Studio: 20th Century Fox (90 mins)
Plot: John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, against underworld forces.
Cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Yuliya Snigis, Radivoje Bukvic, Amaury Noladco, Cole Hauser
Rating: R
Bottom Line: **
Sorry “Die Hard” fans, there’s not much to “Yippee Ki-Yay” about. Bruce Willis reprises his role as terrorist magnet Detective John McClane, in a 90 minute CGI laden film that probably should have gone straight to cable or DVD.
After having destroyed most of North America in his previous four outings, McClane takes his shtick to Moscow where his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney) is on trial for espionage. When Jack arrives in the Russian courthouse the audience can faithfully begin their silent countdown – “three..two..one.” All hell breaks loose. For the next hour and a half, there’s a continuous clatter of gunfire, choppers, fireballs and car crashes – most of which are digital.
In all fairness, the film does have several excellent baddies, who are busy double-crossing one another when they’re not trying to kill McClane and Jack. And there are a few tense moments underline by McClane’s signature oneliners.
The film reaches its climax at Chernobyl where McClane and Jack manage a second meltdown.
“A Good Day To Die Hard” pales in comparison to the original that took audiences by surprise 1988 and the terrific follow up “Die Hard 2: Die Harder.” Fans who are stoked about seeing this fifth installment should be a little leery. This is the time of year when Hollywood dumps many of its films they don’t have faith in to compete with the Summer and Fall releases. But don’t worry if you miss this one. There will undoubtedly be others.
Source: Blackflix.com
This was printed in the February 24, 2013 – March 9, 2013 Edition
