Die Hard 2

A 1990s example of a faithful genre flick that adds new ammo to a worn out template with allusions to new technologies, the obsolescence of McClane’s methods, and the direct clash of the old school (represented by McClane inside the story, as well as the 1980s action drive on the surface) with these newcomers (a hacker’s threat and the self-aware wink and homage to predecessors). The narrative is perfectly structured into several small blocks and it manages to retain the coherent impression of the first one, the action scenes are all entertaining (save for a couple of surprising exceptions), the development of the villains makes sense and Willis drops wisecracks as if his life depended on it. The golden 90s at their best, but with a slightly worn-out package. Harlin was good. 90% (2019-04-10)

John McClane has incredible bad luck. It's Christmas again and he finds himself in a nice mess. At this time of year, it probably wouldn't help him even if he barricaded himself at home with his family and didn't travel anywhere. Terrorists would probably coincidentally attack his house and he would have to deal with it one way or another. Last time he traveled as an NYPD policeman to Los Angeles. This time the situation has turned around and he has already arrived as an LAPD employee to visit his wife's family in New York. This time the terrorists are not just cunning thieves, but highly trained soldiers with a plan to liberate a South American dictator and drug lord in one person. Die Hard 2 is a very solid sequel to the cult film from the 80s, but at the same time it also suffers from the typical flaws of sequels. All action tries to be more epic and bombastic at any cost, and it is not always for the better. There are quite a few glaring inconsistencies and errors in the screenplay compared to the first installment, which are largely due to the aforementioned extreme treatment. It just seemed to me that the creators wanted to make it "cooler" at all costs and meanwhile forgot to catch all the flaws in the script. Nevertheless, despite several negatives that slightly detract from the film, it is still a highly entertaining affair. There are again a lot of legendary lines that you simply can't help but love. McClane again shoots dozens of magazines and faces a crowd of bad guys alone. This time he even manages to blow up an entire plane, escape before a dozen grenades explode, or kill a mercenary using a snow launcher. John McClane is just a badass and does not lose anything from his personality even in the most intense situations, and of course he doesn't forget his most iconic line "Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker!", without which it would definitely not be the same. Die Hard 2 is a quality action film that has its flaws, but if you can be benevolent towards it and not scrutinize it too much, you will definitely enjoy it and it won't offend you even upon further viewing. (2020-01-09)

The action poetics is absolutely fantastic and the end result is excellent. It's no wonder, because only aces were involved in Die Hard 2. Renny Harlin directed it, Stuart Baird edited, Oliver Wood was the cameraman, and the cast of actors is also impressive. The action is, of course, brilliant and blood is really not spared. Script-wise, it’s more ambitious and much less predictable, while still occasionally being literally an action exhibition. The airport is an attractive setting, and if we add professional mercenaries, marines, a drug baron, and a stubborn airport police captain to the mix, we have a plot for three movies together. McLane is just as badass as in the Nakatomi building and keeps delivering one tough wisecrack after another. This is how a golden action gem of the 90s should look like. (2006-09-28)

It’s Christmas again and John McClane is waiting for his wife to arrive at Dulles International Airport in Washington. I know no better way of spending this stifling summer afternoon (12 July 2006, temp. 90°F in the shade) than in the company of John McClane and a band of terrorists capable of any atrocity. Bruce Willis is simply flawless as McClane and 16 years later he’s just as cool as ever. Renny Harlin handles action and suspense perfectly and lots of déjà vu lines like: "Just once, I'd like a regular, normal Christmas. Eggnog, a fuckin' Christmas tree, a little turkey..." They pleasantly lighten the mood of Die Hard 2. Too bad that they don’t make movies like this any more. (2006-07-12)

"Another basement, another elevator. How can the same thing happen to the same guy twice?" The first installment is a well-deserved cult film, but I have to go against the stream and praise the second part, Die Harder, even more. Renny Harlin starts from scratch, letting McClane be vulnerable again as a cop who occasionally gets shaken up, and naturally handles the transition into a rescuer with ease, which is both natural and surprisingly well-developed. The situation, reminiscent of Nakatomi Plaza, is intensified by the airport setting. The only advantage that the previous adventure retains is in the main villain, as the airport phantom is not of the same caliber as Hans, but rather a sadistic bad guy. Die Harder is a bit better than the first mainly because of the action, which looks even rougher and more graceful than its older sibling. (2007-06-17)