One of the most iconic action movies from the decade of the
action movie, Die Hard made a movie
star of TV actor Bruce Willis and has thus far led to three sequels with a
forth on the way. A critical hit upon its release and an enduring cult hit, Die Hard has been immortalised in
popular culture thanks to its lone hero central character, gritty action and
signature quote “Yippie-ki-yay motherfucker!” Even a quarter of a century on
I’m able to watch Die Hard with the
same joy and enthusiasm as it was first greeted when I was a mere toddler. The
story is simple. New York City Cop John McLane (Bruce Willis) is on his way
from New York
to L.A to be with his estranged family at Christmas. He is dropped off at his
wife’s Christmas party in the Nakatomi Plaza building but soon finds the office
has been taken hostage by a group of mostly European terrorists lead by the
masterfully camp Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). With just his wits, a vest and
handgun, McLane must take back the building, save his wife and save Christmas.