Die Hard 4.0: Live Free Or Die Hard (4)

I have to admit, on hearing the news of 'Die Hard 4', I was quite dubious. Could the now older Willis maintain the trademark McClane machismo? Would McTiernan return as director? Would the plot revolve around a computer virus? But more importantly, did the world really need another Die Hard movie?...

First of all, Willis has still got it. And by 'it', I mean the ability to handle the action and throw out the cheesy one-liners without coming across like an old-age pensioner clinging on to the successes of their youth. (I'm trying really, really hard not to mention Stallone at this point...) Sadly, the trademark white vest is nowhere to be seen but the determination & spirit of John McClane lives on.

As for director responsibilities, it was announced from an early stage that John McTiernan would not be returning to the helm. I remember reading this news and thinking the movie would instantly be a disaster. Replacing McTiernan would be one of the "new, up and coming" action… more »

I have to admit, on hearing the news of 'Die Hard 4', I was quite dubious. Could the now older Willis maintain the trademark McClane machismo? Would McTiernan return as director? Would the plot revolve around a computer virus? But more importantly, did the world really need another Die Hard movie?...

First of all, Willis has still got it. And by 'it', I mean the ability to handle the action and throw out the cheesy one-liners without coming across like an old-age pensioner clinging on to the successes of their youth. (I'm trying really, really hard not to mention Stallone at this point...) Sadly, the trademark white vest is nowhere to be seen but the determination & spirit of John McClane lives on.

As for director responsibilities, it was announced from an early stage that John McTiernan would not be returning to the helm. I remember reading this news and thinking the movie would instantly be a disaster. Replacing McTiernan would be one of the "new, up and coming" action directors. Len Wiseman was responsible for the above-average 'Underworld' but also the damp, bloody squib of 'Underworld Evolution'. Would yet another classic series be ruined by yet another 'average' director? I'm happy to say that Wiseman actually delivered the goods. The action is spectacular. Although the best bits were all in the trailer, but that's another topic entirely.

As expected, the plot does indeed revolve around computers and viruses (as so many 21st century action movies seem to do these days!). There's a heck of a lot of techno-babble but don't worry because Justin Long, as McClanes new sidekick, is there to explain it all for those of us who aren't quite up on our haxx0r 5p33k.

Leader of the band of internet terrorists is Timothy Olyphant whose performaces I've enjoyed in the past - most notably as film student Mickey in 'Scream 2' and as Seth Bullock in hit TV-show 'Deadwood'. He's well-cast here and along with newcomer Maggie Q, provide a suitable menace. (Olyphant is soon to be seen in the lead role of Agent 47 in the movie adaptation of video-game 'Hitman'...)

Which brings me to my last question - Does the world really need another Die Hard movie? You know, I'm still not quite sure...

There's no denying that technology has changed a lot since the debut of the Die Hard franchise in 1988. Even in the 12 years since the last film, things have evolved exponentially but I'm finding myself beginning to resent films which rely so heavily on computer viruses & techno-babble to provide the underlying villainous threat.

Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned band of machinegun-toting hoodlums holding up a building with a bunch of explosives that need defusing? Maybe I'm getting old or maybe I just love classic, old school action movies too much...

Despite my misgivings, 'Die Hard 4.0' is a fun, enjoyable summer movie and was definitely the first of the summer action movies of 2007 that wasn't a massive disappointment.