Len Wiseman directs Bruce Willis, Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant in this belated fourth entry to the John McClane franchise where the tough cop who won’t stop takes on hackers who eradicate all of America’s infrastructure for a day.

I can see the flaws and compromises but, taken away from the high water marks of the original trilogy, this has plenty to enjoy as a big budget Friday night actioner. No swearing or gore -I give you Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s casting as Lucy McClane as adequate compensation. So the story can be a bit join the dots – some of those dots include Willis muttering to himself as he drives a police car into a helicopter, an elevator fight that grinds out the tension and the big jet fighter versus big rig demolition derby. Does action of such cartoonish scale belong in a Die Hard? The claustrophobia of the unimpeachable original might be long forgotten but it feels like the next evolutionary step from 3’s scavenger hunt across New York buddy cop mayhem. AND this plays like Mike Leigh compared to the superhero and Fast & Furious flicks that followed in its wake. Is Timothy Olyphant a good villain? Charismatic actor, weakly written part… but the general concept of his plan is surprisingly robust and has legs to carry a movie plot. My only real criticism is Justin Long’s good hacker should have been McClane’s estranged son… then the whole motivation for our reluctant hero to be involved makes a ton more sense and their relationship arc feels organic. All in all, better than its reputation. Stick some Creedence on and get with the program, Dwayne!

7

Perfect Double Bill: Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)

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