That makes sense. When the crew leave the elevator into the Christmas party, the guy in the black jacket (Marco?) rounded out of the elevator with a lot of control and grace.
They chose the corporation because of the $600m in bearer bonds in its vaults. (This would be well over $1 billion today.) Bearer bonds were paid to whomever had the certificates, without much regulation over who had them or how they went from person to person. Thus the name: they were paid to the bearer of the certificates. This means that a thief who stole a bearer bond certificate could still benefit from it, selling it or even living off the interest, as Hans talks about. Modern bonds are tracked and don't work this way any more; bearer bonds are a thing of the past. But it absolutely could have, and did, work at the time of the movie.
There's another earlier but rarely seen film from 1973 called "Cops And Robbers", where two NYPD cops, frustrated with their jobs, decide to steal bearer bonds and fence them to a mobster. However, the Nakatomi Corporation is based in Japan, not the United States. So I doubt they would be totally subjective to the United States government's financial rules when it comes to bearer bonds as an business that's originates and operates here. What I do know for sure is you can't smuggle U.S. bearer bonds out of the country unless people think you're dead and the bonds are destroyed. That's why Hans and his crew had the C4. A real life of bearer bonds smuggling is right here.en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiasso_financial_smuggling_case
Die Hard is one of the best action movies of all time. I love how vulnerable the hero feels, at times a part of you just wonders if he's going to even make it out alive. But also the fact that John and Hans spend more time talking on the radio than face to face really is incredible and the way Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman pull that off is amazing. Also, this is Alan Rickman's first movie and he absolutely kills it as Hans Gruber.
they targeted this place instead of a bank because bearer bonds are a lot harder to trace than cash. Because of their use in illegal activities making new ones has been banned since the 80s so they aren't much of a thing anymore, but back when this movie was made there were still quite a few floating around.
Yes, it is a Christmas movie. They wanted Fabio to be part of their terrorist group but he wasn't available. John McTiernan followed this up with The Hunt for Red October with Sean Connery. Another great Bruce Willis movie to watch is 1998's Mercury Rising. It's a great action/drama with a tender ending.
The unrealistic aspects of the movie aside, this was a Christmas movie. The entire basis for the movie was John coming out to LA to spend time with the wife and kids for Christmas, and the entire movie takes place during a Christmas party.
The irony- "Saying that's Christmas music is like the people saying this is a Christmas movie". The song by Run DMC is called Christmas in Hollis, it's very clearly a Christmas song, just like this is a christmas movie. (said all in good fun)
The great thing about Die hard is the audience always have the upper hand on everyone, we're the ones that are given all the information first. Its so funny watching peoples reaction to this movie in real time and the anger they feel to all the authorities being so dumb. I love 80's movies because the blue-collar working class-hero were celebrated. Today we celebrate unattainable, unrelatable superheroes. Anyway great review.
Casey9420, no such thing as unattainable, that is simply put a term coined by lazy people who couldn't be bothered getting off their asses and put some extra effort in their lives and just so to be perfectly clear, any effort that they do put in is the bottom of the barrel, the absolute minimum required.
@@thegladve We're talking about fictional movies, dummy. There are plenty of unrealistic and unattainable things done in FICTION. Did you miss the part where he said SUPER heroes? Are you also somehow oblivious to superhero movies being a dominant genre now? No matter what type of bug bites you, and no matter how much radioactive goo you cover yourself in, you're not going to be able to fly, stick to walls, shoot lasers from your eyes and lift buildings. Those things are unattainable, and not just because someone is lazy.
To be fair Die Hard was different at the time with the not indistructable working class hero. Not just in comparison to now, but in comparison to then too. Even the heroes that didn't fall into costumed hero category, were still basically super heroes who could do the impossible and take a bullet without even wincing. If they had to jump into a air duct, they would do it with no effort and acrobatically elegant rather than the scrambling and slipping here.
@@patrickjackson5852 i didn't miss a thing, oh FYI i'm not oblivious to superheroes and their place in modern society and culture, but guess what?, it's only so because people dared to push themselves, risking their reputation by doing beyond the bare minimum set by the predominant era that they lived in, you think a company like Marvel for example could get to where it's now if Stan Lee wasn't not only a hard working man but a guy with wild ideas instead of a guy that stuck to extreme realism and doing the bare minimum?
