"Die Hard" Second Time's a Charm


    As someone born in the early 2000's it's hard for me to grasp the cultural phenomenon that is Die Hard, I mean I don't even live in America either, though I suppose Toronto is similar enough culturally that its acclaim would have carried over the border to at least some extent. Yet, I didn't get it, and even now, I still don't really understand how it became as big as it did.

    I mean from the arguments about whether or not it's a Christmas movie to Jake Peralta's obsession with the movie in Brooklyn-Nine Nine I've seen many cultural references to the film but never understood why. I mean from the swearing which is much more prominent than I remember from my initial watch of the film to the heavy amounts of guns and blood that are present it doesn't really strike me as something that could be a classic, or enjoyed by all like I initially thought it would.

    I suppose that simply says more about my expectations for the film though, because despite all of this complaining about what I thought Die Hard would be it still was surprisingly good. At first watch I wasn't really impressed with the movie to be honest. This was supposed to be the cult classic that put Bruce Willis on the map? I mean it had good action, it had iconic scenes, it had many, many one liners, I suppose I just thought it would be more.

    Though, I suppose that what makes it a crowd pleaser. It's simple yet effective. From, the endearing relationship that develops between Powell and McClane, to the suave villain in Gruber, it's a tried and true formula cooked to near perfection. Even after a second play I can't help but admit that I'm starting to see the appeal of this film. Perhaps if I was a child watching this movie every Christmas I'd appreciate it much more, but for now it's just a fun blast in the past for what formed the childhoods of many other people.

Final Score: 75/100

    If it sounds like I gave this movie the score I did very begrudgingly, that's kind of because I did. I mean it's not like I hated it, I guess I just wanted to love it more. I suppose it's one of those movies where if you blink you miss it, because otherwise I can't see how this movie became the phenomenon it did. That doesn't make it bad, but it doesn't make it amazing either, I guess I this was a movie that was ruined for me thanks to hype and reputation.

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