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Live Free or Die Hard

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but Live Free or Die Hard, which for those of you who have been counting, is the fourth incarnation of rough and tough, balls to the wall New York City Detective John McClane saving the world from evil terrorists bent on world domination, is the BEST movie of the summer. No, seriously. It's the epitome of perfect action popcorn summer fare.

Transformers just plain sucked, Fantastic Four 2 was luke warm at best, Spider Man 3 was comical (no pun intended) and Pirates, well, who the hell had four free hours to find out? Live Free or Die Hard delivers on every level. It's completely respectful of the source material, which most films now-a-days aren't (Transformers anyone?), while at the same time it's completely updated and modernized so as not to seem antiquated in any way shape or form.

This time around the dastardly terror plot is formed, not by someone from some third world struggling country, but from a disgruntled government employee right here in the United States. Creepily sexy Timothy Olyphant plays Thomas Gabriel a former member of the NSA who, after being dismissed by his superiors, decides to show them just how vulnerable the countries computer infrastructure really is by sabotaging it and making off with billions!

Unfortunately for him and his merry band of outlaws including the ass-kicking Maggie Q as his brilliant and beautiful girlfriend Mai Lihn, Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is assigned to escort Matt Farrell (Justin Long), a computer hacker believed to be involved in some way, down to NSA headquarters. As they try to assassinate Farrell, McClane is thrown into the heart of the conflict and ultimately must be the one to bring them down.

Ironically, by not using a ton of CG FX in this action packed thrill ride, the director, Len Wisman (Underworld, Underworld: Evolution), manages to rejuvenate a once dying genre and art form. Yes, art form. The excitement of watching a car flying through the air and slamming into a helicopter is a million times greater when you know it's actually happening. Enough with the computer generated effects. Getting back to the old school Dukes of Hazzard style stunts is the only way to make a film like this; and luckily Len knew that.

Now, it's not all action that keeps this film moving; The story is interesting and compelling without being overly complicated or convoluted and the cast is just perfect! The now 52 Bruce Willis has not lost a single step in the world of indestructible tough guys.

I went into the film just as nervous as everyone else that he'd look absolutely ridiculous in the middle of all of these impossible stunts but never once through the movie did I think to myself, 'He is way too old to be doing that!' He can still kick crazy amounts of ass!

I've been a huge fan of Justin Long's ever since his initial turn as uber geek Brandon in the satirical sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest and then was even more impressed when he played the far cooler and tougher Dary in the horror thriller Jeepers Creepers. He has that perfect blend of boyish charm and vulnerabilty matched with a powerful sarcastic wit that makes him more than a match for the tough as nails McClane.

My only complaint if I have to have one about the film is that the final show down scene isn't as huge as I was expecting it to be. Don't get me wrong, it was still a satisfying ending but the build up to it was so huge, and so mind blowing that it felt as though they had lost a little steam by the time they reached the end. That, and some bad editing on a few of the scenes that led to some bad, bad dubbing on Justin are really the only things I can find fault with on this film.

In a summer filled with filmmakers who just don't care about having respect for the past or the franchises that are paying their bills and buying their homes in the Hollywood hills, Live Free or Die Hard is a shinning beacon of light that proves that being thoughtful and respectful of source material does lead to amazing films that please both the 'fans' and also the highly sought after 'cross over audience.'

If you're up for a great, great action film and you can only see one, this is the one to see!

Movie Grade: A-

Synopsis:

An attack on the vulnerable United States computer infrastructure begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the shattering scheme has figured out every digital angle – but he never figured an old-fashioned, “analog” fly-in-the-ointment: John McClane.