In light of my last entry, it seems a bit strange to actually review a classic Christmas film, but if there is one that exemplifies the spirit of The Exploding Macguffin, that movie is, without a doubt, the original Die Hard.
I hadn’t sat down and watched all of the original Die Hard in quite awhile, but nothing seemed more appropriate for this blog’s Christmas special. The movie has everything. Shirtless, bleeding heroes. Giant teddy bears. Alan Rickman. What more could you ask for?
In all seriousness, Die Hard is not a masterful piece of artwork. It is, instead, completely entertaining. The screenplay has logical inconsistencies and plot holes big enough to let Santa’s sleigh through, but it’s not a movie that aims for realism.
Instead John McClane is Jack Bauer before Jack Bauer existed, but without the deadly seriousness that suffuses 24. McClane’s black humor (including his immortal catchphrase) and his clear love for his family are really all the character development we get in this movie, slapped on the generic “loose canon NY cop” stock character. But he’s awesome, and he’s just stubborn in a way that’s completely great.
(I love the scene in which one of the terrorists, angry because McClane escaped after killing his brother, trashes a corner of the office. McClane’s wife hopefully says, “He’s alive! Only John can drive somebody that crazy!”)
Though the look of the movie is a bit dated, its pure simplicity means the movie itself stays reasonably fresh. Sure, the technology is a bit outdated now, but really, it’s a film about a heist, and that trope has yet to be abandoned.
Speaking of thieves, exceptional or otherwise, Alan Rickman is hand-down my favorite part of Die Hard. I know I’m not alone in this. Hans Gruber is a great villain. He’s a perfect counterpoint to McClane; methodical, civilized, and charming, Gruber is also capable of improvising on the fly and is completely ruthless in a practical way. He’s not a sadist, but if killing someone is more effective than not, well, that’s a necessary cost.
Though it starts a little slow, the pace kicks in as soon as the building is in the theives’ hands. From then on, it moves at a steady clip, alternating banter, suspense and action in a very well-balanced way. Sure, you can sit there and say, “But that wouldn’t work at all.” But for me, at least, I’m happy enough to kick back, suspend my disbelief, and the roof explode.
The movie doesn’t get convoluted, or try to introduce unnecessary subplots. The economy of story, the well-executed special effects (for its time), and the perfect casting of the two lead roles make Die Hard the classic that it is.
I leave you with this (spoilers for all four movies, but…does it really matter?):
Grade: B – Sure, it’s kind of silly, but it does what it wants to do and has tons of fun along the way.
The Exploding Macguffin 