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A Good Day To Die Hard

A Good Day To Die Hard

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Cole Hauser, Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

One of my all time great cinema going memories was seeing Die Hard in 1988 at the Kincumber Ritz cinema not knowing anything about it – only to be rocketed out of my seat with pure suspense.

In ‘A Good Day To Die Hard’, Bruce Willis owns the character of Detective John McClane – the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. He makes a habit of it. In this latest instance of impending carnage, McClane travels to Russia to check out the welfare of his supposed wayward son. It turns out his son Jack is a CIA operative working towards prevention of a massive nuclear weapons heist. With old school McClane in downtown Moscow, you just know it won’t be long until something out of the ordinary happens. Like father like son, the pair reluctantly work together in order to stop seriously insane villains intent on finding a folder of secret information located at Chernobyl. Yes, the site where radioactive fallout still remains. Over the top is just an understatement, the combustible plot is as ridiculous as it sounds, but who cares as it’s all about the action.

Gun toting Russian thugs are no match for the McClane boys. From multi car pile ups to explosions for no apparent reason, the orchestrated mayhem blazes across the screen. Australian Jai Courtney is certain to continue the series as Jack, his wise cracks equal that of his smirking Dad. He’s a good actor with the essential physicality. The weathered beaten up body of Bruce Willis is still up for the challenge of extravagant stunts. For those who love the earlier films as I do, there are some welcome references including much quoted Yippee Ki Yay line. But that’s where the comparisons stop. The simple scenario of one man saving his wife from trigger happy terrorists in an unfinished skyscraper against all odds is long gone.

The Die Hard movies attempt to outdo each other every time with limited effect; essentially turning McClane into The Terminator. The finale in this instalment will prove my point. Embracing the excess is the best way to enjoy this unrealistic adventure.

© Shane A. Bassett

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