Do you consider Home Alone a Christmas Movie? If Home Alone is universally considered a Christmas movie, then Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie, rather than just a movie that happens to happen at Christmas. The argument against it as a Christmas movie usually comes down to the main theme could happen at any time of the year. Home Alone you could just as easily place the main plot anytime of the year. Christmas is actually more important to the plot of Die Hard. His whole reason for visiting is the Holidays. The Christmas party is a vital part as to why everyone is there late, to be taken hostage. That's even ignoring all the trappings of Christmas music, and decorations. And Home Alone is also watched not only when it's Christmas.
Christmas is just as important to the plot of Home Alone. The entire reason the Wet Bandits are committing all these crimes on the same street is because they know all the homes will be empty, as all the families in this neighbourhood are on holiday abroad, or visiting their relatives. You could come up with an alternative reason why Kevin is Home Alone, but then you could also say the same thing about why McClane is visiting Holly in Die Hard. The Nakatomi party could happening for any number of reasons, as could John visiting his wife, not just for Christmas. John even remarks about how unusual it is for a Japanese company to celebrate the holiday.
A (sorta) naive viewer is about to experience the Christmas party from Hell. Get on Argyle's limousine to the Nakatomi Plaza building, you are entering the Die Hard Zone. Bruce Willis was regarded as "that TV guy: and a lightweight. "Detective John McClane" is an iconic Action hero because: he's not a "Rambo clone," he takes damage, he has moments of fear/comedy/introspection, he's got a working class back story, and he's "dead on his feet" by the last quarter of the movie. "Hans Gruber" is the smoothest/ruthless/decisive villain. Yep, he's an "exceptional criminal," all right. However, "Christmas doesn't begin until 'Hans Gruber' falls off the Nakatomi Plaza.";)
Die Hard fits the criteria. 1. It must be set during the holidays. 2. Must include at least two Christmas songs. 3. It must have decorations. 4. It must have a Christmas Tree. 5. It must have a happy ending. Therefore Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
What sets great movies like this apart from the riff raff is that the script is *extremely* tight. The whole bit with John taking his shoes off after the flight, comes back to haunt him later in the film in a serious way, which results in several emotional revelations for our main characters. The whole thing with John and Holly being estranged comes into play numerous times, and ultimately serves as the great character arc of the movie (with them reuniting as they ride off into the night). The news anchors talking about Helsinki Syndrome, and then John and Hans both laughing together at the end of the movie. Without these elements, it would be a very well-acted action flick, but it wouldn't have been as legendary as it is. These are the things that make a truly great film, the little things.
!00% this, this movie is extremely clever, no-one does things just because the plot requires it, no-one acts stupid so they can be easily beaten, Gruber is always 2-3 steps ahead of McClane, and everything we need to know is communicated quickly and effectively with dozens of such payoiffs. This is more than a great action movie, it's a great movie, period
Not the least bit offended about anybody thinking it's not a Christmas movie, even though I do. And I've seen it so many times, about the only time I watch it anymore is by watching reactions at Christmastime. (Side note: my wife watches -A Christmas Carol- several times throughout the year.)
It is the definition of christmas movies they were about to celebrate Christmas something came to ruin everything the hero saves the day and then they get to have a happy holiday the family was brought back together and new friends were made 💗
Gotta love Alan Rickman. I'm convinced that the real generational divide is between people like me who say "Why is Hans Gruber teaching at Hogwarts?" and younger folks who say "Why does Snape have a German accent?"
There are plenty of reasons for some people to think that this is a Christmas movie , because it's set at Christmas time and all the Christmas references . Even playing " Let It Snow , Let It Snow , Let It Snow " at the end of the movie , gives it that Christmas feel . For the most part , I agree , with one exception , the movie was released in theaters during the summer , when pretty much every other Christmas movie is released during the holidays . Which I didn't understand why they released it during the summer if it's set at Christmas . Plus because of all the action and violence , it's understandable that some people don't think of it as a traditional Christmas movie . I still enjoy watching it every once in a while though .
