Why 'Die Hard' Still Holds Up 30 Years Later
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why 'Die Hard' Still Holds Up 30 Years Later

Stolen machine guns and C4 not only keep the action going, but also the viewer engaged.

40
Why 'Die Hard' Still Holds Up 30 Years Later

This week I got to re-watch the action movie classic Die Hard in one of my film classes. And although I have discussed it before, (see my Christmas movies list from last year) it has been admittedly a few years since I have sat down and watched the whole thing and not caught the end of it on cable, serious I have seen Al shoot Karl about 7 times in the past 3 years without having seen anything else in the film.

And although Jake Peralta mentions Die Hard numerous times throughout one of my favorite TV comedies Brooklyn Nine Nine, I didn't realize just how many iconic moments were in the first film alone. I mean no wonder it's called Die Hard, since John McClane jumps off of a roof of a skyscraper with only a fire hose and also climbs down a shaft using only the strap of his machine gun to hold him up all within a little over two hours of runtime.

This was also the first time I had seen the film in its entirety since Alan Rickman who plays the head terrorist Hans Gruber passed away in 2016. And man did I forget how good he is in the film. He's one in a handful of villains that despite his dastardly deeds you can't help but wait eagerly until he is back on the screen. In fact, he's such a great villain that his watch-influenced-death had to be prolonged via slow-mo, which for '80s action movie villains is an honorable death.

John McClane on the other end of the good vs evil spectrum is almost like a video game character in how he operates during his impromptu mission to stop the terrorists that have taken over the Nakatomi Plaza. Unlike a lot of other films in the action movie medium, he has to be conscious with how he uses his weapons as he has to do a lot of damage with the handgun he has on him as an off-duty cop and the other weapons he takes from the terrorists.

Although Die Hard is absolutely a hyper-violent film, the first film carefully calculates and shows the viewer why and how it's so violent in that we follow McClane as he gets more weapons, including some C4 which he sets off in order to show the cops below the gravity of the situation.

Because of the back to back to back situations our hero finds himself in, Die Hard is able to keep the viewer engaged without having to resort to big-budget special effects (except for the C4 explosion mentioned above of course) which keeps viewers engaged as they watch an everyday cop take down the terrorists that are holding his estranged wife hostage.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47616
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30179
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954250
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

171109
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments