Die Hard 4.0 - review

Die Hard 4.0 (15)

Dir. Len Wiseman

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

The name’s McClane, John McClane and if you find yourself at the mercy of seriously tooled up terrorists – I’m the guy who can sort it out. Outnumbered? Facing impossible odds? Armed only with a handgun and cheeky smirk?
Trust me, that’s how I like it…

I must declare an interest here, Die Hard is one of my all time favourite movies, and yes I even loved the sequels – so it was with a hallowed anticipation that I venture to Leicester Square to witness Die Hard 4.0. It’s been 20 years since Bruce Willis redefined the term ‘action film’ when he burst onto our screens as the regular guy cop in his trademark white vest who just happens to have the guts to face down a small army of terrorists. A lot has moved on in the subsequent years and the big question is – can Die Hard still deliver in our world where terrorist incidents are harsh realities of life for many and a very real constant background threat for us all?

The answer is an unequivocal ‘Yipee-Ki-Yay!!’
Die Hard 4.0 is a massive adrenaline charged, feel good slice of wanton action escapism. The terrorists might have changed (dodgy high tech style Timothy Olyphant and his high velocity weapon packing crew are out to rob all of the US by hacking the country’s entire computer systems) but they still haven’t learnt to factor in detective John McClane getting involved. The plot sees McClane assigned to pick up young computer hacker Matt (a decent supporting turn from Justin ‘Jeepers Creepers’ Long) and before you can say ‘look out for the hit squad with automatic weaponry’ Matt and John are up to their eyeballs in trouble. Throw in possibly the best ever cameo in a film - by none other than Kevin 'Clerks' Smith and your in for a very good time!

The action levels in Die Hard 4.0 set new standards in what I like to term ‘tasty action violence’. Nobody does gunfights, car chases or using everyday objects as makeshift weapons quite like Willis and 4.0 doesn’t hold back on the fisticuffs either. Yes it goes seriously over the top in a big way, but rather than lose the viewer, director Len ‘Underworld’ Wiseman manages to pull off a cracking balancing act – anchored in the fact that even in the face of advanced digital tribulation, McClane is still the analogue solution.

Potentially the most stupid but also the most exciting film of the year – be sure to check in your disbelief as you pick up your popcorn, then sit back and enjoy the white knuckle ride of your life.

Bruce has swept pretenders aside and proves that he is still the ‘go to guy’ for outstanding butt kicking action in a vest…

Out of 5 you have to go with a thrill inducing 5 (a great slice of action nonsense)...

Darkmatters ratings:

Action ööööö – Die Hard films deliver the best action around
Laughs ööö – still got some killer quips
Horror öö – not too grim, but doesn't whimp out
Babes ööö – Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maggie Q should keep you going!

Overall ööööö (Yipee-Ki-Yay my friends...)





Enter the Darkmatters Die Hard 4.0 competition here: http://darkmatt.blogspot.com/2007/07/die-hard-40-darkmatters-competition.html

Darkmatters: H O M E