A new entry into the seemingly never ending Die Hard series is set for general release this weekend. Bruce Willis reprises one of his most famous roles as John McClane. I found it pretty hard to believe that this was actually the fifth installment in the series. At this point former officer McClane has killed more people than Seal Team Six.
Die Hard (1988) This is where it all starts Bruce Willis (McClane) is trying to visit his kids and estranged wife at Christmas. After arriving in that zany cuckoo land of Los Angeles, McClane goes to visit the misses at the Nakatomi Plaza building. The Christmas party has an uninvited guest in the form of terrorist/criminal Hans Grueber (Alan Rickman). This film has it all, explosions, twinkies, limo drivers, cocaine, rolex watches, guns, explosions and best of all a heart warming Christmas message. For my money this is the greatest of the Die Hard films.
Die Hard 2 (1990) After the run away success of the first Die Hard film the studio wasted little time in placing John McClain back in harms way. The set up for this sequel involves McClane being at Dulles International Airport on the day that a team of terrorist take over the airport in the hopes of freeing a drug lord. Time is not on McClane’s side as the sky is filled with planes running low on fuel with no where to land with the terrorists in control. As chance would have it, this terrorist attack also takes place during Christmas time. It’s almost as if terrorists don’t celebrate the holidays. McClane makes sure all they get for their trouble is a lump of coal in their stockings or wake up Christmas morning dead.
Die Hard 3 (1995) Yeah I know the actual title is Die Hard with a Vengence. McClane has been hitting the sauce like its going out of style. He has been suspended from the force due to his issues. Thats when stuff in the city starts to blow up. A crazy terrorists wants McClane to attempt to figure out puzzles he has set up in New York City. If McClane refuses to participate or fails, more bombs will go off and more people will die. This entry in the series features some strong co-stars in Samuel L. Jackson as an electrician helping McClane and Jeremy Irons as the evil criminal mastermind. Sadly this film does not take place at Christmas time.
Die Hard 4 (2007) Live Free Or Die Hard 12 years after the last installment, John McClane is back in action. Someone has hacked the FBI computer data base. The FBI decides to round up the usual suspects. However, since it’s fourth of July weekend a lot of FBI agents are busy drinking bud light with lime and shooting off bottle rockets. The FBI taps local cops to help round up some hackers, enter officer John McClane. When McClane goes to pick up hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long) they come under attack, surprise! McClane spends the rest of the film trying to keep Farrell alive and hunt down the evil cyber masterminds. This one is for me anyways, the worst of the series. It just seemed to lack the magic of the original three films. Lets all agree to blame Justin Long cause I don’t like the cut of his jib to start with.
Die Hard 5 (2013) A Good Day to Die Hard takes place in Russia. McClane goes to Russia to help his goofy son out of some trouble, only to discover that his son Jack McClane (Jai Courtney) is actually a CIA agent trying to prevent a nuclear weapon from falling into the wrong hands. The McClane’s have to kill a boatload of Russian mobsters to help keep the USA safe. I have not seen this film yet as it is released on Valentines Day, but I am pretty sure we will be heading to the theater to give this film the full 3 guys treatment.
But wait there is more, did you know that the first Die Hard film is actually a film from 1968 starring The Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra? The Detective (1968) stars Sinatra as a cop investigating the murder of homosexual man. While investigating the case he uncovers corruption in the New York City Police Department. The Die Hard films were originally based on a series of novels by author Roderick Thorp. Sinatra actually had a clause in his contract for the film that stipulated he had to be offered the role in any sequels. The films producers had to offer the role of John McClane in the first Die Hard film to Sinatra despite the fact he was 73 years old at the time. How awesome would it have been if he had accepted the role.
So there we have it our special Die Hard edition of Trailer Trash Tuesday. Which of these Die Hard films is your favorite? Are you planning on checking out Die Hard 5 at the theater this weekend, what could be more romantic? Lastly, has anyone seen that 1968 film The Detective?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I have NOT seen the Detective, no. But I had heard that before, courtesy of Mark Walker’s Trivia Tuesdays…
I’ll be going to see Die Hard 5, but hopes are set on their lowest possible setting.
