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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Die Hard

EMAIL PRINT20th Century Fox Film Corporation

8.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 20 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Suspense/Thriller

Written by: Roderick Thorp (novel)
Jeb Stuart
Steven E. De Souza

Directed by: John McTiernan

Release Date:
Theatrical: July 15, 1988
DVD: March 9, 1999

Running Time: 131 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: R

Starring Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Alan Rickman, and Alexander Godunov

When terrorists take over a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve, visting New York cop John McClane (Willis) thwarts their plans.

Also On Metacritic

FILM: Die Hard: With a Vengeance Last Action Hero

Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Not only is it a thrill-a-minute ride, but it has one of the best film villains in recent memory, a hero everyone can relate to, dialogue that crackles with wit, and a lot of very impressive pyrotechnics.

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100

Mr. Showbiz Carmel Dagan

This brash, clever picture caught the attention of audiences after years of moribund product from the likes of Schwarzenegger and Stallone.

USA Today Mike Clark

The result is a foot-stomping rouser. Where else can you get a cop in his underwear boogalooing with skyscraper terrorists? [15 July 1988, Life, p.4D]

Washington Post Desson Thomson

A firepowered, blood-drenched action picture that doesn't let up.

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San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

Slick, glossy, overblown, implausible. [15 July 1988, Daily Notebook, p.E1]

Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

Has everything but a personality. [15 July 1988, Friday, p.A]

The New York Times Caryn James

Has to be the most excessive film around. It piles every known element of the action genre onto the flimsy story. [15 July 1988]

Variety Staff (Not credited)

As high tech, rock hard and souped up as an action film can be.

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Washington Post Hal Hinson

A logistical wonder, a marvel of engineering, and relentlessly, mercilessly thrilling.

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TV Guide Staff (not credited)

A triumph of slick direction and lowbrow thrills, marred but not spoiled by a sour aftertaste.

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Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

As a grand flourish of cinematic technique, it is awesome; as a human drama, it is disgusting and silly, a mindless depiction of carnage on an epic scale. [15 July 1988, Calendar, p.6-1]

Time Richard Schickel

What Willis proves in Die Hard is that it is not one you can ease through, especially if your preparation runs more to body building than to character building. [July 25, 1988]

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

On a technical level, there's a lot to be said for Die Hard. It's when we get to some of the unnecessary adornments of the script that the movie shoots itself in the foot.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Marcus L. gave it a9:
The best of the four Die Hards. Bruce Willis as John McClain was great. /the action and humor made this movie great and the best Die Hard.

Corey J. gave it an8:
One of the best action movies ever made. I'm 22 and just saw it for the first time. I'm kind of a movie buff, and I'm interested in all genres. The people who bash this movie seem to be pretentious jackasses. Die Hard is what it is: an action movie. If features ridiculously large explosions, brawls that would leave any real human being dead or permanently crippled, and unbelievable stunts. Everything that's expected from an action movie, but it also has a bit of heart. You care about the characters and the villains are trite but still believable and not completely one-dimensional. Excellent acting. It also gives us one of the best movie lines ever: " Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.

Patrick B. gave it a10:
One of the best Christmas movies ever made. Also one of the best action flicks ever made. Well thought out plot, with great dialog and character interaction. If you think about it, there hasn't been a better action movie made since. It's arguable that it's the best ever as I can't think of one that rocks as much as this while staying realistic. I'd be amazed if Hollywood ever tops it.

Jared C. gave it a10:
Bruce Willis, well done, your humor is flowing with the character and makes everyone in the audience at least smile, laugh, or find it funny.

Steven S gave it a10:
Just really one of the greatest action movies ever made.

Cory H. gave it a10:
Anyone watching Die Hard expecting philosophical expostion will be horribly dissapointed. Anybody who just wants to have a great time watching a good movie will get there just desserts. I have lost track of how many times I have seen this flick, and truly don't even remember the first time since it has been so long, but I do know that I get a thrill out of watching it every single time! That is what makes a movie good. And John McTiernan, where o where have you gone?

[Anonymous] gave it an8:
This action thriller relies as much on suspense as it does on action. No doubt this will entertain most anyone who watches it. And where else do you get an action film that doubles as a Christmas movie?