Writer: Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson (Screenplay) Walter Wager (Novel’58 Minutes’)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson, France Nero, William Sadler, John Amos, Dennis Franz
Plot: When Officer John McClane (Willis) goes to the airport to pick up his wife Holly (Bedelia) the airport is all under reporter siege due to General Esperanza (Nero) being bought in on Christmas week. When Colonel Stuart (Sadler) takes over the airport to get Esperanza free, John must investigate to uncover the truth building up a body count along the way when no one else will, John becomes a one man army against an army to save the planes in the air including the one with his wife on.
Verdict: Just when he thought he couldn’t have a worse day
Story: It would be fair to say this is very similar to the original to the point where John has to take on the terrorist solo. It uses a much bigger setting and has a bigger reason behind the crime being committed. John has to go against all the bad guys while going against the good guys who don’t put up a fight. This really is just a sit back an enjoy classic action film. (8/10)
Actor Reviews
Bruce Willis: John McClane does what he does best kills bad guys, throws out one liners and survives impossible odds. Bruce shines as the wise cracking cop who saves the day. (9/10)
Bonnie Bedelia: Holly McClane, John’s wife who is stuck on one of the planes with the reporter she knocked out last time they met. Good performance in what is more of a waiting role rather than fully captured like Die Hard. (7/10)
Franco Nero: General Esperanza the man they are all trying to free. Is mainly the target and doesn’t get too much time to do anything. (5/10)
William Sadler: Colonel Stuart the man with the plan that gets executed perfectly until John gets involved and he has to start thinking outside the box. Great villain role proving he is cold and willing to kill for fun. (9/10)
John Amos: Major Grant part of the army team coming in to help but it is clear he has an alternative motive. Good performance in a role with a twist.(8/10)
Director Review: Renny Harlin – good direction creating plenty of action throughout. (8/10)
Action: Great action sequences, explosions and gun fights throughout. (9/10)
Thriller: This puts you on the edge of your seat while you wait to see what happens. (9/10)
Settings: Creating the film around an airport creates extra panic. (10/10)
Special Effects: Great effects for the explosion but with some week effects to cover up a clearly dummy for a death scene. (7/10)
Suggestion: This is one sequel that doesn’t live up to the original that is still one to watch as it is one of the films that is just simple action to enjoy watching. (Watch)
Best Part: John gets trapped in a cockpit.
Worst Part: Not as good as the first one.
Action Scene Of The Film: Final battle.
Kill Of The Film: The final one
Believability: Terrorism is happening all the time so this could happen but not to the same level. (4/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Has three more sequels
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $240,031,094
Budget: $70 million
Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Tagline: They say lightning never strikes twice… They were wrong.
Trivia:Bruce Willis least favorite of the Die Hard series.
Overall: Great Action
Rating