Die Hard (1988) starred a relatively unknown actor in Bruce Willis. Critics disliked the choice since the leading men in action films were guys like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Willis did not look the part, but this proved to be a pivotal point in launching his career. It also opened the gates for more non-traditional leading men.
Spoilers will follow.
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? I understand this is a yearly argument, and I have chosen a side.
This film entirely takes place on Christmas Eve. It centers around John McClane (Willis) being mistakingly invited to a Christmas party. There are continual reminders that it is Christmas time. Therefore, it is a Christmas movie. Some people require a "Holiday Moral Theme." How about this? McClane and his wife are estranged, but the magic of the holidays (the party invitation) has brought them back together as a couple.
Besides most definitely being a Christmas movie, this is a classic action movie. It is the pinnacle of 'an inside man fighting the bad guys' flick. It is full of iconic moments such as jumping off the roof tied to the firehose and crawling through the air ducts.
McClane's action scenes were all enjoyable, especially against the long-haired Russian terrorist. It is not acrobatic or over-the-top, and it does not need to be. It is a couple of guys battling it out.
Another casting choice some critics found odd was Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber. This was a Shakespearian actor cast as a terrorist leader. It turned out to be a great pick as he has become one of the most known film villains of all time. It is not due to brute force or being physically intimidating. He knows what he wants and will take out others to get there.
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