Movie Loner

Alright, Live Free or Die Hard fails to meet any of the criteria I laid out for this blog. I willingly admit going astray on this one. It’s a humongous Hollywood blockbuster sequel starring one of the world’s biggest movie stars. Alas, temptation and my predilection for kick-ass action flicks has gotten the better of me. If it’s any consolation, the original Die Hard is one of my favorite movies. I was leery when they announced a fourth installment, but after watching it I feel compelled to heap a good amount of justifiable praise upon this big-budgeted franchise.

Bruce Willis is back as reckless hero cop John McClane. Tough and sarcastic as ever, McClane is more grizzled but no more wiser. On the eve of the 4th of July the FBI’s Cyber Crime Division is hacked by unknown geeks. Short-staffed due to the holiday, the Bureau enlists McClane’s aid to bring in New Jersey hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long). McClane arrives at Farrell’s door only to be greeted by machine-gun toting thugs who have an interest in killing young Matt. A tense shootout leaves Farrell’s apartment in ruins as he and McClane narrowly escape. Diametrically opposed, McClane and Farrell head for D.C. to get some answers. They soon discover that the U.S. Government is under siege by a gaggle of nefarious cyber terrorists.

Leading the bad guys is ex government programmer Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant), a steely eyed computer genius bent on creating anarchy. But this is a Die Hard film, so his real motivation is what else — money, lots and lots of money. A cat and mouse game ensues with McClane and Farrell feverishly pursuing Gabriel. Chaos reigns as the clock ticks. To help uncover the plot Farrell brings aboard an uber hacker named Warlock (a hilarious Kevin Smith). Of course, Gabriel does what villains do and kidnaps McClane’s daughter Lucy which further enrages an already testy McClane. A bevy of action sequences is topped off by an electrifying chase involving a tractor trailer and an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Whew!

What a pleasant surprise this was. Director Len Wiseman (The Underworld movies) continues to impress in the action genre. This has the look and feel of the first Die Hard complete with non-stop thrills and plenty of comic relief, thanks to Willis and Long. Super-fans like me will also enjoy the many homages to the earlier movies. The great McClane/Gennero name controversy, an FBI agent named Johnson, and an elevator shaft escape are just some of the references. Willis deserves credit for not half-assing his way through the story. Twelve years after Die Hard: With a Vengeance he could have easily taken the fat payday and delivered a careless performance. Olyphant seems to relish his vicious turn as Gabriel, and the aforementioned Kevin Smith provides some good laughs. Live Free or Die Hard capably resurrects the franchise, so a fifth installment doesn’t seem far-fetched.

A scene from Live Free or Die Hard: