High-tech cartoonish action thriller.
Die Hard (1988)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:50
Fresh:47
Rotten:3
Average Rating:8.2/10
Consensus: Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic.
Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: One of the greatest action movies of the late 1980s, DIE HARD ushered in a new standard for the genre. With the dissolution of the Cold War, both the stereotypical Russian threat (represented in... One of the greatest action movies of the late 1980s, DIE HARD ushered in a new standard for the genre. With the dissolution of the Cold War, both the stereotypical Russian threat (represented in movies such as TOP GUN and RED DAWN) and the destructive egoist (as seen in OCTOPUSSY) became less fearful. With DIE HARD, director John McTiernan introduced Hollywood to a new type of villain: the terrorist entrepreneur. Alan Rickman stars as Hans Gruber, a relentless businessman whose lethal tactics achieve his goals. Unlike most '80s film villains who committed globally dangerous acts for liberty, genocide, or megalomania, DIE HARD's Gruber uses guns, explosives, and cunning to storm the Takagi Corporation's Christmas party and heist millions of dollars from the company. In addition, DIE HARD also saw the development of the clumsy or bad luck hero with John McClane (Bruce Willis), a man in the wrong place at the wrong time who chooses to intervene. Action fans would see this misfit hero archetype again in UNDER SIEGE (Steven Segal) and THE PHANTOM MENACE (Jar Jar Binks). Although DIE HARD contains many action movie cliches (one-liners, pyrotechnics), it also broke new ground in its genre. [More]
Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov
Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, Robert Davi, Mary Ellen Trainor, De'voreaux White, Hart Bochner, Clarence Gilyard
Director: John McTiernan
Director: John McTiernan
Screenwriter: Jeb Stuart, Steven E. De Souza
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver
Composer: Michael Kamen
Get This Movie
Reviews for Die Hard
In the first half of Director John McTiernan's movie, Willis wears an undershirt. In the second half he gets rid of it. And that's pretty much it for his performance.
Die Hard is as high tech, rock hard and souped up as an action film can be.
A serviceable if rather overextended and overblown adventure thriller.
...remains one of the most entertaining and flat-out thrilling examples of the action genre...
Great escapist action, but it's still nothing more than an action movie %u2013 cinema's version of a nice, tasty hamburger.
The pumped-up, high tech surprise hit of 1988; a triumph of slick direction and lowbrow thrills, marred but not spoiled by a sour aftertaste.
A seminal action film that created an entire subgenre. Super action, but the key to its success is how it effectively pits Willis' common-man hero against Rickman's haughty arch-villain.
Every so often a movie comes along whose concept sparks a flood of imitators. Die Hard is such a movie.
'A landmark film that breathed life and originality into an area of cinema where only formulas were proven reliable.'
Latest News for Die Hard
March 06, 2008:
Kim Newman on... Morituri
RT Obscura, the exclusive column by renowned critic Kim Newman, sees the writer plumbing the depths of the RT archive in search of some forgotten gems. In his 13th column, Kim... More...
January 14, 2008:
John Singleton Promises Classic '80s "Man's Movie" Action for The A-Team
Maybe Ice Cube had better hold off a bit on getting that mohawk for The A-Team. Woody Harrelson, though? He's got a part ready for the taking. More...
December 21, 2007:
RT Presents 12 Days of Christmas Movies
Hoping everyone is having a white Christmas, we bring warmth and good-movie-viewing to you with this list of 12 top-rated Christmas movies. See who tops out at #1, it will... More...
December 14, 2007:
John McTiernan, Gerard Butler to Direct, Star in New Conan Movie?
He's already proven he can rock a loincloth as convincingly as anyone since Marc Singer in Beastmaster -- so will Gerard Butler put that talent to use in the new Conan movie? More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 77% 77% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 82% 82% | Paranormal Activity |
| 57% 57% | 9 |
| 44% 44% | Jennifer's Body |
| 58% 58% | A Perfect Getaway |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



