All action heroes are not created equal
Written: Jul 01 '07 (Updated Jul 02 '07)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros: Gritty, witty and not too pretty
Cons: Some poor editing; obviously doesn't stand up to original; The way I wrote the pros
The Bottom Line: I know Justin Long's cousin
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| smarterthan3's Full Review: Live Free or Die Hard |
I haven't quite been quaking in my boots with anticipation since whenever the fourth installment of the Die Hard series was announced, but when the TV spots became regular, I got quite amped and ready to let some improbable action flick entertain me instead of make me laugh out loud in it's own absurdity.
Wait a second.....Why am I coming across sounding like an old fan from way back in 1988 when the original film came out? I'm not even in my 20's yet and, according to the MPAA, I shouldn't have even seen any of these movies up until a year ago (FYI, I was aged 13 years the first time I saw the original, so I like to think I have some longetivity). Still, don't call me bandwagon if I call the Die Hard series the best action film's that I've been exposed to. Now, on with the review.
Live Free or Die Hard (Die Hard 4.0 if you like) escapes the claim of contrivance on the premise of the plot (Sandra Bullock's "The Net" immediately came to mind the first time I heard of "Free's" foundation) by having those in control of the ability to send the world into chaos by actually doing it hard and early into the film. Here's the scoop: A much more aged John McClane (Do I really need to add 'played by' Bruce Willis?) then we've ever seen is still working for the NYPD, relegated to such tasks as going to pick up high-class (at least in skill) hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long, whose character apparently is a fan of Flyleaf. Thumps-up for that.) for questioning at the hands of the F.B.I. Handfuls of other hackers requested to be picked up around the country are showing up dead, and it's only with McClane's help that Farrell makes it to the security center. But that will soon be the least of their problems. Villain Thomas Gabriel (A slightly miscast Timothy Olyphant), his kung-fu girlfriend (Maggie Q) and a geeky collection of computer hackers have gained access into the security system of the United States (A system whose weaknesses Gabriel had preached against after 9/11) and now control everything from the subways to what appears on every television set in the U.S. His mission? To send the Country back into a literal stone age, stripping away the safety net of technology. Of course, McClane and now-partner Farrell won't let it happen without a little say (Mostly from McClane).
So, it is as good, you ask me? I'd reply "Is what as good?" to make the conversation seem longer, and, maybe after you repeat yourself, I'd say no. The acting here is solid, with a mild exception or two. Bruce Willis, naturally, lights the screen up with wisecracks, crude one-liners and nary a stray line. This is still the McClane we know and love. I hesitate to call it a surprise, since I've always been a fan of Justin Long, but he still does a job here that I'd be surprised garners negative press. Perhaps the only hiccup is the miscalculation of Timothy Olyphant as the villain Gabriel. His demeanor is stone cold and his attitude is suave, but something didn't ring right for me. Still, it only takes away from the film if you think of the potential that playing a villain in a Die hard movie can have on the overall film.
For the sake of hits (/kidding), I'll take a quick stance on the PG-13 rating. The violence here, save for one death that should have just been taken out of the film if it was going to be rated this low, is on par for the Die Hard series. McClane stills dons dried blood a majority of the film and his scars are practically omnipresent during the finale. The language, while obviously not as strong, is also quite pervasive. Definitely the hardest PG-13 film I've seen in a while. So, while it was a sell-out move, a rating doesn't make the film and it doesn't affect this one too negatively, aside from some lazy editing that makes some lines obviously censored. Also, I would like to announce, despite my initial theory to the contrary, "Free" doesn't pull a Transporter 2 and forgoe gravity (and reality)...too much.
Lately, I've become disenchanted with gun-toting, kill-em-all action movies that I've seen. Then I watched the original Die Hard the night previous to viewing this flick (Ok, so I started a little late with the Die Hard marathon...Just be glad I'm not reviewing them...all) and I enjoyed myself to the umpth degree. A good Die Hard film means a great action film, and that's how I would sum up this flick. Unfortunately, Die Hard films are usually great, so anything less then that isn't quite as satisfying. But, hey, compared to it's peers in the multiplex right now (The lukewarm Fantastic Four sequel and style-obsessed 1408), the choice on what to see is unanimous. Die Hard all the way.
Oh, and just thank god that the people who ultimately decide stuff like this didn't pull a Stallone and decide to title this flick John McClane. I'd take a PG-13 over that any day.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Action Movie
Film Completeness: A few glitches, but mostly complete.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
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Epinions.com ID:
smarterthan3
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Member: Jim
Reviews written: 194
Trusted by: 53 members
About Me:
If I was worth dying for, this God is worth living for
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