/ oliverharper www.olivers-retrospectives.com / ollieh82 / oliverharpersretrospec... / oliverharper1982 DIE HARD with a Vengeance (1995) Retrospective / Review Let's Play Channel / retropodcasts
The best thing about the film was Jackson's and Willis' chemistry. They were just *perfect* together. "So what's up with this LA thing, you famous or something?" "Yeah, for about 15 seconds." "Don't tell me, Rodney King right?" "Fuck you." :D gets me everytime.
Even 27 years later, this movie is still one hell of a thrill ride. The chemistry between Willis and Jackson is perfect, the script doesn't have a single ounce of fat on it, the delivery by Willis, Jackson and especially Jeremy Irons as Simon Gruber is phenomenal. Why can't they make these kind of movies today?
+Ragitsu I feel the opposite to that claim. Mostly because I think the second one had a cool villain. In part 3 Samuel kind of annoyed me. But I do see the value on what each Die Hard has.
Ragitsu I liked how part 2 came out. I do see the over the top nature but I liked it. Plus, John was still at odds against his enemies since it relates more to part 1. In the terms of his possible mortal peril. I didn't like 3 because of how simple Samuel's character was written. Also, he didn't get to be involved much besides the first half of the movie. He became sort of irrelevant. I wanted to like Simon but he was pretty clever to plot a plan with McClaine. His strained relationship with his wife was pretty apparent in part 2. In part 3, it felt dragged out and I didn't feel invested into it anymore. If anything, part 3 could have involved one of John's children and could have been pretty interesting if a new dynamic was introduced to John's character. I know part 5 did so, but the writing in that one was terrible. It had the chance to make an interesting villain but missed the mark completely... Both 2 and 3 Sequels were campy in their own ways. I still love Die Hard.
I think, by far, my favourite line in that movie, probably just for delivery alone, is when Simon calls the police station after McClane and Zeus show up, and he asks to speak to Zeus, to tell him he interfered with his well-laid plan, to which Zeus responds with "Yeah? Well you can stick your well-laid plan up your well-laid ass."
The racial tension in the film provides a really good real world relatable backdrop for the 2 main characters. On 1 hand they don't want to have anything to do with 1 another, but they somehow manage to co-operate so much so that by the end of the film they like each other despite their obvious differences and backgrounds. It says a lot without making any major political statements. Which is something that today's world can't comprehend without getting the Twittersphere in knots. For me this is the best film in the series because of Samuel L Jackson and Bruce Willis. Both shining through, but not outshining each other.
how do you not have more viewers? Your videos are so well made. they rival big production tv shows. love your work and you highlight the films you cover so well. you immortalize them, and your writing, editing and narration is the best I've seen.
My kids got me the Die Hard movies on Blu Ray for fathers day last year. Love the first one. The third (this one) was underrated, I forgot how great it was
The best line is actually after "Yippee Ki Yay..." when McClane asks Zeus if they should call the fire department to put out the chopper and Zeus says "Fuck 'em. Let 'em cook."
Fantastic review as always Ollie. Really in depth and thorough. I can always count on you to provide some info that i haven't heard despite watching this movie like 50 times!! Keep up the good work buddy, great job
Die Hard 4 for me is a good fun movie, sure it's over the top and outrageous in parts, but it could of been so much worse. The cast all worked well together. Let's never mention the 5th entry yeah
His sidekick also works and it's not just a buddy cop thing. Cause we've seen even from #2 that John's always behind the times. In #4 he's nowhere near the times, so he needs a link between him and the cyber terrorists. 4 gets a pass. You can see some cracks appearing, as you said, but it's good enough.
Die hard 4 was pretty well directed and shot beautifully. It got ridiculous at moments But I still prefer it over the 2nd. John McTiernans 1st and 3rd are incredible. The 5 th is pure dogshit.
I enjoy the Die hard 4. For me, I understand why his behavior in die hard 4. He is a flawed man but still respectable in doing his job, going above and beyond to stop the bad guy and also show his fatherly side when his daughter was kidnapped and show how he do anything to save his daughter. Anyway, I still think Die hard with the vengeance still the best of the bunch, just behind the original.
