Get ready for today’s…Blast from the Past!
From John McTiernan, the director of “Predator” (1987), “Medicine Man” (1992), and others, comes this action-thriller classic…
Hans Gruber: “Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?”
John McClane: “Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*****.” (Pardon my language for the last quote).
Although the film released earlier on the 12th of July at Los Angeles, “Die Hard” released on this day July 15th 1988, making the film 30 years old as of today.
Based on Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel “Nothing Lasts Forever”, and what is often regarded as one of the greatest action and Christmas-themed films ever made, the plot follows John McClane (Golden Globe winner Bruce Willis) a NYPD cop who tries to save his wife and other hostages from the suave yet dangerous German terrorist Hans Gruber (played superbly by the late Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman), who has taken over the massive Nakatomi Plaza building, and its guests during a Christmas party in Los Angeles.
Fun fact; the film earned 4 Oscar nominations for Best Sound (Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, and Al Overton Jr.), Best Film Editing (Frank J. Urioste, and John F. Link), Best Sound Effects (Stephen Hunter Flick, and Richard Shorr), and Best Visual Effects (Richard Edlund, Al Di Sarro, Brent Boates, and Thaine Morris).
Also, this is Rickman’s film debut, as well as the fact that it turned Willis into an action star, and the motion picture was such a success, that it has earned a place in the AFI (American Film Institute)’s following lists; #39 on the 100 Years…100 Thrills, and Hans Gruber as #46 on the 100 Years…100 Heroes and Villains list.And, in 2017, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Some of the film’s highlights include the entertaining story, which is also seen as a formula for many action films to come, such as “Speed” (1994), cast, performances especially Willis and Rickman, sound effects, and action sequences, one of the particular scenes might not be appealing for those who have epilepsy, just a warning.
If you are looking for an action-packed thrill ride of a flick, then this is for you, or for anyone you know, who likes the aforementioned aspects.Recommended to fans of the action genre as well as 80s films.
Poster design and artwork: Unknown.