Directed by:
John McTiernanScreenplay:
Jonathan HensleighCinematography:
Peter Menzies Jr.Composer:
Michael KamenCast:
Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene, Colleen Camp, Anthony Peck, Kevin Chamberlin, Michael Cristofer, Tony Travis, Jeannie Epper (more)Plots(1)
In Die Hard With a Vengeance, McClane (Bruce Willis) becomes involved in a twisted game of Simon Says when an evil terrorist (Jeremy Irons) sends him dashing all over the city in an effort to find a series of explosive devices. Teaming up with electrician Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), McClane soon discovers that the bombs are an elaborate ruse intended to provide cover for a billion dollar bank job. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
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Reviews (8)
Die Hard with a Vengeance is the best action movie of all time. It is an absolute masterclass in camerawork, editing and narrative that was made long before everyone was drooling over these things in some Bourne movie. To wonder over the fact that the bad guys’ plans somehow work out too smoothly or that McClane's indestructibility makes him look like a superhero is akin to pondering the calorie count of Erhart cakes. This is pure filmmaking perfection, two hours packed with enough material for at least three movies and the essence of 1990s genre filmmaking turned up way past eleven. That’s not even to mention the fact that a film of such scope, with so many real New York locations imbued with action, could never be made again. Willis may have had a more essential part in The Last Boy Scout and a more nuanced performance in 12 Monkeys, but here he is given the ideal partner in Samuel L. Jackson to help polish his iconic damaged cop to archetypal perfection. And seeing it at the cinema on the big screen was a dream come true.
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I enjoyed it just as much as the second one, mainly because we are returning to the events of the first movie. Jeremy Irons could easily be the film brother of Alan Rickman, both are excellent villains. The city, which is a much bigger playground, suits John and he knows how to maneuver here. Samuel L. Jackson is a good sidekick.
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A boring mess lacking action, where John McTiernan buried both his career and the basic storyline of the entire Die Hard franchise. Both the first and second films were about an individual fighting against overwhelming odds, the first one in a skyscraper, the second one in an airport. Some details different, Renny Harlin is slightly better with action, but otherwise it's essentially the same thing. But this attractive trademark gets completely sidelined in the third installment, and in an effort to be eye-catching and different, the director throws together everything possible. He turns the city upside down, offends the black community, he even has “helper” Samuel L. Jackson (which, cool as it may be, he’s just unfitting here) and the main villain Jeremy Irons is simply embarrassing. There is a lack of action and it can't be compared to the second film. The least of the problems are the many gimmicks in the convoluted plot (suddenly someone comes up with something and miraculously it always works), the dream-like stunts (how could someone survive a 10-meter fall onto an iron container) and the dull visual effects (water in the tunnel).
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"Simon's going to tell Lt. McClane what to do, and Lt. McClane is going to do it." Unlike the first two, Die Hard With a Vengeance isn’t set at Christmas time and, after Los Angeles and Washington, tries its luck in New York. The position of director was taken up again by the tried and tested maker of part one, John McTiernan and, instead of being cooped up in a skyscraper, this time we career around one of the largest cities in the USA. The story harks slightly back to part one, but in a completely different style than to what we were used to in previous Die Hards. Even Willis’ McClane is more like Joe Hallenbeck from The Last Boy Scout. And we also have Sam Jackson, who is excellent as McClane’s involuntary partner. Plus, the original dubbing on the VHS is almost as perfect as the dubbing of the cult Pulp Fiction and wisecracks are reeled out left right and center.
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An absolutely thrilling ride! I never thought the Die Hard franchise could top its original, but boy, was I wrong. This one had me hooked even more. Die Hard 3 returns to its roots with John McTiernan back in the director's chair, and it was the perfect move. The film doesn't waste any time – it starts with an incredible pace and keeps it up for the entire two hours. Bruce Willis is still in top form, and he's brilliantly paired with Samuel L. Jackson, who unwillingly becomes his sidekick against the terrorists. Unlike the previous films where McClane mostly flies solo, adding a partner was a refreshing twist, especially when that partner is none other than the "Bad Motherfucker" himself, Samuel L. Jackson. He really elevates the film. The chemistry between McClane and Zeus is spot-on, with both characters delivering legendary one-liners while solving riddles and completing tasks to prevent chaos. I thoroughly enjoyed Die Hard with a Vengeance. There's nothing negative I can say about it. Everything works perfectly.
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