Movie Night: Live Free or Die Hard.

Review #320: Live Free or Die Hard.

Cast
Bruce Willis (John McClane), Justin Long (Matthew Farrell), Timothy Olyphant (Thomas Gabriel), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Lucy Gennero-McClane), Maggie Q (Mai Linh), Kevin Smith (Frederick "Warlock" Kaludis), Cliff Curtis (Miguel Bowman), and Jonathan Sadowski (Trey) Directed by Len Wiseman.

Review
302 Reviews (#014, #016, #018) after the last Die Hard (With the two films having a twelve year gap) film, I wondered if this would be just as good as the last three. I was right. It's essentially a standalone installment, not carrying much from the other three (Save for McClane and his daughter), but the film still has a feel from the others, which is a good thing. And the best part? Willis does a great job once again, commanding over the film and delivering lines that actually made me laugh. His character goes trough a lot, with blood and wounds all through out him, much like the last three. It's a split decision over if Long's character is either annoying or slightly beneficial. I pick the middle. He's a bit grating, but he's not the Chris Tucker of partners. The two do have some good lines together (*After McClane jumps out a car that later hits a helicopter, which actually is one of the moments of awesome moments (for me anyway)* You just killed a helicopter with a car!" "I was out of bullets", *McClane is standing next to a Boba Fett cut out* "What, like, you a big fan of the Fett?" "No. I was always more of a Star Wars guy"), and while the partner thing has been done before in Die Hard with a Vengeance with Samuel L. Jackson, this doesn't feel very off. The action is good, keeping the entertainment value at good levels, and keeping itself in check. Olyphant is an alright villain, definitely not the best, but still a useful threat. (Strange fact: It was originally called Die Hard 4.0) Overall, it's a good film (for what it's worth), that satisfies anyone wanting more Die Hard (Fun fact: There's actually a fifth film coming out soon called A Good Day to Die Hard. Heh.), or some good fun. I will only say this once, and for the sake of the film it works, so here you go (for anyone wanting some more quotes): Yippee-Ki-Yay, Motherfucker.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Die Hard with a Vengeance.

Review #018: Die Hard with a Vengeance.

Cast
Bruce Willis (NYPD Lieutenant John McClane), Samuel L. Jackson (Zeus Carver), Jeremy Irons (Simon Gruber), Graham Greene (NYPD Detective Joe Lambert), Colleen Camp (NYPD Detective Connie Kowalski), Larry Bryggman (NYPD Inspector Walter Cobb), Anthony Peck (NYPD Detective Ricky Walsh), Nick Wyman (Mathias Targo), Sam Phillips (Katya), and Kevin Chamberlin (Charles Weiss) Directed by John McTiernan.

Review
As a movie that connects itself with the first film while ignoring the second film (with McTiernan returning to direct this film), it's a good if not perfect movie. Willis and Jackson are pretty good together as a duo, having pretty good scenes in the midst of fairly established tension for both them and the plot. It veers into being like a cartoon with the action at times, but it manages to keep itself going relatively well. Irons is a decent villain, not simply just being the brother of the guy from the first film. Ultimately, there's enough to keep one entertained in this third installment of a franchise that usually delivers some thrills.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Die Hard 2.

Review #016: Die Hard 2.

Cast
Bruce Willis (John McClane), Bonnie Bedelia (Holly Gennero-McClane), William Sadler (Colonel Stuart), Art Evans (Leslie Barnes), William Atherton (Dick Thornburg), Franco Nero (General Ramon Esperanza), Dennis Franz (Captain Carmine Lorenzo), Fred Thompson (Ed Trudeau), John Amos (Major Grant), and Reginald VelJohnson (Al Powell) Directed by Renny Harlin.

Review
This film brings out all the stops of action and story with alright performances that are almost better then the first one (even if you go to watch the action). Although not directed by the first Director (John McTiernan), Harlin manages to make a movie with a bit of the tone from the first one but not too much like it. The plot is decent, but out of the four Die Hard films as of 2010, this one is probably the least remembered even for a sequel because it isn't as fun as the others, but is still a decent film.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.