Die Hard 4

Reaper · Die Hard 4

Yes I know it's officially called Live Free or Die Hard but that sounds a bit naff so it's Die Hard 4.

Anyway, here is a film I expected to fail, a film I expected to walk out being annoyed at how they cocked up an easy film and the sequel to one of my favourites.....

However... there are sometimes when I'm really glad my expectations are met and this is definitely one of them. It's good, very good, surprisingly good even especially if you consider the directors previous projects (Underworld 1 + 2).

There has been a real shortage in the last 10+ years of decent action films, you get the occasional release that seems its heading that way or has some good action scenes (Smokin' Aces) but none of them have the FEEL right.
Thats a bit of a weird concept but few action films now have the right feel that classics like Predator, Die Hard, Terminator or Demolition Man have.

One of the key problems with a lot of modern action sequences is that they're too overly stylised and even by action movie standards are unbelievable (Die Another Day). Die Hard 4 sticks to its roots, the action scenes are pretty realistic and are generally believable, the whole film follows the thread of the first three very smoothly.

In this you have the addition of McClanes daughter Lucy who we last saw in Die Hard, who appears in an enjoyable opening scene. McClane is sent to pick up Justin Longs character Matt Ferrell and transport him to the FBI in Washington. Of course being a Die Hard film nothing goes that smoothly. The action starts fairly early on and is pretty relentless from there on, there are a couple of moments of respite and these are handled pretty well.

Timothy Olyphant makes a pretty good bad guy, he plays it cool and calm and doesn't go in for the craziness of Tommy Lee Jones type villains. The interaction between Olyphant and his subordinates make a few jibes at the American tv and movies tendency to over state things that happen, if you see the film you'll see what I mean.

Something I criticised X3 for was that it tried to inject humour into every scene it could, DH4 does something a little similar, it comes with the standard amount of quips from McClane and then a few more. Where this differs from X3, is that it makes sense, it works, the film doesn't go about it in a stupid way. I'm not saying that a few less quips wouldn't have hurt, but the amount there doesn't detract from the film.

There isn't much to quibble with the film, the only thing comes in regards to the action sequences and the OTT style scenes I mentioned earlier. DH4 has one such sequence towards the end of the film and I won't spoil it here you'll see it. It's not terrible by any means but it doesn't fit with the rest of the film..... but that is the only problem.

All in all DH4 is great, Willis is great as McClane as always, the role obviously fits him like a glove and you can see he's enjoying it.
Len Wisemann has nearly redeemed himself for Underworld Evolution, he's done a great DH movie and you should all go and see it asap.

This obviously requires the obligatory Yippee Kay Ay Mother.......

Rating 9/10

torchwood

I have to agree i went to see it yesterday and it is very good. Cool

I went in hoping to like it but had a bad feeling that i would leave being dissapointed but Yippee-ki-yay! the action comes at a good pace with some good jokes too
I do not know why the critics are giving it average reviews as all the public who see it seem to love it.
Although no one in the cinema seemed to get the agent johnson joke.

Same for me 9/10 go to see it now Exclamation

Reaper

Most of my row got that, though they were mostly people I know and we all love the original.... so thats probably why Wink

Guest

I am looking foward to seeing this myself.

Reaper

Get your arse to the cinema man!

waffle

Brilliant film - great fun. Best since the first one I reckon. Completely OTT, but that's exactly what it should be.

Maggie Q is tops!

McClane's daughter (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) really looks like Elisha Cuthbert in a brunette wig.

Bring on Potter on Thursday!

The Odeon in Canterbury are getting a bunch of sexy 'premiere' seats fitted this week. Bigger and more comfy apparently.

Kikari

Heck yeah.

I think the third one kinda dissapointed me a lil not to say it wasent good though.

When I went to see this my expectations ALL MET!

If you havent seen this film hang your head in shame.... lower.. THATS NOT ENOUGH SHAME!!!.

Haha go see this film its awsome.