@@jeffburnham6611 The double negative is throwing me off. Are you saying Jingle All the Way is, or isn't a Christmas movie? I would classify it as a horror movie. Sure gave me nightmares.
I'm still waiting for somebody to react to the comedy "1941", which takes place a week after the bombing of Pearl Harbor: another "Is this a Christmas movie, or not?", though, at Kay's age, there's a LOT of gags that she may not get.
Kay, here are a few Christmas movies that I wish you'd review someday. • Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988, 43 minutes) • An American Christmas Carol (1979), with Henry Winkler. • One Magic Christmas (1985) - with Harry Dean Stanton as the angel Gideon, and Mary Steenburgen. • Dutch (1991) - with Ed O'Neill from Married with Children, and a young Ethan Embry.
24:55 --- It took me all these years to realize HOW John knew "Bill" wasn't who he said he was... The smokes he took off the first terrorist were European cigarettes which are stronger and blended differently than ones in the US. "Bill" smoked it without coughing or asking what it was....
It isn't Christmas in my house until Hans Gruber falls from the top of the Nakatomi building. 😎 🎄 Fun Fact: Alan Rickman nearly passed up the role of Hans Gruber, which ended up being his first film role. He had only arrived in Hollywood two days earlier and was appalled by the idea of his first role being the villain in an action film. To a degree, Rickman was right to be concerned considering his performance as Hans Gruber was so hailed that the actor had to struggle being typecast as a player of villains for much of his career.
Fun fact one: That was probably not the coke Ellis had in mind. Fun fact two: Ellis was dumb, but by connecting John to himself and keeping Holly out of it compltely, he showed some decency imo, even if it was due to being after Holly himself. Fun fact three: Remember when the original doorman told John there's nobody in the building except the party on the 30th floor ? This is what clues John in that Bill is not who he claims he is (also he might have recognized the voice, another big hint (All terrorists are wearing the same wristwatches) ended up on the cutting floor)).
To fact 2. Pretty sure that Ellis was trying to get into her pants. So his kindness was probably to that end. Also he probably didn't think Hans would kill him
"Fact 3" doesn't prove anything at all. John was on the 30th floor and then wound up on a different one. There's no reason whatsoever that "Bill" couldn't have done the same thing. And John didn't know Hans was lying, but he heavily suspected, that's why he tested him with an empty gun.
Alexander Godunov (Karl) was actually a Russian-born ballet dancer. He defected from the Soviet Union to the US, just like Barishnikov did. Unfortunately, he never really had much prominent acting work after this (partly because he resisted typecasting) and his excessive drinking sent him to an early grave just seven years later.
Greetings from New Jersey. Hope you’re spending the holidays well. 🎄🎄🎄Awesome reaction to an 80’s classic. I’ll definitely be turning in for more reactions. Keep up the good work. PS; Very easy on the eyes btw 😉😉😉🥰😍❤️
Yeah I read on it a long time ago. Before 9/11. There was someone on the plane, I believe they were called a sky warden or something like that. Looked like any other passenger, but were supposed to be there in case there was trouble, and they were just notified of anyone on the plane that was law enforcement and was carrying.
The 911 woman officer's reaction, though frustrating (and story narrative furthering), was by the book correct. It was a police channel he was using, but he didn't identify himself as a police officer for further story narrative reasons. Deputy Chief Duane's cynical reaction, while overplayed (for story narrative), was also legit.
100 % a Christmas movie from the moment John Mc Clane enters the Christmas Party at the Nakotomi Building right through to the moment Hans Gruber falls from the window followed by the bearer bonds snowing down at the finale.
The song Argile plays is Christmas in Hollis by RunDMC.. came out in '87.. so it was brand new right around when they filmed this.. and Rap music would have still been something alien to a guy like McLaine.
33:08 Fun fact: Alan Rickman's face when he was falling was genuine. The director made a point of telling him he'd warn him before the drop and then didn't warn him so that his reaction would be genuine surprise. I don't think Alan was a big fan of that though.
