Since I watched it yesterday and my memory is still vivid, here are some reasons why
Die Hard is an awesome action film:
- It introduced a new archetype to the action movie genre: a vulnerable, ordinary hero with realistic proportions who overcame adversity through his wit and self-deprecating humor.
- Features a memorable villain who is not only charismatic, but is also capable enough to outsmart our hero, which leads to an extremely nail-biting scene in the film's second half.
- McTiernan's direction. You usually don't notice good directing in an action movie, but it's clear how skilled McTiernan is in establishing scenes and piecing together shots that create coherence, not disarray. Despite a lot going on in this film, I'm never lost.
- Fast, efficient exposition. Within 10 minutes, we know everything we need to know about our hero, John McClane –– why he's here, who he is, and what matters to him most.
- A supporting cast that serves a purpose rather than to stand around and serve as backdrops for the ongoing action. Everyone has his/her defining moment, from the empathetic but firm officer Powell to the wise-crackin' limo driver Argyle. It's not easy to balance these many characters and their respective arcs, and yet, Die Hard executes them flawlessly. You could say the conclusion to Powell's redemption arc is a bit unnecessary, but by that point I was so enamored I really didn't care. Absolute classic. Also, Merry Christmas MoFo!