Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: B

All action movie fans know that the first “Die Hard” movie is the best action film ever made, hands down. Bruce Willis defined the genre with his performance as the surly macho New York cop John McClane. The “Die Hard” franchise is noted for including humor as a complement to the action and dramatic elements of the story.

I am glad to say that many years later the formula still works. The action in “Die Hard 4″ keeps you immersed into the absurd storyline as you wait patiently to hear Willis say the line we all have come to love so much, “Yippee ki yay, motherfucker”! I am here to say that it was well worth the wait.

The story for “Live Free or Die hard” follows a criminal plot targeting the nation’s computer infrastructure which threatens the technological foundations of the U.S. economy. The villain in “Die Hard 4″ is played by the super sexy Timothy Olyphant (”Go” and “Hitman”).

The far fetched “fire sale” story line centers on Olyphant’s character crippling the U.S.’s media outlets, banking institutions, public utilities and emergency resources to create chaos. It is up to to super cop John McClane to save the day in some of the best filmed action sequences since “The Bourne Ultimatum”.

While saving the day McClane must ensure the safety of a computer hacker played by Justin Long (”Jeepers Creepers” and “Dodgeball”) who is the only person able to stop the country from completely spinning out of control. Long and Willis have some great comedic banter and Willis’s tough as nails portrayal of McClane has never been so hilarious. Director Len Wisemen films the action and funny dialog with fine tuned precision.

I am hoping that this will be the last of the “Die Hard” films only because each movie up until now has been fun and exciting. I would hate for the franchise to ruin it’s reputation by putting out another film that isn’t up to par.

It is obvious by looking at him that time has taken it’s toll on Willis, but his wry sense of acting and comedic timing were able to make “Live Free or Die Hard” enjoyable. This is a great way to say goodbye to a much beloved action character who had a great run.