Ask anyone to name their top 5 action films of all time and the original Die Hard is probally 1 or 2, at least it is on my list. The character of John McClane is an iconic role that only Bruce Willis could play. And now 3 Sequels and nearly 20 years later John McClane is back, kicking ass and taking names. And while This Disc dosent hit store shelves until November 20th we have an advanced review for your enjoyment.
Twelve years after Die Hard with a Vengeance, the third and previous film in the Die Hard franchise, Live Free or Die Hard finds John McClane (Bruce Willis) a few years older, not any happier, and just as kick-ass as ever. Right after he has a fight with his college-age daughter (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a call comes in to pick up a hacker (Justin Long, a.k.a. the “Mac Guy”) who might help the FBI learn something about a brief security blip in their systems. Now any Die Hard fan knows that this is when the assassins with foreign accents and high-powered weaponry show up, telling McClane that once again he’s stumbled into an assignment that’s anything but routine. Once that wreckage has cleared, it is revealed that the hacker is only one of many hackers who are being targeted for extermination after they helped set up a “fire sale,” a three-pronged cyberattack designed to bring down the entire country by crippling its transportation, finances, and utilities. That plan is now being put into action by a mysterious team (Timothy Olyphant, Deadwood; and Maggie Q, Mission: Impossible 3) that seems to be operating under the government’s noses. Originally released with a PG-13 rating with most of the profanity and after-effects of violence (blood, gunshot wounds) edited out. But, this DVD release gives viewers the chance to view the film how it was meant to be seen, a non watered-down version a Die Hard film. Live Free or Die Hard while is a little over-the-top at times actually holds its own the the rest of the series!
Available in 4 different versions: a Sinlge-Disc Rated Edition, a Single-Disc Unrated Edition, a 2-Disc Unrated Special Edition (What we will be reviewing) and a Rated Blu-Ray Disc release (Why just the rated version is beyond me?), so be sure when it’s released to purchase the one thats right for you. As far as the features go there is plenty here to enjoy:
Disc 1
• Audio Commentary with Director Len Weisman, Actor Bruce Willis, and Editor Nicolas De Toth
Disc 2
• Analog Hero in a Digital World: Making of Live Free or Die Hard - In Depth Documentary clocking in at over an Hour and a Half.
• Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother F*****! - One-on-One Conversation with Bruce Willis & Kevin Smith
• Fox Movie Channel Presents Fox Legacy
• “Die Hard” music video by Guyz Nite
• Behind-the-Scenes with Guyz Nite
• Teaser Trailer
• Theatrical Trailer
The Documentary is worth the price of the release alone, as it goes in depth into the production of the film, as well as the overall impact the first Die Hard film has had on the action genre in general!
- Rating: 5 out of 5
Presented in its original 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio, the anamorphic transfer is great for a standard definition release. Colors are balanced and there is no evidence of compression artifacts or edge enhancement, which im sure will look even better on its HD counter-part. Audio wise we get a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track (and while in the Press Release a DTS track is listed my review copy did not have one, so thats up in the air). The Dolby Digital track does a great job in replicating the surround effects: bullets wiz past, and explosions roar like they should!
- Rating: 5 out of 5
Bruce Willis has not missed a step, even with a 12 year layoff since the Die Hard: With a Vengence John McClane is still kicking ass and taking names later. This Analog Hero is still proving that it pays to be old school!
- Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Film and Features: 5
Technical Specs: 5
Overall Review: 5
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action/Thriller
Aspect: 2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital (dts possible)
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