Live Free or Die Hard

Posted by Nathan Deen (nathan@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 29, 2007

Like an old rock band getting together for a reunion tour, Bruce Willis returns as John McClane in “Live Free or Die Hard;” only no one else from the previous three films are anywhere to be found. The first “Die Hard” took place in Los Angeles, the second took place in Washington D.C., and the third took place in New York. The settings from this franchise keep expanding. In the first it was confined to a 40-story building, the second an airport, and the third the entire city of New York. Now we’re expanding through the entire Northeast: New York, D.C. West Virginia and Baltimore. I personally prefer the simple, claustrophobic feeling of the first “Die Hard.”

“Live Free or Die Hard” mixes old-school stunts with new-school special effects. The film is getting praise for feeling old-school but you can’t tell me CGI is completely absent, especially with that ridiculous jet sequence. I found most of the film to be new-school. “Live Free or Die Hard” explores techno-terrorism and shows what could happen if the security of our country was compromised.

Like the previous three installments, “Live Free or Die Hard” is all about the money. Our villain is Thomas Gabriel who used to work for NSA. Gabriel explained to the NSA that the U.S. government system was vulnerable to technological attacks but he was ignored. To prove his point, he compromised the system with only a laptop; but instead of listening to him, the NSA humiliated him, and Gabriel disappeared until now. He sets up an authentic plan to remotely send the entire American economy into a state of Armageddon, while he has the power to steal as much money from the government as he wants, without it being traced.

Our hero’s future sidekick is Matt Farrel, one of the nation’s best computer hackers played well and humorously by Justin Long. Not knowing that he is helping domestic terrorists, Farrel creates an algorithm necessary for Gabriel to succeed with his plan. Gabriel sends assassins to kill Farrel, meanwhile the feds have found out about him and they send no other but Detective John McClane to pick him up and drive him to D.C. It’s up to McClane to protect Farrel, and stop the American economy from collapsing.

I walked into the theater with a popcorn flick mind-set and still came out a little disappointed. Compared to the other three Die Hard movies, “Live Free or Die Hard,” in my eyes, is clearly the weakest of the bunch. Bruce Willis gives a solid performance as McClane and recaptures the ideal image of an action hero. Unfortunately, we don’t really get a chance to have a cup of coffee with McClane and catch up with him. His character is pretty much the same as where we left him in “Die Hard With a Vengeance.” He’s still divorced and still presumably washed up. We do get to meet his daughter, Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who later becomes involved in the plot.

Timothy Olyphant is a miscast here as Gabriel, especially when comparing him to the villains played by Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons. I think Olyphant is one of the most underrated actors working today and I loved him in movies like “The Girl Next Door” and “Catch and Release.” He should stick to comedy but that doesn’t seem like the case as he will be starring in the upcoming “Hitman.” Justin Long is a worthy sidekick as Farrel, who measures up to the likes of Samuel L. Jackson by throwing in many clever and funny lines.

Director Len Wiseman (“Underworld”) said he made “Live Free or Die Hard” for the fans and he seems to be trying too hard to top the other three films. I understand that he wants to avoid that been there done that feeling, but with several ridiculous and campy action sequences, he goes to far. You can wow us with action scenes while still being within the realm of reality.

When you look at the franchise as a whole, one thing is true: each movie is more preposterous than the previous one. Each sequel also gets further and further away from the characteristics that made the first one so good. “Live Free or Die Hard” trims down on the language and gets even more further away with a PG-13 rating. That alone doesn’t make it feel like a “Die Hard” film.

“Live Free or Die Hard” is a popcorn flick to be sure. My critic side says to tear this movie apart while my fanboy side says let it go. Both make good arguments. The storyline is very fast-paced and never drags so it’s not hard to make it through the 130 minute running time. My final judgment: Although “Live Free or Die Hard” is an entertaining summer flick, the ridiculous actions sequences make it an over-cooked turkey.

Read more articles by Nathan Deen