Karl: Alexander Borisovich Godunov (November 28, 1949 - May 18, 1995) was an internationally known Russian ballet dancer and actor, whose defection caused an diplomatic incident between the US and the USSR. President Jimmy Carter was personally involved , his own wife refused to defect with him and left 3 days after
I would never hate on anyone for not calling Die Hard a Christmas movie, even though I believe it is. Your view on it makes sense. But for me, I call it a Christmas movie because it takes place during Christmas, with more than just a few mentions and references to the holiday. The majority of the non-score music in it is Christmas music, the fact that it's Christmas is somehow relevant to the plot (it's both why the building is deserted except for the hostages and it's why the main character is invited to the party), and most importantly, it has become part of my family's Christmas tradition (which is why I don't argue with people who don't believe it's a Christmas movie. I get that a lot of people wouldn't make THIS movie part of their Christmas traditions). We watch this every year on Christmas Eve. I saw a commentor on another video say this and it fit with my family, so I'll say it here: It's not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Tower. With those ideas of what makes a Christmas movie in mind though, here's my top 3 Christmas movies: Die Hard Gremlins Scrooged Although I feel I have to mention here that I also have a bias against movies that are more popular during Christmas. I seem to either hate or be easily bored by a lot of the more popular Christmas movies out there.
The dispatcher's attitude reminded me of Baltimore PD in '83 or '84. While I was fighting 3 strongarm robbers a customer ran to the nearby South Baltimore police station perhaps 50 yards distant and was turned away. Zero effort to be useful. I hope their leadership is better than it was then. A neighbor who saw them flee recognized one of them as recently imprisoned for stabbing someone in the neck.
From a technical standpoint, a perfectly crafted film. The pacing, the editing, and all the payoffs. Endlessly quotable and re-watchable. The sequels are pretty good, but they can't hold a candle to the original. Is it a Christmas movie? It doesn't matter.
I listen to Christmas Wrapping at any time of year. There are a few very Christmas movies I’ll watch any time of year like The Santa Claus. That doesn’t make them not Christmas. So, watching/listening to sometime around Christmas is a good rule of thumb but doesn’t work as a hard rule.
I, with many others know this is a Christmas movie. Not the traditional Christmas movie, but it is centered on Christmas eve at a Christmas party. Christmas was mentioned from start to finish even during the siege of the Natomic plaza building. John's wife is Holly and the soundtrack was Christmas music. Even Hans said himself, it's Christmas, a time for miracles. The debate goes on year after year for many years and those saying its not a Christmas movie most likely watch this movie only around Christmas and take the time to debate the fact, in their opinion, it's not. Can't we all agree it's a Christmas action thriller movie? Because if this isn't a Christmas movie, neither is Home alone. It's just about 2 parents that neglected their child during the Christmas season. Especially the first one. Even the mom didn't like Christmas trees. Geez
I’m fascinated by the whole is-it-a-Christmas-movie thing. The movie doesn’t have much to do with Christmas itself. It does take place during a Christmas party and they work Christmas music into the themes. Make of that what you will. It’s good enough to classify it as a Christmas movie to me. They could transpose this to any party of the year and have it work but I think Christmas party does fit best for the content. These are my two cents; your opinion may vary.
This is my second favourite movie after the original Halloween, and i consider it my favourite Christmas movie. I first saw it when i was about 11 when it first screened on British tv in the early 90's.
I strongly recommend for a more Christmassy feel the British A Christmas Carol, made in 2000, starring Ross Kemp, which gives a modern take on Scrooge.
As a retired LEO, and was a teen who got to see this in the Theaters.....That point of "making mistakes, etc..." now after being living with Complex PTSD....and after losing a wife of 21 years, and my grown kids with kids, "Grandchildren" I've never been able to meet........So the Comments of some are a joke when putting down Law Enforcement...WHEN this is a CHRISTMAS Movie, lol........
Prior to 9/11, the police were more likely to treat terrorist threats as false alarms/hoaxes until proven otherwise. Given there had already been a false fire alarm at the building, the dispatchers were skeptical. This attitude changes after 2001
With the clenching your feet like your country and knuckles on the rug at your flight I've actually done that before and I had to say I actually does work you actually feel a lot better when you do it I think it's just releasing your anxiety for the fact that you were up in the air I still don't know how it works LOL
Christmas is about family. In Die Hard, he's trying to put his family back together---and he ends having to fight terrorism to do it. So, for me, it's an Xmas movie because it's about his love for his family.
