All apologies to Bruce Willis for what I’m about to write. Despite his firm stance on the matter, I can’t help but classify Die Hard as a Christmas movie. It takes place at a company holiday party, features festive music, and has Bruce Willis himself whistling “Jingle Bells” in the opening act. The end credits roll to “Let it Snow”, bookending the film in festive music. That checks all the boxes I need to justify putting on this classic action-thriller during the season.
It’s Christmas Eve, 1988. Bruce Willis plays John McClane, a straight-laced New York cop who takes an uncomfortable flight to California to see his estranged wife, Holly. As an independent business woman, employed by a lucrative, multinational, company… She now goes by her maiden name. Their relationship is rocky, at best, and coming together at the company Christmas party is their attempt at making amends, potentially reuniting their family just in time to celebrate with their kids.
Unfortunately for John, things aren’t smooth sailing upon his arrival at Holly’s company. A quick fight in her office leaves him alone, where he tries to calm himself using the advice a fellow passenger gave him on his flight. He removes his shoes and his socks, before “making fists” with his feet on the carpet to try to calm down. Enter Alan Rickman, playing one of the best antagonistic roles of his entire career, Hans Gruber.
Alan Rickman plays his role with a charismatic, and oddly endearing, nature. Make no mistake though, as the story progresses Rickman’s character becomes less charming and far more foreboding. Bringing elegance and brains to a role that usually has anger and monologs in less well-crafted cinematic stories. Rickman is the Ying to Bruce Willis’ Yang. Where John McClane is a man of few words and less class, Hans is well spoken and even better dressed.
Hans and his loyal crew of henchmen have crashed the company party, and gained total control of the building Nakatomi Plaza. Now, with Holly and her peers taken hostage, it’s up to a barefoot John McClane to do everything he can to save far more than his marriage. Forced into a night of sneaking around, taking out hired goons, and trying over and over again to get outside help, John endures one of his most memorable Christmases of his entire career.
The film isn’t all doom-and-gloom, with plenty of humor spread throughout. One-liners are delivered without feeling obligatory or tone-deaf, while the score captures the mood of every scene. With Reginald VelJohnson appearing as a supporting police sergeant, adding a dash of Family Matters familiarity as a feel-good bonus. Sergeant Al Powell and limo driver, Argyle, are McClane’s off-site allies. Incapable of directly helping, but pulling what strings they can from the sidelines, both prove to be indispensable assets for John during his unfortunate evening.
Die Hard doesn’t overstay its welcome. It introduces you to its plot, and thrusts you straight into the action. It carries you from moment to moment, and makes sure every detail pays off. Every character is an individual in their own right. Charming, or deplorable, accordingly.
The film itself is fairly self-aware. Name dropping the likes of Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and Roy Rogers. It never crosses over into absurdity though. Director John McTiernan beautifully orchestrated this on-screen adaptation of Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel, Nothing Lasts Forever, resulting in one of the most brilliantly balanced action-thrillers to come out of the 80’s. It’s no wonder as to why this movie spawned an entire franchise.
Die Hard stands proud as one the all time greats, with no lack of explosions, bullets, and bravado. Bruce Willis delivers one of the most defining roles of his entire career, selling the feeling of a burnt out man just trying his best against unwavering odds. Unlike modern action stars who walk out of their adventure seemingly unscathed, John McClane limps his way to victory.
If you’re looking for a break from the likes of Elf or Rudolph, be sure to add Die Hard to your annual Christmas film rotation. And if anyone tries to tell you it isn’t a holiday film, remember to point to the dead henchman adorned with the only on-screen evidence you’ll need. A message from John McClane to Hans and his crew:
Now I have a machine gun. Ho-Ho-Ho.