movie review monday: live free or die hard

Live Free or Die Hard

An old-fashioned cop emerges to foil a hi-tech attack on the country's computer infrastructure as Bruce Willis brings back one of the biggest action franchises in screen history. It's been over a decade since audiences last saw with New York cop John McClane (Willis), but now, as the world's greatest criminal mastermind (Timothy Olyphant) attempts to cripple the entire country with an innovative act of technological terrorism, only one cop can insure that the integrity of the system stays in tact. In this, the fourth installment of the long-running action series, Underworld director Len Wiseman picks up the torch formerly carried by directors John McTiernan and Renny Harlin to helm a script penned by Mark Bomback. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide



With a title like that and Bruce Willis in the lead role, you have to know going in that it's going to be a kickass movie. It just can't help itself. I'd only seen the first one, and although I have two more in my apartment right now, K decided that our Sunday afternoon activity should be going to see Live Free or Die Hard.

I loved it.

This one is rated PG-13, so there is no gratutitous sex or language. Obviously there is plenty of explosions, chases, fights, and dying, but none of it was excessively gruesome. And the trademark phrase includes the f word, but don't worry, they found a way to fit it in anyway.

The story was great. Creepy because it doesn't seem far off from really happening. It's been done before, and basically in several of my favorite movies. Hackers gain control of very important pieces of our country and use them for their own ill gain. John McClain is around on accident and because he is who he is, he goes after the bad guys with gusto to make sure it gets done right. The guy from the Apple commercials is along for the ride, and John's daughter Lucy shows that as much as she has pushed her dad away from her life, she is just like him. Her scenes were some of my favorites.

The special effects are fantastic and Bruce Willis shows he's got what it takes to make kickass movies to continue the series started around twenty years ago. I would really like to see the other Die Hard movies and then go back to see this one again. I caught one reference to the first one so I figure there's got to be little tie ins to the others as well. K couldn't really remember because he hasn't seen them in so long.

I only like action movies if there is a hearty story in the midst of all the explosions and guns, and this one forcibly delivers. Go see it. It's summer blockbuster time after all!

Rating: 3 of 4 stars.