Die Hard 2: Die Harder Review
by Jeff Wallace (jeffw AT scam DOT Berkeley DOT EDU)July 5th, 1990
DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER
A film review by Jeff Wallace
Copyright 1990 Jeff Wallace
Summary:
Terrorists take over an airport at Christmas time.
John McClane (Bruce Willis) is waiting for his
wife's flight to arrive. Much havoc ensues. The
result is the most spectacular and entertaining
movie this summer.
The Los Angeles Times recently asked "Where's this summer's blockbuster movie?" The answer is: it's finally here and it's name is DIE HARD 2.
I loved the original DIE HARD and I fully expected to be disappointed by the sequel. Incredibly, this movie is as engrossing and even more spectacular than the original. The plot isn't all that important, but it provides a good foundation for John McClane (Bruce Willis) vs. the bad guys as in the original.
It's Christmas time again and McClane is at Dulles International Airport waiting for his wife's flight to arrive. Also due to arrive is General Esperanza, a deposed Latin American dictator, who is being extradited to the U.S. to face drug charges. Esperanza appears unruffled by his extradition and we quickly discover why.
A group of terrorists/mercenaries take control of the airport and threaten mass destruction if Esperanza isn't released to them. Of course McClane figures out that something nasty is occurring before anyone else. And, of course, the local police don't listen to him.
This occurs in the first 15-20 minutes which leaves our hero, Lieutenant John McClane, now with the Los Angeles Police Department, a good 90+ minutes to kill bad guys, get shot at and make wisecracks.
The story isn't highly original and it certainly isn't going to win an Academy Award for script writing, but you don't go to an action film expecting an in-depth character analysis.
Once the basic set-up information is out of the way DIE HARD 2 takes off. It rolls from shoot-outs to explosions to chase scenes without letting you (or McClane) catch your breath. The fast pace is perfect for this movie and it holds your attention from start to finish.
The bad guys are very bad. The good guy is very good (and very lucky). The photography is impressive and the stunts and effects are stupendous. Industrial Light & Magic is at its peak once again. ILM's models can easily convince you that you're looking at a real 747. This movie is at its finest in 70mm at a theater with a good sound system.
It is a perfect put-your-mind-in-neutral-and-kick-back summer adventure movie.
Highly recommended. On the -4 to +4 scale, I give it +4. The best summer movie this year.
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Jeff Wallace, Experimental Computing Facility (XCF), U.C. Berkeley Internet: [email protected] UUCP:...!ucbvax!scam!jeffw
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