Die Hard (1988)
"An NYPD officer tries to save his wife and several others taken hostage by German terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles."
Most 80s action films set the standard for how all action movies should be, and Die Hard is one of those films that made it so. It had action, violence, comedy, explosions, great fights, and an intriguing villain. Die Hard is the definition of a perfect action blockbuster. With a fun story, fun adventure, and a great cast, this would be my top recommendation for anyone in for a thrill and a good time.
In my experience with iconic movies, The more quotable a movie is, the better. This movie runs on iconic quotes and one liners. For example:
Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs...
Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
Yippee-ki-yay, motherf***er.
Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho.
Who said we were terrorists?
Happy trails, Hans.
You asked for miracles, Theo, I give you the F.B.I.
Oh my God, the quarterback is TOAST!
Shoot the glass!
I can go on and on.
The reason Bruce Willis has a list of of great action films on his filmography is because he is a great action movie star. He is so charismatic and is hard core in all the fight scenes. He has his emotional moments, but is always there to give us a laugh. He's just fun to watch and that's why his role just works. And John McClain is a hero.
Then there's Alan Rickman. I believe this is his film debut. As a villain, he was very charming, calm, cool, cynical - the perfect villain. His iconic voice was made for a role like this, and this was honestly one of his greatest movies. I believe this movie helped him get roles in films like Robin Hood and Harry Potter, both which were also iconic roles of his.
Speaking of Alan Rickman, it is not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls off Nakatomi Plaza. Yes, this is a Christmas movie. There isn't even an argument to why it wouldn't be. It happens on Christmas at a Christmas party, it got it's own Christmas rap, other Christmas songs play throughout the movie and during the credits, and good defeats evil in a Christmas miracle sort of way. There are 2 movie theaters near my house that have been showing this movie all month. Why would they do that if not for the Christmas spirit that this film give? Ho ho ho.
My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