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Die Hard 4.0 (2007)

Director: Len Wiseman

Time Out rating

Average user rating

60 reviews

Synopsis

In this action-packed sequel, John McClane is assigned the dangerous task of capturing the mysterious hacker attacking America's vulnerable infrastructure

Movie review

From Time Out London

So far the ‘Die Hard’ series has offered scenes of civil aviation hijack, skyscraper attack (with falling bodies) and a New York besieged by explosions. Nothing unusual then: in the years before 9/11, grand-scale civilian terror was a staple Hollywood pleasure; ‘Die Hard With A Vengeance’ (1995) even showed Manhattan office workers munching popcorn as they survey the carnage below. In the event, of course, people took terrorist attack rather more personally than that, both in the moment and in dealing with the fall-out. Inspired by a WIRED article about the threat to homeland security from systems hacking, ‘Die Hard 4.0’ happily exploits the dire potential consequences of such ‘soft strike’ tactics, yet proposes the decidedly September 10 solution of an individual hero – and banks on its audience reaching for the popcorn, like in the good old days.

Once again, NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is in the wrong place at the wrong time – in this case, Washington, DC, on Independence Day, just as forces unseen conspire to shut down the security and transport systems of the city and its neighbours. Chaos ensues and McClane girds himself to save the day with blood ’n’ grit, assisted by unworldly but tech-savvy hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long, who played similar roles in ‘Galaxy Quest’ and ‘Dodgeball’). In the other corner are high-kickin’ Maggie Q, clench-jawed, bug-eyed Timothy Olyphant and some French blokes who know parkour (bien sûr). McClane’s teenage daughter (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is also running around.

As in the other ‘Die Hard’ movies, a hero who once declared that ‘progress peaked with frozen pizza’ is pitched against complex systems being abused by nut-jobs with delusions of grandeur, though McClane is now harder to accept than ever as an everyman figure: once bleeding and battling alone, he is now effectively a superhuman with a sidekick whose theatre has expanded from the confines of an office block to the entire eastern seaboard. McClane’s yen for remote communication with his foes now benefits from video conferencing and the series’ long-standing soft spot for pornographic explosions is ratcheted up a few notches too – as is the scale of the action sequences. If the collapse of the US capital’s social and civic infrastructure doesn’t pack enough of a punch, you also get a fighter jet facing off against a juggernaut.

Len Wiseman (who directed the gothic fantasy actioner ‘Underworld’ and its sequel) handles many of the set-pieces with flair and tension: a mass pile-up in an underpass is especially effective, and there’s a real sense of panic to the city’s realisation that it’s under attack. But if the film acknowledges the increased plausibility of such violence, it’s only to exploit the audience’s anxieties. If the series’ reactionary spite is indulged here more than even, so is its sappy sentimentality: national meltdown, it insists, is a mere trifle next to a father’s violent love for his daughter.

Author: Ben Walters 2007-07-02 14:39:48

Time Out London Issue 1924: July 4-10 2007

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User reviews of this film

Doug said...

Posted on Aug 01 2007 20:34 Despite seeing this at the Premiere with Bruce et al... I failed to be engrossed.
Its a shameless cash in on the brand with some expensive special effects but little else to grab you. Save your money and go watch the original on DVD.

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Alby said...

Posted on Jul 31 2007 20:07 Excellent - just sit back and enjoy the entertainment - Bruce Willis is as easy to watch as ever

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Siiimon said...

Posted on Jul 31 2007 13:01 This film doesn't require brains. Its a good action movie, full of special effects and stunts, but so far fetched, that some scenes (such as the falling on the fighter jet tail and shooting himself through the chest to get the 'Bad-Guy' behind him, and only ending up with an arm-sling and a plaster) beggars belief, and in my opinion disappoint the viewer. Without these stupid attempts of 'thrill and awe', which don't work (Another example - taking down a helicopter with a car propelled of an underpass toll booth! - Total Bullocks!!) the film would have at least got 5 stars from me.

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manps said...

Posted on Jul 29 2007 18:39 well worth seeing, not as good as DH3 but a close second.

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Me said...

Posted on Jul 27 2007 18:06 Non-stop action but you need to leave logic outside the theatre. The most I've enjoyed a film in a long time. By, the way, if you enjoyed the movie, make sure you fill in the rating, otherwise it drags down the overall rating of the movie!!

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Gip Plip said...

Posted on Jul 27 2007 17:37 I hav'nt this movie yet at all, but I can assure you that it is the best movie that I havnt seen yet. I love the fact that I havnt seen any of the amazing actions scenes and I havnt seen any the humour and wit of the character of John. I do'nt ever intend to see this flm, because its basically too good and I dont feel worthy of it. Maybe I'll treat myself to a trailer or two. Thank you

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Adam said...

Posted on Jul 27 2007 12:43 Awful, awful film. Not a Die Hard film, not even a competent action picture. Who has Len Wiseman got embarrasing pictures of to be in charge of a film like this. Maggie Q looks great, otherwise this is terrible. What were they thinking with Keven Smith!!!!!!!!!

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Jenny DONNELLY said...

Posted on Jul 26 2007 12:00 It was superb showing his age but still got it best film out at the moment would see it again

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Graham said...

Posted on Jul 26 2007 09:44 Entertaining two hours, but the film is the worst of the four. if you grew up in the 80's/90's this film will fall down. It's mindless stuff, Willis survives to many over the top unbelievable events. It's a good film on it's own but has that dweeb appeal of modern day internet mayhem, which is a world McLaine doesn't belong in. It lacks the content of previous films, the expanded characters, whitty bad guys and believavle action. This film would be more suited to Jack Bauer than John McLaine. Still enjoyed it nonetheless.

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magz xx said...

Posted on Jul 25 2007 18:26 this film is just like the rest of the die hards but full of action really really good definitly go see it!!!

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Muray said...

Posted on Jul 23 2007 17:11 Bull yet.

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Deepak said...

Posted on Jul 22 2007 15:18 when watching it I thought it was good, and then right at the end John says Yipeekyeyy Motherf**ker. and that tipped the film for good to brilliant.

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Harri said...

Posted on Jul 20 2007 14:00 Definitely one fo the best action movies this year. Beats all the other sequels by a mile. Lot's of humour, non-stop action, stunts etc. Only minus from the obvious preach from Willis not to use viruses.

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Tina said...

Posted on Jul 20 2007 13:30 Definitely the best since the first one (first still remains unbeatable). Non stop action the whole way through. Throroughly enjoyable.

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Dee said...

Posted on Jul 19 2007 12:09 Hated it, too long, guys leave us women at home and go and watch it with the lads

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