FILM SYNOPSIS:  A detailed terrorist plot threatens America’s infrastructure.  The country’s brains are baffled.  But not to worry, old pro John McClane, is here.

REVIEW:  The premise is nightmarish, making this a cut above the standard hero-saves-the-world summer film treat.  This first half twists your gut and causes you to grab the armrests as if you’re on an out-of-control roller coaster.  Soon we’re thinking how lucky we are to have a super cop like John McClane to deal with such calamities.  Well, make that “hope there is.”

Sadly, the second half becomes ludicrous, with the star’s tongue stuck as far into his cheek as it will go.  At one point, he actually escapes a life-threatening situation by jumping off a crumbling freeway and toppling onto the rear end of a hovering fighter jet.  Suddenly, it’s the typical bang-bang-punch-punch chase blockbuster we’ve come to expect each summer. 

Video Alternative:  Dr. Strangelove.  Dark comedy about a military commander who goes, well, a little funny in the head, and launches an A-bomb aimed at Russia.  Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant comedy pokes fun at politicians and the absurdity of war.  Peter Sellers, George C. Scott head intrepid cast.  (Caution: Adult subject matter).

Live Free or Die Hard is rated PG-13 (25 uses of the s-word and several other harsh or crude terms; 10 profane uses of God’s name and an equal amount of misuse of Christ’s name; from beginning to end, it is a tense film, with many people killed by gunfire, car crashes, explosions and other demises; a college couple are groping away in a parked car until her father shows up).


Reviewed by Phil Boatwright, the Movie Reporter.
For other recent reviews by Mr. Boatwright, visit previewonline.org.

(Disclaimer: These are the views of the author, not necessarily the staff of JesusJournal and are made available for your reading discretion.)