cornwall movie magic and big screen magazines /
the best in local cinema / film / reviews / prizes / features / previews /
> HOME > CURRENT ISSUE > WOZZON
| |||||
|
>> LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
PREPARE FOR A STUNT-TASTIC BRUCIE BONUS
Should I compare Mr Bruce to Mr Sly? Dare I? Oh, what the hay. There’s something about comebacks that breeds cynicism. And, to convince you fickle moviegoers otherwise, let’s just put it out there and quash your fears.
So Rocky isn’t McClane. Yet two middle-aged actors with a well tallied string of action blockbusters both re-making the successes that made their name could spell the fatalistic: desperate rehash.
Last year’s Rocky Balboa wasn’t a great cinematic sell-out, but that isn’t necessarily an ominous sign for Die Hard. For a start, it’s a very different franchise. And Mr Willis makes good choices. Flogging a dead donkey is a mistake you don’t want to make in Hollywood and it’s something I can’t accuse the man of. So my verdict is no - I don’t think that Bruce will (ahem) flop in the way that Sylvester has recently been accused of.
In this, the fourth of the Die Hard series following a massive sell-out trilogy, Willis returns with all the brawn necessary to tackle the most despotic of crims.
The US infrastructure is attacked on the July 4th holiday, sending all systems into chaos and unveiling a villain intent on evil control. The only thing he didn’t factor into his cunning plan was an old-school cop with a penchant for danger and a history of always catching his man.
The plot certainly echoes 9/11, as is the States’ continuing preoccupation with the terrorist theme, but it’s mostly all about the muscle and attitude. And there’s nothing wrong with that. The only thing missing is Willis’ tight white vest, but alas - you simply can’t have it all.
It does maintain the slightly stereotypical the-villain-thieves-someone-the-hero-loves aspect to it (I think the yanks call it leverage), but fair play. It works and adds a compelling ‘human’ factor that keeps it oh so real. The producers have gone for the ‘real action, real humour’ hook and, ultimately, I think that’s why the public will respond in kind to John McClane’s shaven headed revival. Enjoy.
Hannah May