Die Hard 2

So this certainly isn't going to be the most modern film I'm ever going to review. In fact, at the time of going to press (I've always wanted to write that!) it's the oldest movie to find a place in my blog. With a 1990 release date, I was only 5 when Bruce Willis returned to the screens as John McClane, and I wish that was a good enough excuse as to why I'd only ever seen random half hour scraps of it until now. Shamefully though, despite being one of the most iconic action franchises ever, my baptism to McClane's exploits came rather late in the day...

Given the 1990 release, the film could be forgiven for feeling a little dated. Sadly though, it's looking more than just a little old, coming complete with jokes about not being tech-savvy enough to use a fax machine... (Aah, the early nineties!). That said though, the entertainment value is in no way diminished, coming pretty much entirely from the overly bombastic explosions and shoot outs that still look pretty passable even for today's standards.

In all fairness to Bruce, snow is terrifying

One thing does have to be said for the acting though. Sadly, despite being his second outing in the role, Die Hard 2 is an object lesson in how even a well respected actor of modern Hollywood needs to 'grow' into his talent. This film proves, more than anything else, that monologues were certainly not Mr. Willis' strong suit.

Bar some other minor irritations (like our hero being a worryingly accurate shot seeing as he never seems to aim the gun) Die Hard 2 still brings the action magic to the screen more than twenty years after it's initial release. A defining moment in 'don't take it too seriously' cinema, the original installments of the franchise are still capable of delivering the goods.