Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard (DVD, 2007, 2-Disc Set, Unrated)

"Live Free or Die Hard" is the viscerally adrenaline-charged action-fueled new installment of the "Die Hard Saga".
"A Timex Watch in a Digital Age," sneers Villain Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) of NYPD Cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) in 'Live Free or Die Hard', the exhilarating fourth installment in the "Die Hard" Series.
The first since 1995's 'Die Hard: With a Vengeance'. Willis was 40yrs old then; past 50yrs old now, the only thing he has lost is the rest of his hair. And Gabriel is right, McClane is a relic from an Analog World; yet he also forgets the Timex slogan: "It takes a licking but keeps on ticking", and so—gloriously—does McClane.
McClane remains the resolutely retro flatfoot Warrior, but Mark Bomback's screenplay reflects our Post 9/11, Post-Katrina Age where official response in a genuine crisis is assumed to be incompetent and paranoia is a reasonable emotion.
It is not that FBI Deputy Director Bowman (Cliff Curtis) and his men are incapable of doing their jobs, but when an anthrax scare, a transportation meltdown, and stock market crisis occur simultaneously, they are overwhelmed. Luckily, McClane just happens to be on the way, escorting hacking suspect Matt Farrell (Justin Long) to Washington. He already knows something's up, because somebody's trying hard to kill the kid. Matt himself turns out to be useful when he is able to diagnose the crisis as a "Fire Sale," a kind of virtual Armageddon where cyber vandals attack transportation, financial systems, and utilities.
Olyphant as the spurned Former Fed turned Terrorist who nurses an operatic dream of revenge holds the panache of such memorable 'Die Hard' bad boys as Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons.
Willis' return to the character is certainly a welcome one. This is a role he was born to play, the acerbic working stiff who freely admits fear to Matt while never blinking once the guns start blazing or stuff starts blowing up around him. He is also a throwback to the "Classic Lone Hero"; a Gary Cooper or John Wayne for the Modern Era, possessing the same sense of decency but with snappier banter.
As appealing as the characters are, it's 'Action' that propels the 'Die Hard' Movies and Director Len Wiseman does not skimp at all in that department. From the explosive opening minutes straight through to the climax, there is little pause between the gun battles, chase scenes, car crashes, and explosions. There are more pyrotechnics in this movie than in the average Fourth of July fireworks display and while there are impressive instances of CGI—including one setup involving a jet, a big rig, and an elevated roadway — many of the more arresting sequences involve old-fashioned stunt work.
There is a welcome human element to this adventure that is missing from so many other action movies now where you are always aware that what we are watching is an actor in front of a green screen. Here, McClane takes a long fall to the pavement, the meeting between body and ground is so visceral that you wince. When he bleeds, you believe it.
Sequels can be such a crap shoot. This summer's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" was a demonstrated success, while "Evan Almighty" was a massive flop. But Willis, in gambling that he could successfully revisit the character that made him a True Hero rolls "All Sevens".
This is action at its most entertaining and proof that there is a lot of life left in this franchise.
"Live Free Die Hard" is a 150% SUCCESS !!!!
Long Live McClane !

This was so much better than the other two Die Hard sequels. My favorite character was Matthew Farrell, the adorable, scatter-brained genius of a hacker who helps John in this movie. Justin Long, the actor who plays Matt, brought a whole new level to these movies, constantly complaining and spouting off his own theories about what's going on around them. Bruce Willis as John was perfect in this, his sarcastic humor and kick-ass wit making me roll around in hilarity throughout the whole film. Overall, the chemistry between those two made the movie for me.

The only real problem I had with the movie was the slight difference in lines between the unrated and the rated version. When John blows up the helicopter with the police car in the PG-13 version, Matt says, "You just killed a helicopter with a car!" to which John replies, "I ran out of bullets." John's line in the unrated version is different, which made me a little upset because that was one of my favorite lines, but other than that, the movie was amazing! I would (and have!) recommend this to all of my friends!

John McClane again returns to action-and this DVD is full of adventure and
action. McClane gets shot, blown-up, falls into elevator shafts and gets into
a kung fu fight with the best looking kung fu master around in this film--and
thats not to mention a F-35 trying to destroy him by turning an 18-wheeler he
is driving into swiss cheese. There is plenty of action here to be sure for
the adventure/action film lover. Plot is based on a computer terrorist trying
to destroy the US Government (or at least steal all the money from the Govt).
A very entertaining movie and will keep you in suspense-even though you know
that McClane will prevail in the end. Film does overdo McClanes part a bit as
he kills hundreds of terrorists without any help other than a computer geek he
has as a sidekick. Figure he would need the 18-wheeler to carry all the ammunition he uses, but he never runs short as he alone wipes out the bad guys-
then allows the FBI/Homeland Security to come in in the last scenes to slap the
handcuffs on the 3 leading terrorist that are left (out of hundreds it seems at
the start of the movie). Entertaining for adults of the family.

In a summer filled with disappointment its nice to see John McClane back even if it is a pg-13 version it still takes my spot as the best summer movie thus far (and with it competition who can argue that). Non stop action grabs you in the first ten minutes and doesn't let go till the credits. Mclane is back rugged and raw, Willis gives a great performance as he reprises his role. There's one scene in particular that i loved, When hes driving the computer nerd that hes protecting after he has several run ins with Assasians and Johns a little banged up. He's asked "Why are you doing this?" (or something like that) and McClane says "If there was someone else I would be glad to let them do it." then the kid asks "So why do it" then McClane responds "Because there is no one else." I don't know maybe I'm reading to deep in but i thought that really shows who and what McClane is, hes the guy who is willing to put his own neck out to protect us because thats what he needs to do, not what he wants to do. He didn't ask to be a hero just that no one else stepped up that was willing to take the hits. Live Free Or Die Hard is a great action movie that even thou it may not rank with the original nor the third installments, i would definitely say its better than the second. And it sure is nice to see McClane back in action.......Yippie Kayay bla bla bla..

Definately one of the best of 2007. Movie is packed with Great acting, Great action, and Great Plot. Live Free or Die Hard shocked me compared to the original series. It was an amazing movie. Next time you see this movie on the shelf, take it home with you. Happy Holidays.