The best part is Willis's character who embodies the "average joe" and constantly reminds us that he's just not the right guy in the situation he's been thrown in. The only hiccup I had was the lack of set pieces. Not only was it… More
  Fun action flick, really. The best part is Willis's character who embodies the "average joe" and constantly reminds us that he's just not the right guy in the situation he's been thrown in. The only hiccup I had was the lack of set pieces. Not only was it kind of boring but for a film where everything took place in a single building there SHOULD have been more suspense around every turn. Instead, each encounter was presented quite neatly. It rocks the "reluctant hero" cliche so well... and the villains? So stereotypically foreign. Haha! A working late 80's action flick.

• Kase V

  
  Explosive action movie, probably one of the best in the genre. Classic scene of falling off Rickman falling never gets old. Willis reinvented the action hero with John McClane in Die Hard. Yippe Kai Yay

• Jacob E

  
  Color me impressed. When I started watching this, I assumed it would be a dated 80s action film. Holy crap, I was REALLY wrong on that one. This movie has hardly aged a day, it could pass off as a movie made today set in the 80s, not filmed during it. The action scenes are insane and… More
  Color me impressed. When I started watching this, I assumed it would be a dated 80s action film. Holy crap, I was REALLY wrong on that one. This movie has hardly aged a day, it could pass off as a movie made today set in the 80s, not filmed during it. The action scenes are insane and Alan Rickman and his crew of terrorists are a joy to watch. If you even consider yourself a slight fan of action films, YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS. SERIOUSLY.

• AJ V

  
  My favourite action movie of the 80s! And my favourite Bruce Willis movie ever! Not only is it exciting and suspenseful, it's funny and entertaining as well. The cast is perfect, the action is breath taking, and it's just fantastic overall. I highly recommend this movie.

• Brad W

  
  Tremendous action a great story make this a great film

• Jason R

  
  Don't know why it's taken me so long to see this movie, but amen to it's status as a classic. Sure, it's a big, dumb action movie, but there's subtle cleverness wrapped up in some of the one-liners. And what I think really carries the film is Bruce Willis… More
  Don't know why it's taken me so long to see this movie, but amen to it's status as a classic. Sure, it's a big, dumb action movie, but there's subtle cleverness wrapped up in some of the one-liners. And what I think really carries the film is Bruce Willis being a reluctant "I didn't ask for this and I don't know what to do" hero. Oh, and also because Snape makes a great German terrorist.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Alexander Godunov, Reginald Veljohnson, Paul Gleason, De'voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Bruno Doyon, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr, Joey Plewa, Lorenzo Caccialanza Director: John… More
  Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Alexander Godunov, Reginald Veljohnson, Paul Gleason, De'voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Bruno Doyon, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr, Joey Plewa, Lorenzo Caccialanza Director: John McTiernan Summary: NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) plan to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), is thrown for a serious loop when minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of pitiless terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking MClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down. My Thoughts: "Over the years I have seen bits and pieces of this movie, finally I can say I've seen it, all of it. I enjoyed the movie. Good cat and mouse movie. This is the film that started it all for Bruce Willis. He was great and will always be a great action star. The film is full of action, fights, and plenty of killings. Just a great little holiday film, lol."

• Jeff "

  
  Die Hard is one of the greatest action films of the 1980's. The film is a tense action picture that will entertain you right up it's awesome climax. Bruce Willis stars and gives a terrific performance.as John McClane, a New York cop outwitting a group of terrorists. Die Hard… More
  Die Hard is one of the greatest action films of the 1980's. The film is a tense action picture that will entertain you right up it's awesome climax. Bruce Willis stars and gives a terrific performance.as John McClane, a New York cop outwitting a group of terrorists. Die Hard is the Epitome of an action film. A film that thrills from start to finish, Die Hard is an adrenaline soaked ride. This is one of my favorite action films as it delivers everything you'd expect from a terrific action film and more. If you're an action junkie, then this film is definitely for you. Die Hard is not only a superb action film, it's a superior Thriller. John McTiernan, director of Predator directs this roller coaster ride of a film. Bruce Willis may be the star of Die Hard, but Alan Rickman steals the spotlight from Willis in his performance of terrorist leader Hans Gruber. Die Hard is a finely crafted action thriller. This is probably, like I've said once, the best action film ever made. One of the reasons that this is such an epic action film, is because of the superior cast of actors that this film has. The story is quite simple, but the way McTiernan directs his film is superb. The tone he sets for the overall film is excellent and the film steadily builds up to an electrifying climax. One of the reasons that Die Hard works so well, is the way the action and suspense combine to elevate the simple story. Another thing to point out about the film, the characters are colorful. Especially the terrorists. They simply act like men with guns, they're menacing, and willing to kill, all of the actors portraying the terrorist have an awesome demeanor on screen. I could go on and on praising the film, but really the best thing you can do is, seeing Die Hard for yourself. This simply put a solid roller coaster ride of a film that every action fan should check out this is definitely THE best action film of the 1980's. What separates Die Hard from most action films is that it's a film with great actors, and thats it's actually not an elaborate film. But this is also a prime example of what you can do with a simple story line. Die Hard is a terrific ride, and is guaranteed to entertain you.

• Daniel P

  
  UPDATED REVIEW: Die Hard is awesome! The first time I saw it, it was on TV, with commercials and maybe cut down a bit. Holy crap - watching it on DVD straight through showed me just how well it keeps the tension going from start to finish. This film is over two hours long, and yet it… More
  UPDATED REVIEW: Die Hard is awesome! The first time I saw it, it was on TV, with commercials and maybe cut down a bit. Holy crap - watching it on DVD straight through showed me just how well it keeps the tension going from start to finish. This film is over two hours long, and yet it sails right by. Great entertainment, I've bumped the review up by one full star. For comparison's sake, I've left the original opinion below (3 stars) - amazing what having to sit through commercial breaks can do to a film's enjoyment. ------- ORIGINAL REVIEW: Said to have invented the action genre, this film really doesn't age well 20 years on. Lots of terrible one-liners and culturally inconsistent baddies that build up to one big explosion and a bloody "save-the-day, kiss-the-girl" ending. Maybe it's great for being the first, or maybe I just don't like action movies that much anymore; in either case, I have a hard time even declaring it good. It may be that I've been spoiled by the "evolution" of the genre, having seen action movies get "better", but in any case, this movie kept my attention and made me laugh out loud once in a while - for the wrong reasons... it was neat to see how Alan Rickman came to be thought of as intrinsically evil, though, and props for the Roy Rogers/cowboy references... decent flick, but nowhere near worthy of the two-decades of hype that I'd heard.

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