rydercup Reviews

Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Fantastic Entertainment

[9/10 · 28 June 2007]

While this movie falls slightly short of Die Hard 1 & 2, it is better than DHWAV in my opinion. I'll admit that it feels the least like a "Die Hard Movie" of the 4 pictures, but at the end of the day, Live Free or Die Hard has its own merits and is fully able to stand on its own 2 feet. McClane is great as always, and the one-liners are clever and non-stop. I will say that this movie probably has the greatest action sequences that I have ever seen on film (yes, even eclipsing Terminator 2 IMHO). Those who were concerned about the PG-13 rating need not worry. I am absolutely shocked that this movie was not rated R - it has a tonne of violence (some very brutal) and there is plenty of swearing, just not many F-bombs.

All in all, while it is impossible to live up to the lofty heights of the original classic, Live Free or Die Hard is a highly entertaining movie worth the price of admission.

Hostage (2005)

Well-acted and Emotional Action Thriller

[9/10 · 13 March 2005]

I went into this movie with moderate expectations, but was very impressed with how good it was. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, Hostage offered some great action, drama, emotion and most of all some fantastic acting, mainly by Bruce Willis and Ben Foster. I have not always enjoyed Willis' movies, but this one was reminiscent of some of his better roles, ie. Die Hard and Sixth Sense.

I have read some of the media's reviews of this film and some have been unjustifiable harsh. Were they watching the same movie? Once again, I am glad that I did not listen to the critics because I would have missed this movie. If you are in the mood for a tense, gritty thriller with believable and emotional characters, Hostage will not disappoint. I give it 8.5/10.