4 out of 5

Director: Len Wiseman

Ah yes. Well: I think this was the best possible sequel that couldve happened almost twenty years after the dawning of the original. For newbies (strange as that may be): Willis plays John McClane, a rugged, seasoned NY cop who is truly your average joe – balding, divorced, no six-pack – and has yet found himself in the center of some truly insane situations. This time in the Die Hard series (this being the fourth film), terrorists have started a fire sale in Washington DC – shutting down access to all resources via computer wizardry. Can old-fashioned copper McClane save the day? Im sure you know the answer, but the charm is in getting there. For Willis, and DH devotees, this movie is the bees knees. The McClane character is nailed perfectly (his speech to Justin Long about being that guy summarizes everything perfectly) and even though it lacks some of the characters desperation from 1 + 3 (I dont really consider 2… he was too suave and happy in that one), his reactions do make sense for someone whos been in the trenches this long. My only problem with the movie – the docking of the star – is that its a bit too polished. Not as slick as 2, thankfully, and they dirty it up some, but while some action sequences have that natural disaster flair from DH1, most just seem way too convenient. And the initial sharp-shooter missing his target still bugs me. BUT THOSE GRIPES ASIDE… I left the theater so happy, and its still a satisfying cap to the series.