Die Hard 4 or Live Free or Die Hard is a good movie in its own right, that being a fun, guilty pleasure action movie with great action stupid as hell humour and a decent Bruce Willis performance. Whereas Die Hard 5 or A good day to Die Hard went to far with the direction that was used in the 4th movie and pretty destroyed the die hard name. With the movie suffering from a weak plot, far too much of the stupid dialogue and humour from the previous films only worse than ever and also the movie littered with looney toons esk action, which not at all impressive. Sadly this movie also abused the whole part of it feeling like a die hard movie and the partnership- bromance between John and his son in this movie doesn’t work, and there is no chemistry between the two actors. I think that Samuel L. Jackson had amazing chemistry with Bruce Willis in Die Hard with A Vengeance and Justin Long had at least something chemistry with Willis in Live Free or Die Hard but here in this film Jai Courtney and Bruce Willis have no chemistry, I also think they both provide wooden as hell performances. Willis himself just acts like a stubborn old man, rather than McClane, making his character less likeable and also less interesting. Now yes the same can be said about Live Free but at least that film Willis tried with his performance and actually recaptured some of the magic he had in the original trilogy but A good day to Die Hard they go to far, as does Willis.
My big issue with this film is that I wish there was a little more focus on why McClaine and his wife separated again, because they seemed pretty happy at the end of Die Hard 2. It just says they had a big fight. Over what, might I ask?
Die Hard With A Vengeance is one of the greatest action sequels and action films ever by far! Who would ever think that McTiernan could capture the same tone, feel and realistic level of suspense that made the first film so great? Also, Jeremy Irons was a fantastic choice for Hans Gruber! He made a standard hoaky action film cliche, in this case, the brother seeking revenge for his sibling's death believable! The only thing that might have worked for III is if Franka Potente would have played Hans daughter looking for revenge and got to Lucy McClane to get to John! Orrr maybe not! But I have always felt part three and even more so then that absolute atrocity A Good Day To Die Hard, at least one more great sequel could have been made to this franchise! Let's hope a great writer is working on Die Hard: Year One! If that's still happening!
Great work on all your retrospects. I am about the same age as you, born in 83 and I love that you nail most of the films that I as well grew up on.. Keep up the great work
I still think this is the best sequel of the trilogy. The so called fourth and fifth films aren't Die Hard films, but shameless cash grabs using the name for profit. This film is miles better than the second. Not knocking part 2 just saying it's more of its own thing verses the second film, which apes the first film too closely.
The fourth movie wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it. I thought it was a decent sequel. The villain was generic, his daughter was just a damsel in distress. Lot of the action sequences were bit over the top. But I liked the chemistry between McClane and Justin Long's character. Bruce Willis gave a good performance. It seemed like John McClane in the wrong movie, kinda thing. It was entertaining to see the McClane we grew up with in the 90s in the modern day computer age, and how he is unfamiliar with it. It works better than Indiana Jones 4.
Montgomery Jackson die hard 4 is actually a die hard film, especially when you look at die hard 5 which was a disgrace to the franchise, and now they’re making a new film that’s half prequel half sequel, it has len wiseman as the director again so it could be good
Oh man, I thought you were going to place the Michael Scott Die Hard 4 monologue from the office there for a minute, it's very similar to what you are saying (almost verbatim!). Awesome retrospective as always.
The explosion in the opening scene looks so good, its one of the best explosions in movie history. Also Die Hard with a Vengeance is my favorite Die Hard Movie, its so tense and fast paced
A fun way to rewatch this is when you realize it's a retelling of how the Olympians defeated the Titan Cronos who is the Titan of time. McClain is Poseidon always in water. Zeus is obvious, also he is an electrician. Simon is Hades Lord of the underworld. McClain and Zeus are constantly sent on missions where they have to beat a time limit aka Cronos. Simon is also trying to beat the clock. Back to the future is the same retelling.
love the quote ''like watching your mate piss around on grand theft auto'' i am that mate that used to piss around on that game... pavement rampage...aka 5 star madness
When John McClane still was John McClane. The new die hard movies are absolute carbage. Die Hard 4 was watchable but had really nothing to do with the originals. Edited my message 4 years later: DH3 is my favorite DH movie after DH1. I actually prefer Die Hard 4 to better than Die Hard 2. I have seen DH5 and to me that movie does not exist.
Interesting note, the finale with the helicopter was filmed at a truck stop in Jessup, Maryland off of Route 1, I got to go see the filming as a young man. Good memories.
Totally addicted to your Retrospective videos! been watching a ton of them since I found your channel! This movie is one of my fav's for sure! :D I guess you had to mention the 5th movie... which I don't even associate with the franchise myself, I mean it's like Bruce Willis was like "Oh another one? hmm okay easy money" and he just phoned it in really... got his paycheck ;D To me, i think he still had his John Mcclane character and personality in the 4th movie (despite the new bald look) And in the 5th movie, he just does insane stunts in public not caring about collateral damage... nothing... feels like a totally different person :\
The reason the cops were portrayed to be bubbling idiots wasn't to drag the film's pace (buzzword) nor for cheap comic relief. It was to show how incompetence and callousness of government authorities. The FBI especially were portrayed to be blase and cruel, causing more harm than good.
