Review: Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)
Feb. 12, 2013
NOTE: With A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD opening on Thursday, we thought this would be a great time to revisit the older films from the franchise, so expect a review/day until my review of the latest one is posted on Friday.
The main villains here certainly serve their purpose. Both Sadler and Nero have the badass vibe down, yet they lack the color that Rickman gave Gruber. The two actors do good enough work, specifically Sadler who gives a strong performance, but they come across as mere run-of-the-mill villains in this franchise. Perhaps it is the lack of a connection between McClane which deflates their fear factor. After all, one of my favorite moments in the original DIE HARD is the early scene between Willis and Rickman that raises the stakes which is sorely lacking here.
PLOT: Can this guy ever have a quiet Christmas with his family? On Christmas Eve, Detective John McClane waits for his wife to arrive on an incoming flight. Unfortunately at the very same time a group of thugs take over the airport in an attempt to free a vicious drug lord. Will McClane be able to once again, save his wife and everybody else from certain devastation? Of course he will, but it sure is fun watching him do it.
REVIEW:
What a monumental task it must have been to take on another DIE HARD film. Of course with its massive success there was bound to be a sequel and what more can you do with DIE HARD? DIE HARDER naturally. In the Renny Harlin directed sequel DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER, NYPD Detective John McClane has been promoted to lieutenant and officially transferred to Los Angeles to be with his family. Now most family’s holiday plans include sitting around a tree opening presents and drinking eggnog, but not McClane. He seems to always have to deal with really nasty terrorists looking to spoil Christmas for everybody.
In this high energy sequel, there is a similar tone to the first film except like most part 2’s, there is a bigger body count and bigger explosions. Some familiar faces – in addition to Bruce Willis as McClane – return including Bonnie Bedelia as Holly McClane, William Atherton as that pesky reporter and even Reginald VelJohnson shows up for a minute. Were they necessary to this second feature? Not really, especially in VelJohnson’s case, however they clearly wanted to connect this film to the first beyond just the main character. In fact, Holly is in a similar predicament as she was in the original. And let’s face it, they clearly wanted another great moment where Holly shows Atherton a little something just like they did in the original and call me crazy, but this worked as well.
The main villains here certainly serve their purpose. Both Sadler and Nero have the badass vibe down, yet they lack the color that Rickman gave Gruber. The two actors do good enough work, specifically Sadler who gives a strong performance, but they come across as mere run-of-the-mill villains in this franchise. Perhaps it is the lack of a connection between McClane which deflates their fear factor. After all, one of my favorite moments in the original DIE HARD is the early scene between Willis and Rickman that raises the stakes which is sorely lacking here.
| Extra Tidbit: | Which sequel do you prefer? DIE HARD 2 or LETHAL WEAPON 2? |
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| Source: | JoBlo.com |
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Lethal Weapon 2
In regards to the ET, I prefer Lethal Weapon 2. One of my favourite sequels of all time. It's funnier than the first and yet still has that serious vibe. Love when Riggs taps on the back window of the bad guy's car and says "Hello Asshole!". Cracks me up every time!
In regards to the ET, I prefer Lethal Weapon 2. One of my favourite sequels of all time. It's funnier than the first and yet still has that serious vibe. Love when Riggs taps on the back window of the bad guy's car and says "Hello Asshole!". Cracks me up every time!
Remember when Die Hard was Die Hard?
Under Siege = Die Hard on a submarine
Under Siege 2 = Die Hard on a train
Speed 2 = Die Hard on a cruise ship
Sudden Death = Die Hard in a hockey arena
Star Trek The Next Generation "Starship Mine" = Die Hard on a starship
Under Siege = Die Hard on a submarine
Under Siege 2 = Die Hard on a train
Speed 2 = Die Hard on a cruise ship
Sudden Death = Die Hard in a hockey arena
Star Trek The Next Generation "Starship Mine" = Die Hard on a starship
Great review!
That scene alone takes this movie to a whole different level (comparing it with other action flicks).
That scene alone takes this movie to a whole different level (comparing it with other action flicks).
DIE HARD 2 is awesome.
A holiday classic if you ask me
As for the ET: it's a tough one. I think Lethal Weapon 2 is the best one in its series, surpassing the original. Mel was fantastic in it, his chemistry with Danny even better, a great villain and plot. But between the two? I think I'm gonna have to go with Die Hard 2. It's got better action, whilst LW 2 has the better laughs and since I'm more of an action guy then a comedy guy, McClane wins this battle
LETHAL WEAPON 2!
Plus, I'll take revenge-driven Mel Gibson over anything!
Plus, I'll take revenge-driven Mel Gibson over anything!
unpopular opinion