Die Hard 4.0 DVD Review

"Die Hard 4.0" reviews

DVD

Die Hard 4.0

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2007-10-26 14:50:33

Provider

DVD Review

While the Die Hard trilogy remains a landmark of its time, demand for a fourth instalment wasn't really at boiling point when Bruce Willis announced he'd reprise his role as John McClane one more time. Still working humdrum cop jobs (despite saving LA, New York and the American government - some people just don't the meaning of gratitude!), McClane leaps back into action when a routine arrest of computer hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long) turns into a major shoot-out. Geeks have got guns? Well actually, it's the major web-based terrorist conspiracy that packs the artillery.

McClane moves a little slower and doesn't don the white vest, but can still foil a bunch of international bad guys with more gusto and better pay off lines than anyone this side of James Bond. Die Hard 4.0 may be the weakest of the franchise - blander villains, too many weak exchanges - but it still outdoes the majority of the rest of the field. There are some magnificent action sequences and a cameo from Clerks director and self-confessed Die Hard addict, Kevin Smith. He's suitably cast as Star Wars nerd and computer wizard extraordinaire, Warlock, who still lives with his mom. Bruce stays very much the star of the show. And nobody pulls off those cheesy one-liners or does overcoming pain with more aplomb - most effectively evident in his major butt-kicking scrap with Maggie Q's villain, Mai Lihn.

The double-disc Special Edition is packed with great extras: Commentary by Bruce Willis, Director Len Wiseman and Editor Nicolas De Toth; a Music Video - “Die Hard” plus Behind-the-Scenes. The featurette Analog Hero in a Digital World: Making of Live Free or Die Hard (the film's US title); Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother ******! - One-on-One Conversation with Bruce Willis & Kevin Smith (23 minutes) and many more.