DieHard2

Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)

The sequel. The prequel. The blessed. The damned.

That is how it is today in Hollywood. Once every double rainbow, there are those that are blessed as terrific (The Dark Knight, the Godfather, Part II, Loose Screws: Screwballs II, etc.) and those damned to where-it-shant-be-named (Big Mommas?). Most are just ill-conceived attempts to milk the teat of John & Jane Q. Public, (Yet again… Big Mommas?) while some are necessary. Did we need one to the best action film ever?

I guess so, since we are honored to have Die Hard 2 at our behest, C/O: 20th Century Fox. TM.

It’s Christmastime again, with snow, mistletoe and fah-la-la-la-la all around. John McClane, LAPD this time around, (Willis has returned!) is in D.C., waiting for his wife to arrive on the plane. Of course, being the perpetual stepping in dog piles type of man he is, he just so happens to stumble on to a plot to free a deposed dictator from Velveeta or wherever the Hell he’s from. For God and country, McClane takes charge, gets hassled by the fat guy who gets naked on TV a lot, and is double-crossed by Dy-no-mite’s father in steroid mode.

Oh and preserves the status quo for America!

Yep, it’s one of those movies, but it’s not too bad actually. In fact, it’s pretty damn rad (Yep, I remember when that was in fashion!). Willis brings his usual brilliance to McClane, with the bravado and the vulnerability. More bravado, mostly. It is a consequence of Renny Harlin at the helm and a few writers who would wind up working on the middle-of-the-road action blockbusters of the 90’s. In fact, this is one of those types of films.

Plot holes, clichéd dialogue, big action scenes filled with gore and characters that were integral in the first film being shoved into plot devices. It is a trademark Harlin film, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just watch stupidly as I see huge muzzle flashes singe my eyebrows and bad guy go-down-go-dead.

There are a few moments of pure shock that still rings a bell today as it did 20 years ago, but it’s mostly a Hot Pockets & Cheez-Itz type of movie. Not good for you, but entertaining and tasty.

Just don’t expect the original.

2 ½ out of 4

reviewed by Jake Scarberry