When the 1988 classic action film Die Hard burst onto the screen it cemented Bruce Willis as an action star, but not sure many thought it would turn into the franchise it has become. Now Bruce Willis has returned to everyone’s favorite trouble attracting New York cop John McClane in the fifth entry in the series A Good Day To Die Hard. The last entry caught a lot of flak because of the PG-13 rating, but with this last one it returns to the R-rated direction it is at home with, but will it work taking McClane international or will this be the nail in the coffin to this popular series?
A Good Day To Die Hard follows cop John McClane who travels to Moscow to help his estranged son Jack, unaware that he is actually a highly-trained CIA operative trying to stop a nuclear weapons heist. Each entry into the series has been fun in its own way and this latest film is no different. Once again John McClane proves that he not only attracts more trouble than anybody out there, but also that he still has the staying power as easily one of the best cop characters in film. This film takes a new approach to the series going international and it takes a bit too really start feeling like a Die Hard film. There are some slow pacing issues at first, but quickly finds its footing to end up delivering a great action film. The story is pretty generic and doesn’t really deliver anything all that special with the exception of the father son dynamic. Here you are getting to see a little different side to McClane dealing with his life as a cop and the relationship with is son. Willis steps right back into this role like he never left and seems to be having a great time. Jai Courtney does a great job as Jack and runs right alongside Willis to create some great chemistry between them. Much like any Die Hard fan, the real star is the action and this film does not disappoint. Once it kicks into gear it barely lets up with just enough time to explain the story before the guns begin to blaze again.
Love these later additions to the series or not, they have taken McClane in a more superhero level direction and if you can let it go and just enjoy it for what it is you will have a great time. While this isn’t quite the original film, it does step up to deliver a great addition to the series and hopes to keep it alive. One of the action pieces worth the whole movie is an early car chase scene that may not be the best chase you’ve seen, but it surely is the most destructive and over the top. Willis already mentioned being up for another round as McClane and with Courtney showing his ability to tangle with the big boys is one film that would be welcome.
Comments