"Yippie-kay-yay, mother****er"
It's been 20 years since I walked out of the theater after watching this movie and telling myself "I hope this movie sparks 3 or 4 sequels... what an awesome experience". Well... it did just that and more.
Not only did this movie spark three sequels, but it layed the foundation for the branching of other movies with a similar premise. Successful movies that are easily mistaken and dubbed as "Die Hard on a _____ (blank)". Movies such as Speed (Die Hard on a bus), Under Siege and Speed 2 (Die Hard on a boat), Under Siege 2 (Die Hard on a train), and Passenger 57 or even Air Force One (Die Hard on a plane). Many of these movies were successful in their own right... but it is obvious that they borrowed from this spectacular movie called... "DIE HARD".
The story begins with New York City cop, John McClane (played masterfully by Bruce Willis), arriving in Los Angeles to meet up with his family. After touching down from his flight, John has to meet up with his wife at her work place in the Nakatomi Building as they are having a Christmas party. Shortly after his arrival and meeting up with his wife, a group of terrorists storm into the building and corral everyone into one floor. John, however, manages to escape detection and becomes free to roam the building... and find a way to stop the terrorists, one by one.
At first glance, this synopsis immediately yells out "straight to DVD release" or in the case of 1988... straight to video. But what makes this movie spectacular is the acting and the directing. Bruce Willis makes you care about his character John McClane and what's happening to him. You really feel for the guy. It's like you're right there with him for the ride. Just like McClane, you can't help but think what should he do next? How can he stop the terrorists? And his one liners were so cool, people were actually reiterating them as they left the theater. Lines such as "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs" and "Yippie-kay-yay, mother****er". Great lines! haha
The supporting actors do a tremendous job themselves. Bonnie Bedelia plays Holly Genero McClane, John's wife. Although there really isn't much for her to do in this movie except be the damsel in distress... she somehow manages to show the audience how strong of a person she really is. We also can see why John goes through the hell he does to save his wife. This is the first movie I had ever seen Alan Rickman and what an impression he made on me. He played the lead terrorist Hans Gruber... and boy... he really felt like a man with no mercy and no heart... though he DID show it a couple of times. The rest of the amazing cast such as Paul Gleason (famous for his part as Principal Richard Vernon in the Breakfast Club), Reginal VelJohnson (famous for his role as Carl Winslow in the tv series Family Matters), William Atherton, and Alexander Gudunov were all excellent... and all had a hand in upgrading this story to its fullest potential.
John McTiernan already had the movie Predator under his belt before filming this one... but there is no doubt it was Die Hard that solidified his talent. This movie allowed him to make other gems such as The Hunt For Red October, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Basic. There were also a few duds like Last Action Hero, 13th Warrior, and Rollerball... though I liked all three even though they bombed in the box office. With Die Hard, McTiernan gave us a glimpse of what he could do if studios gave him the right toys to play with.
The visuals were amazing. There was gun play in rooftops, stairwells, vents,... everywhere. Explosions galore... how they didn't manage to blow up the entire building with all the explosions, I have no idea. Tanks and helicoptors exploding, police cars getting smashed by falling bodies,... I know, I know what you're thinking. You're wondering how all this happens if the movie is supposed to be taking place inside the building. Trust me, it happens.... and you'll love it.
There's no doubt there have been many other movies that have tried to rip off Die Hard... I even mentioned some successful ones.... but it is NOT an easy act to follow. I still remember a movie called Skyscraper with Anna Nicole Smith. What a sucky movie that was. They tried to steal the same premise but it was done so cheesy that it makes you realize how wonderful and brilliant this movie is.
I'm sure your thinking I'm just being biased as many of you know I'm a Bruce Willis fan. Yes, I do think he's a great action star, but it was this movie that got his theatrical career going. No one can argue that. While Bruce Willis brought the character John McClane to life, it was John McClane that created Bruce Willis' career.
If you have never seen this movie... and I'm sure many of you have... but, if you haven't... rent this baby out the next time you want to stay home and catch a flick. You won't be disappointed. So... "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs" haha Enjoy the movie "Yippie-kay-yay, mother****er"
Movie News
1 Comments
