3 out of 5

Director: Renny Harlin

Die Hard 2 was my introduction to the series as well as these type of profanity-slingin R-rated actioners. Upon first viewing it made an absolute impact, but is a far cry from the first and the most hackneyed, sequelish entry of the series. Die Hard 2 plays all of the sequel cards: John McClane picks up where he left off from movie one, having reconciled with his wife and trying to be a cop in LA… While the title and opening shot do a good job of mimicking the widescreen shot / everyday feeling of the first few moments of DH 1, within Willis first conversation with another character we know were in sequel town: he gives us a complete recap of his life, his marriage, and why hes in DC (visiting wifeys parents, waiting for her flight to come in to join him). While director Renny Harlin allows for McClanes presence to come through, the movie is otherwise almost a completely predictable terrorists take over the airport but couldnt account for one lone cop movie, filled with slo-mo explosions and obvious music stings. While movie 1 feels like a MOVIE, movie 2 is dated, and wouldnt be out of place now as a TV film. It has some exciting sequences, but too many over-dubbed one liners and hey remember the first movie? moments to really shine. A classic by default, buoyed by the McClane character and some imaginative moments, but otherwise nothing-new action.