review by Colin the dude
Die Hard 2 1990
Rewatched Apr 08, 2012
Colin the dude’s review:
Falling from A-list to B-list action, Die Hard 2 suffers most from losing a director of considerable skill to one that just competently drags the plot along as a hired hand. The action doesn't pop off the screen. Good news is Bruce still brings the goods and is at least enjoying himself, not something I can say about the stars of Another 48 Hrs, which I think is an apt comparison in downgrading as a sequel even though 48 Hrs isn't quite in the same league as Die Hard. Both sequels came out the same summer.
I disagree with you, but can't think of any decent points to defend my view. Basically, I loved this movie so much when I was a youngin, that I wore out my recorded off TV, VHS copy. I have watched this film at least fifty times. This is in no way an exaggeration. If I had friends over we either watched this, Broken Arrow, or Back to the Future 3. Sometimes we would watch all three. Also, since my copy of Die Hard 2 was recorded off TV, the famous line was changed to "Yipee kay yay, Mr. Falcon".
Mr. Harlan did do Cliffhanger, which I'm reeeeally close to rewatching and I'm hoping holds up better than this. You have to admit none of the action scenes here are on the same level as the first one.
I think Die Hard 2 is more fun than Die Hard 3. Naturally it's not as good as the first one but I still like it. In my opinion, Renny Harlin sometimes get unnecessarily bad rep but he made some decent films... Ford Fairlane being my favorite. Granted, his filmography as of late is spotty to say the least.
@Colin the Dude: I will agree that the action scenes in this aren't as fantastic as in the first one. The snowmobile scene doesn't hold up at all. I do think Die Harder has a better "ticking clock" than the first movie though. The idea that planes will start falling out of the sky if JM doesn't save the day is great.
As for Cliffhanger. Cliffhanger is the best action film ever made.
My favourite harlin is still the long kiss goodnight. Cliffhanger is a very close second, though.
As for die hard 2, it is silly uncomplicated fun, nothing wrong with that!
Add me to the Cliffhanger love. The mid-90s were great for action blockbusters, but they were pretty much a last hoorah for proper Hollywood action films.
Die Hard 2 is the worst of the first three (I've not seen 4.0 yet) but still great fun.
4.0 was definitely the worst in the series. Unbelievably boring.
This article perfectly sums up all the problems with Die Hard 2.
I would rank the Die Hard films like this:
1
(a lot of space here)
3
4
2
The John McClane persona at least stays intact up until 4 and I actually really enjoy 3 but need to see it again. Just realized that 1 and 2 are both entirely "night time action films". Pretty funny, can't think of another example off the top of my head.
I think a proper ranking of the Die Hard films should go.
1. Die Hard
2. Die Harder
3. Die Hard with a Vengeance
4. War
5. Genocide
6. Lava enemas
7. Carrot Top
8. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
9. Live Free or Die Hard
Hahaha that's perfect except I do prefer 3 to 2.
So it wasn't too bad then, FilmApe? ;)
There's 14 Stallone movies on netflix but no Cliffhanger! Gonna have to refer to the infinite internet for my sources.
@filmape You forgot to put in Wrath of the Titans.....I still feel violated
Bit harsh on Die Hard 4 there, FilmApe - John McClane riding a fighter jet ain't that bad! :D
Die Harder for me is the weakest of the four so far, I feel. Given John Moore is directing five, expect that to take pole (bottom) position next year!
Bit harsh on Die Hard 4 there, FilmApe - John McClane riding a fighter jet ain't that bad! :D
Die Harder for me is the weakest of the four so far, I feel. Given John Moore is directing five, expect that to take pole (bottom) position next year!
I am not sure how anyone can defend Len Wiseman's cinematic monstrosity. Wiseman is part of the "bro with a budget" camp of directors, and it is fairly obvious that the guy has no idea what a classic action film should be like.