Die Hard is an American action film that follows the story of New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he takes on a group of organised criminals lead by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who perform a heist on a LA skyscraper where McClane’s wife works

First off, let’s get this out there that this is the greatest movie of all time. I could leave it there but I feel I should make my point(s). The internet seems to like lists and capital letters, so this is…

THE 5 THINGS THAT MAKE DIE HARD AWESOME:

1. Alan Rickman as a terrorist/criminal

2. Stereotypically blonde Germans

3. Explosions

4. The cop who shot a kid

5. Alan Rickman

Some would say that this is the action movie that spawned all action movies, criticisms have come in that this is just like any other so-called action film with explosions and death. But Die Hard did it first. Sure McClane escapes some pretty sticky situations but this film has a very clever plotline with some excellent twists. The FBI agents that mistaken McClane for a terrorist and of course the gun strapped to his back at the end are just a few well thought up moments in this film.

This was also the film that launched Alan Rickman’s major movie career, in my eyes the character of Hans Gruber outshines Willis’ role. He plays the part excellently and is one of the best movie villains. Not to mention that slo-mo fall to his death.

Like all good 80s movies, Die Hard contains humour as well. McClain’s witty comments, the limo driver; Argyle, they all add to the more ‘realistic’ nature of this picture. If you can possibly use that word regarding some of the things that happen at Nakatomi Plaza. Even the small detail that this film is set at Christmas just gives a different feel to an action movie. Also, this is the greatest Christmas movie of all time.

The only thing that lets this movie down is the horrible amount of sequels it spawned. As a one off, this plot works perfectly, dealing with one group of highly sophisticated criminals is fine, but for this one guy to keep running into these situations is way too convenient. What’s worse is that Willis becomes so old that suddenly his son is getting in on the act, it’s like squeezing the last drop of milk from a cow that’s been dead for 15 years.

Rating: Alan Rickman/10