In my house we always kick off the Christmas season with Die Hard As the saying goes it's not Christmas until Hans Gruber fall off the building This was Alan's first movie role And also Bruce Willis,he was a comedic actor in the show Moonlighting You should watch Die Hard 2 And lethal weapon all 4 were good
0:58 "Thats something that really sticks with you" Yeah just like the pieces of glass into his foot ;) 18:27 There are pictures of children so probably Mrs. 23:18 "For what?" :D 29:04 Hahaha :) 29:43 I really like that scene. "How nice to make your acquaintance..." 35:30 They weren't terrorist, they were thiefs. Exceptional thiefs. I like your noises 1:01 3:26 5:12 8:39 11:06 13:23 14:24 15:24 25:14 26:07 32:58 :)
Solid point about Die Hard being an "all year" movie rather than a Christmas movie. While I remain in camp Christmas movie, your argument is the best I've heard. Great reaction (as always), hope the channel grows and grows.
"Die Hard 2" is also set at Christmas, and it has a similar vibe but amped up larger. Starting with part 3, the series goes way off the rails. If you want to see Alan Rickman in another scumbag role, try "Quigley Down Under."
Yeah, I thought _Die Hard 2_ was enjoyable, but nearly in the same class as the original. They made the mistake of trying to "go bigger" instead of giving us something new. It worked, but not as good. The third movie they went even bigger and it sucked. I never bothered with the rest of the movies because the trailers all looked like a master class in shark jumping.
@@maingun07 2 was meh, 3 was a pseudo-sequel because it features Hans' brother and was fleshed out rather well. 4 was the best, and 5 was a garbage fire.
I'm not saying that 3 was a bad or unenjoyable movie. I'm just talking about its quality as a Die Hard movie. The original script for 3 actually WASN'T a Die Hard movie, which is why it seems so different. They just adapted it. Labeled the protagonist as McCain, and labeled the antagonist as Gruber's brother. I do like something new in a sequel, but not THAT new.
Kay...SUCH a wonderfully expressive...passionate... person you are! You are intelligent, smooth, funny, observant and articulate. BUT...I have to say...I DO listen to Christmas music all year long. I watch Christmas movies all year long as well. But you are right in that this is NOT a Christmas movie. This is an action movie with a cop on vacation in L.A. who went to his estranged wife's office party. Bad guys arrived, and chaos ensued. It would have worked on the Fourth of July too. Wait! It DID! The FOURTH Die Hard movie takes place on the Fourth of July! "Live Free or Die Hard"! I rest my case.
I was watching a making off it, did you know Alan Rickman did the blue screen drop at the end, they told him they will drop him on the count of three but instead they did it on two! So that look of fear is real! (BTW the series is called movies that made us. On netflix) so interesting worth a watch!
If you were stressed in this movie, you will have a completely different feeling with The Martian. The theme of the movie has enough to make anyone stressed, but no, the author of the novel gave it a different feeling. You will love it.
Love the movie and love your reaction. Also, to get some love out int the world, you look very pretty and festive Kay =) I wish you all a wonderful Christmas time.
That's the sign of a good actor when they play a bad guy or a jerk and make you really hate them, unless they really are creeps in real life and are just playing themselves.
Fist with your toes works babe. You walk around a bit doing it. It increases the circulation to your feet some after hours of them being stiff. Its not a magic thing like the guy said, but it helps a bit after hours of feet not being active. Not as good as a good cigarette with a cup of black coffee and cold shower, but it helps.
@@DougRayPhillips One other exception: a cop who is transporting a criminal. Only under those circumstances, however, otherwise the gun has to be checked with the luggage.
I love your reviews, but this one is particularly delightful. My great-grandfather wrote a few Three Stooges episodes, and I hope you end up reviewing them at some point. Alfred Giebler, he's on imdb. Anyways, you're sooper-cool, thanks!