Fogs this could be the greatest Die Hard film yet! I have never heard of this Mark Walker cat.
Huh, didn’t know that about The Detective. You learn something new every day!
Looking forward to Die Hard 5 this Valentine’s Day. B)
Sounds like a great date movie to me.
I have recently re-watched them all and Die Hard of course is the best and tops my list. Die Hard 3 (as you named it,lol) is easily #2 and seems like a true sequel (it did have the same director of the original Die Hard). The other two I rate about the same. Although I re-watched Die Hard 4 recently with the unrated edition and liked it more then the PG-13 version I saw in theaters.
Mumbles, I might have to try and find that unrated Die Hard 4 and give that a watch at some point.
I hadn’t heard about the connection with The Detective, but I had to laugh at that trailer. Not so much the actual scenes, but the marketing as “An ADULT film”, which I guess was supposed to function as both a warning and a titillation at the same time. And I laughed out loud when it said “drug dealers, prostitutes and perverts.”
NevertooEarlyMP, that might have been the best of all the trailers, I looked in vain to find that film streaming somewhere. I may have to break down and purchase a used copy on Amazon
I am excited about the new one. going tomorrow morning
In the morning? Damn you are pumped up for some new John McClane
I’m seeing number 5 tonight at a preview! I can’t wait though I know to keep expectations low. I was the same, not much of a fan of number 4 but I loved the originals. Die Hard is the greatest action film of all time in my opinion.
Pete and one of the greatest Christmas films
Enjoy the film I am looking forward to checking it out as soon as possible.
Yippy kei yay. I just picked up the 25th anniversary bluray pack. I kinda liked the Justin Long edition even if they did neuter the phrase for a non R rating. Timothy Olyphant makes a good bad guy.
Mark, how much did that set you back, I would love to grab that box set. How are the special features with that set?
I’ve never heard of The Detective before, interesting!
Well, I just saw Die Hard 5 last nite and for now let’s just say I miss Hans Gruber!!
Ruth, Hans Gruber is like The Highlander, There can be only one !
This makes me want to go on a Die Hard marathon.
Ckckred, well if that is the case then you are welcome
Hey Adam at work or trying to make it look like doing work…. the 25Anniversary set was $45 CDN. Special features include the usual full length commentaries plus action how to, the bad guys of Die Hard, the John McClane fandom and I think a sneak peak at the new film. Check Amazon or HMV.CA as they often give all the special features low down. Cheers
I will check it out on Amazon, things that bugs me about the Amazon reviews is they don’t break them up by the films edition which is super lame.
I know that I’ve watched the Die Hards, but I can’t remember a thing about them. Terrible, I know. They kind of blur in my mind along with all the Fast & Furious and Transporter movies, lol.
Rae, I am slowly shaking my head side to side lol
Haha! I don’t mind you pretending that you don’t know me Adam. The info on The Detective is something that’s good enough to claim as your own. Its a great bit of trivia though, isn’t it?
Here is the link to Mark’s post where I think I may have subconsciously stolen his The Detective info https://mrmarakai.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/tuesdays-trivia-tidbits-18/
pretty sure I mentioned that bit of trivia to you while we were re-watching die hard over christmas… If there is one thing I love its movie trivia. Anyway, the first one of these is the only one worth watching. The rest are garbage. Was it the last one that he jumped on a moving jet? Re-donkulous.
Damn it I do remember that. Or at least I think I do, I was hitting the Christmas beer pretty good at that point. Lets say both Marks influenced this post.
You know, I had plans to see Die Hard 5. It looks like a lot of fun. But wow, people are not being friendly to it whatsoever. I can’t remember seeing so much hate for a film. Heck, Sly’s Bullet to the Head seemed to have fared better than this! Add that to the fact that the film’s been cut by the studio for UK release to get a lower rating (WTF)… I might just have to pass and wait for the DVD.
Jaina, I am in the same boat.. I was telling the fellas we should watch and review Die Hard 5 this weekend. But 11% fresh on RT? come on man! Am I really expected to pay money to watch something like that?
If only we could bring back Hans Gruber
Or perhaps he had a twin brother named Franz …. dibs on that screenplay idea Die Hard 6 Revenge of the Franz