Well I wasn't commenting on the cops effecting the pace of the movie. It was more an issue with how they're written. Its an obvious knock at authority the writers are throwing in but I felt they could've been better written. I thought it was great they weren't played for dumb asses in DH3. :)
Oliver Harper It's done to compliment Conservative subtext of the film, which was popular for action films during the Reagan presidency. It was bold move to take a stab at the FBI, whom are often portrayed to be virtuous in film and television.
Oliver Harper An alternative explanation could be that the writers were picking on stereotypes of various law enforcement agencies, perhaps based on their individual reputations. The LAPD was depicted as simultaneously overconfident and incompetent, the FBI was depicted as so "by the book" the criminals could exploit their predictability, and the Dulles International Airport Police were depicted as glorified security guards. Thematically, it makes sense for the NYPD to be shown in a favorable light because they had a good reputation in the 90's and they were John McClane's department. It would be nonsensical for the NYPD to look like idiots, yet produce the clever and stalwart hero of the franchise.
I agree because police and agencies in some form or another make things worse or become an annoyance for the hero e.g Agents Johnson turn the power off which is what the terrorists required to get the money.
yes!!!! i remember seeing this in the movie theater, i believe it was the first time i heard real surround sound in the cinema ... and the sound was fantastic, you could swear that real bullets were wizzzing by your ears... it was a really great time at the theatre, definatly one of my best cinema experiences
Whenever I hear the argument about the guy in the end coming 'back to life' in the end of the first film, I feel like I should say that the scenario for someone actually survives a hanging and perceiving to 'revive' themselves is completely plausible. Do a little reading, and you'll find it happened quite a bit back when they would hang criminals. Some would actually survive the hanging (appear deceased) and come 'back to life' even sometimes in their coffins being prepared for burial (sometimes a day later). Long story short, that kind of thing is actually within the realm of possibility!
In my mind this and the first DieHard are the only ones to exist. I felt the second simply just fell flat, it's astonishing to discover that Diehard 3 was a mashup of ideas, when it turned out to be a very slick and well done plot.
"Terrorist scavenger hunt across the landscape of NYC" is such a thrilling concept which is what makes this work so well. As well as amazingly well written and likable supporting characters, and the great performances of Bruce Willis and Samuel Jackson. I like it just as much as the original, it's just different in some ways
Another great retrospective and totally agree with you on the Die Hards. I think the first half of Die Hard 3 is the tightest with the best dialogue and - like you say - best supporting roles but although I love the film, I do find it tends to fall a little flat once the dump trucks leave Manhattan. I shall have to get Kaman's score too. Thanks.
Fantastic video! TBH I think 3 is the best Die Hard for all the reasons you outlined in the video. I still love the first movie and the second as well, but the issues you've highlighted and how they aren't issues in 3 is what tips it over the edge for me.
Fantastic R/R Oliver, I loved this movie, and it's a really close second with the first movie. The humor that was in the movie, as well as the practical action really make it work, even the not so superheroic parts that you will find in the 4th, and 5th follow ups that I could care less about.
A great review Oliver. I have to say that this is probably the one I watch the most from the series. I love the original and I really like the second one but I guess I like the third mostly because like you said the supporting characters are really likeable but also because I find the movie really quotable. Die hard 4 and 5 just never really clicked with me, 5 especially as while I didn't think it was all that bad as an action movie it just didn't feel like a Die Hard movie.
The fifth film was indeed a disappointment. It just became a generic action film that could have been interpreted by any characters outside of the Die Hard universe. It also had too many silly moments like McClane falling quite lengthy distances and barely getting so much as a scratch on him. I didn’t mind the fourth one, especially as there were some great comedy moments caused by his ever-present technophobia (it also helps that I saw the “Ultimate Action Edition” of the film, which has the original uncut version that the MPAA originally rejected because they wanted a PG-13 and not an R, so had more of an edge to its action as well as a certain catchphrase not having the strong language partially obscured by out-of-place gunfire!).
Great review full of interesting insights. I think i would have preferred Thewlis to Irons, i never saw the connection between him and his supposed brother. Also i feel it would make more sense to have a vengeful younger brother rather than an older one.
