DIE HARD

Two words are synonymous with action movies--DIE HARD. One of the greatest action adventures of all time, DIE HARD has set the pace for what action movies have become. From mind-boggling stunts, to earth-shattering explosions, and diabolical villains, DIE HARD brings it all together in one of the most amazing action films ever made.

The basic storyline of DIE HARD is simple. In a classic three Act structure, the main character progresses from safety, to danger, to being beaten, and then finally to revenge and victory. John McClane, a New York Police Officer played by Bruce Willis, takes a journey to Los Angles to attempt to reconsile his differences with his estranged wife, Holly. But as he arrives to the office building where Holly works, German Terrorists assume control of the building. Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, is their criminal genius leader who has a masterplan to steal millions of dollars worth of negotiable bonds from the buildings vault. However, John McClane did not factor into Gruber's calculations. It is a story of struggle against supposedly unsurmountable odds, where the hero eventually becomes the victor.

Click here for a sound bite of Gruber's "genius" mind at work

Here is another one

DIE HARD's writer, Stephen E. de Souza, planned on making the villian seem to have super-intelligence, and these are examples of his intellectual power.

DIE HARD is a modern example of classical hollywood cinema. Classical Hollywood Cinema contains many of the following components:

The goal of the Film is story telling

The plot is unambigous

There is a romantic side plot

Main plot has an ultimate goal

Time usually proceeds in Chronological order

Shots are either framed on a human character in the film, or they involve a Point of View Shot

Frontality is typical

Rules of Continuity Editing are obeyed

Films are made in a big studio/industrial setting

The Film is aimed at a wide audience

DIE HARD has aspects of all of these points in varying degrees. The Following Trailer, or movie promo, can help display the Industrial aspect of the film, and of the film catagory.

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After viewing the trailer, it is clear that the suspenceful voice uses words with powerful imagery. Additionally, the clip is filled with exciting shots of explosions and other action sequences. From this, it can be deduced that the trailer is meant to excite the audience to a frenzy, where they will be compelled to view the film. No mention is made about the film's "message" (if there is one at all) so it is not aimed at a particular audience, other than the American movie-going public. This helps show that the film is aimed at a wide audience.

 

Additionlly, the film has many scenes using frontal and point of view shots. In one particular scene, the villian and hero speak to each other on a walkie talkie. When each character speaks, the film cuts to the speaker. Hans Gruber is shown in a frontal shot, with his face in the center of the frame. John McClane is more frantic and is shown with more point of view shots.

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The most distinctive aspect of the film is its elaborate action sequences. In action films, it is important to have many action scenes, without too much dialogue after the story has been set up. In this scene, John McClane is trapped on the rooftop of the 40 floor building by FBI agents and the terrorists, who are about to blow up the building's top. He attempts to escape by wrapping a fire hose around his waist and jumping off the side of the building.

Click here for this exciting action scene from the movie

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web page by Chris Benson. DIE HARD clips from foxhome.com