Is Die Hard (1988) overrated?

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01-27-20

I try to judge movies in the context of when they were shown. I remember how I felt when I left the theater.

At the time it was shown, I don't think I had ever seen such an action movie before. Really a lot of fun, and I remember having that "wow" feeling walking out of the theater to our car.

Just as when I saw Terminator 2. That wow feeling.

And with Avatar. And jumping way back, with Star Wars.

And yet, with every one of these films, I see people looking back at it with a critical eye. I'm not saying that the OP is doing this, but I'm just saying that it seems to happen more and more and more.

Why is this?

The measure of a movie DOES. NOT. EXIST. outside of the time period in which it is made. The original context is everything.

People seem to forget just how powerful the magic was at the time. I'll never forget seeing Die Hard (the first one), and how I told everyone to see it.

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ironpony

Movie Forums Squirrel Jumper

01-27-20

Oh sorry, was I judging the movie out of it's original context? How was I doing that exactly?

guidingweb

Movie Addict but only Bollywood

01-28-20

i don't think die hard is overrated. starting to ending everything is amazing. how can i forget this hard working man

tgm1024

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01-28-20

Originally Posted by ironpony

Oh sorry, was I judging the movie out of it's original context? How was I doing that exactly?

Did you read the part where I said "I'm not saying that the OP is doing this", or did you just gloss over that to the reply button?

Sedai

A system of cells interlinked

01-28-20

Originally Posted by Taz

If anyone has netflix would highly recommend the series, 'The Films That Made Us'.

One of the episodes is dedicated the Die Hard and well worth the watch.

I watched all the episodes fairly recently. I will second this recommendation.

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01-28-20

Originally Posted by tgm1024

I'd say people look back with a critical eye because a better way to measure a film's worth (especially if it is considered a great or even classic film) is to assess how it endures the passage of time. Die Hard maintains its classic status precisely because it endures in the face of films that try to copy it or sequels that tarnish its name, but even then it's not a perfect film (there's no such thing) and it is not exempt from criticism. Not all of us were old enough (or even alive) to see Die Hard during its original theatrical run, but that doesn't mean we aren't capable of appreciating it anyway - just don't be surprised that people of all ages don't consider "you had to be there" to be the best defence for a film.

If anything, the real problem is how the term "overrated" centres the discourse around how the film is received by viewers than about the quality of the film itself and that just tends to complicate the discussion unnecessarily.

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ironpony

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01-28-20

Originally Posted by tgm1024

Did you read the part where I said "I'm not saying that the OP is doing this", or did you just gloss over that to the reply button?

Oh sorry, I misread it, my mistake.

I'd say people look back with a critical eye because a better way to measure a film's worth (especially if it is considered a great or even classic film) is to assess how it endures the passage of time. Die Hard maintains its classic status precisely because it endures in the face of films that try to copy it or sequels that tarnish its name, but even then it's not a perfect film (there's no such thing) and it is not exempt from criticism. Not all of us were old enough (or even alive) to see Die Hard during its original theatrical run, but that doesn't mean we aren't capable of appreciating it anyway - just don't be surprised that people of all ages don't consider "you had to be there" to be the best defence for a film.

If anything, the real problem is how the term "overrated" centres the discourse around how the film is received by viewers than about the quality of the film itself and that just tends to complicate the discussion unnecessarily.

Yeah I see what you mean. I guess watching it now, it feels like it's in more of an infancy compared to some of the movies that borrowed from it later perhaps? Not all of them, just some.

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01-28-20

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John-Connor

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11-28-23

Re-releases in theaters December 8.

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mattiasflgrtll6

The truth is in here

11-28-23

In my opinion, not really. It's not my absolute favorite action film, but it's not hard to see why it's held in such high esteem. John McClane is one of the best and most likable protagonists of all time (Not just in the genre he belongs to), and Bruce Willis helped bring that charisma to life. It's witty, exciting and also contains a fantastic villain played with cheeky intimidation by Alan Rickman.

I will say however that due to its untouchable status, Die Hard 2 often gets underrated. More of the same doesn't always have to be bad, and it's my second favorite next to the original. All of them are worth watching except for the last, which was a lifeless and groanworthy note to end the franchise on.

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Gideon58

Registered User

11-28-23

No, it is not overrated. When I did my list of favorite action films, Die Hard clocked in at #1.

matt72582

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11-28-23

I'm an insomniac, but when I tried watching this movie a few years ago, I was dozing off after 20 minutes... But I haven't tried to watch it again.

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John W Constantine

Alias: John Utah

11-28-23

Are seasonal confused films overrated?

Corax

Registered User

11-28-23

Originally Posted by John W Constantine

Are seasonal confused films overrated?

That's like saying randomly saying "Beetlejuice." Two more times and we're in a genre debate.

SuperMetro

Registered User

11-30-23

No it is not overrated. You either like it or you dont. It is only overrated in the context of how your brain put the movie.
I thought that Dr. Strangelove was overrated when I watched it, but I now wonder how it would be if I gave it another shot.

Corax

Registered User

11-30-23

We're going to lose half the people who think Die Hard is overrated in the explosion.

I can live with that.

Brody At Amity

That's some bad hat, Harry.

12-17-23

Is Die Hard overrated? No

Is it an action classic? Yes.

AND... is it a Christmas movie? YES!

Totally appreciate the opinion of those who don't like it. I get that it doesn't work for you. But I've always found it to be a pedal to the metal high concept action movie with one of the most memorable 1980s villains (and performances from Rickman) and a charismatic hero overcoming an against-all-odds situation. It has a great wit about it too - both in its characters, dialogue and action sequences.

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stillmellow

Basic Non-B

12-17-23

It's not overrated.

Die Hard is an incredibly sleek and well crafted action movie. I doubt you could make it better by adding or removing any scene.

What the movie introduced to violent action movies (which is now a staple) is constant comedy. Our heroes and villains in Die Hard are hilarious, relatable, and wickedly entertaining.

If there's any room for criticism it's that

1. John McClaine and his wife have absolutely zero chemistry together. All I can see in the very few scenes they have together is why their marriage has fallen apart.

2. Although not a fault at the time it was made, the hot-shot cowboy cop, taking ridiculous risks and oozing one liners, has not aged as well as many of the other heroes of yesteryear.

Just my opinion.

doubledenim