Excellent review. You justly praised the score, perhaps the composer's best, but forgot to mention the neat interweaving of a Civil War hymn "When Johnny Comes Marching Home". And home for John McClain is NYC, and where he is at, finally, after different locales the first two times. [... Not sure what airport he was at in no. 2 -- and it may even have been conceivably Kennedy (old Ildewild), in NYC -- but it is sort of irrelevant, as all action takes place at, or adjacent to that, airport.... So therefore he could have been almost anywhere, U.S.A. And action commences in no. 3 "Vengeance" at his old police station in Manhattan. .... But No. 2 was at Reagan (Washington)? ... ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This does turn into a police buddy film to a degree, but why not...? And the police and minor characters here are all very believable, and the script is intelligent as it is witty. How about the scene prior to the finale, where McClain and the good Samaritan are tied to a huge bomb? They cannot think of anything better to do, than to swear at each other for 2 minutes, lol. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three is my favorite of the first four, but I did like it in 2 where they introduced that Commando Squad at the end... That was an interesting turn, and the (black) actor playing lead there was great. It really beefed up the film, and provides a sort of platform and transitioning to the third movie, if only accidental. McClain: "Maybe your not such an asshole after all...?" Commando leader: "Oh, I'm an asshole alright; just your type of asshole..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ All the cursing and rude language is not to be taking literally, is obvious, as anyone who has survived public schools in the last 45 odd years. Merely it is to be scene as colorful exclamation points.
Like the first two Die Hards which take place the day before Christmas, this movie, Die Hard with a Vengeance took place in the hot and sticky summer in New York City and concludes on aCold night in Eastern Canada.
David Thewlis as Simon would have been quite good, just because they could have pulled off a relation to Hans way better. Just look at Thewlis at 5:26 and then at a pic of Alan Rickman as Hans... totally believable.
I remember playing the game really liked it, but the taxi thing took quite a few re takes since you just jumped into it and had to figure it out what to do and it wasn't that obvious what to do at least at the time when I was alot younger :D
My points: -I saw the original Die Hard for the first time last October and loved it so much it put me in an action movie phase which still hasn't dissipated - in the months since I've seen The Rock, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Face/Off, Aliens, Enter the Dragon, Death Wish, Terminator 1-3, First Blood, The Hunt for Red October, The Crow, this film, The Matrix, Predator 2, Lethal Weapon, and Top Gun. Planning on watching Die Hard 2 today. The original Die Hard is my favorite non-sci-fi action movie (and 4th overall behind Aliens and Terminator 1/2). -I saw With A Vengeance for the first time last January and thought it was a fun ride, if nothing too special. Like, the first Die Hard is 10/10 and this is 7/10 (as far as other McTiernan films, I'd say Predator and Red October are also 9/10). Would not work without Samuel L. Jackson (one of my favorite actors, big surprise there, IMO Kingsman and even Pulp Fiction would probably be substantially worse without him - also a huge indictment on George Lucas for wasting him completely in the Star Wars prequels). It was also cool to see Jeremy Irons again after The Lion King. -There's no way an action movie like this would be made today, all the heinous terrorist acts in New York are just that much more wince-worthy in a post-9/11 world.
Another great retrospective and really informative because I didn't know anything about this film's history. I haven't seen parts 4 or 5 but they don't count to me because Bruce was bald thus not really John McClane. Btw, every time I watch one of your videos I always feel like I should be drinking tea and eating crumpets. Keep on keeping it classy!
I love this film so much. It's without a doubt the best Die Hard film. I loved the alternate ending too although in the end, the big fire fight chopper ending was best for this one.
For me, the funniest moment was when McClain said his brother was an ahole. For a split second, you think Simon is going to be pissed and then he starts to laugh. Then, he goes further to say that McClain is right and agrees with him. Then again, John thinks that everyone is an ahole.
Great review, I agree with quite a lot of it. Wicked film, almost as good as the original. I think even if John McTiernan and Bruce Willis came together again to make a tidy Die Hard that they actually want to make and care about, there would still be a lot missing because Michael Kamen wouldn't be doing the music, unless they somehow had a clever thoughtful music editor to kind of blend the music from the first 3 films and in a way to fit it in with the new film. Shame this wouldn't happen, just a thought though.
Love the third one too and the ending is the only weak part where he dosent face off with Irons. The intelligence of the film is really good with the scenes having to solve a riddle; water jugs and Jackson was great and surely helped his career along.
Great review, spot on in terms of placing it in the series. I really liked this film at the time and have seen and enjoyed it several times since but having just re-watched it I found it harder to forgive the water-pipe sequence, especially McClane shooting out of the ground pretty much in front of Zeus, dumb by any standard.
But it is the best Die Hard sequel. It was better than the second movie. It felt more like a true sequel to the first movie. Jackson and Willis were great together. Jeremy Irons was a good villain. I like how the movie went in a different direction by having the majority of the movie have the villain make McClain figure out riddles throughout Manhattan.
