Posted: 02/08/2011

Die Hard 2 Review

by Robert Baum

Review: Die Hard 2 (1990)

Bruce Willis once again is at the wrong place at the wrong time for subversives with sinister schemes. This time John McClane (Willis) is called upon to save the day at an airport taken over by renegade special operatives under the command of a disgraced military fanatic (William Sadler). While it lacks the panache of its predecessor, Die Hard 2 is enjoyable escapism for those easily entertained by slam-bang summer actioners.
Following a reconciliation with his businesswoman wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), McClane has transferred to Los Angeles. As the film opens, he’s back east waiting for his wife to arrive at Dulles International and at the moment is a bit preoccupied as his car has been towed. Soon the weather outside will be frightful.
In a South American territory, its former dictator (Franco Nero) is being extradicted to the States to face trial on drug charges a la Noriega. Justice Department agents are waiting to take the former strongman into custody at Dulles and are mum about it, much to the dismay of a tv reporter (Sheila McCarthy) covering the story and no doubt seeking some solid sound bites. She manages to get one, albeit a brief profane-laced one from Colonel Stuart (Sadler).
Eagle-eyed McClane spots some shady types who happen to be among the unit led by Stuart. Though the bull-headed chief of airport security (Dennis Franz as yet another cop who has had a few too many doughnuts) butts heads with McClane. McClane is certain that there’s trouble brewing but has no idea what might occur. A call to his fellow LA lawman Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson making a cameo) confirms McClane’s suspicions.
As if the weather wasn’t bad enough, things manage to worse. Stuart and his commando comrades compromise operations at the airport and lets the flight controllers know that he is in command. He is waiting for the arrival of a certain former dictator and that any attempt to interfere with his plans will be met with dire consequences. McClane goes up against more bad guys this time armed only with his pistol and a few improvised weapons. Among the items he winds up using to his advantage are a spray can, a golf club, and an icicle—yes an icicle—against a unit utilizing automatic weaponry and proficiency in unarmed combat.
Implausiblity is abundant in this sequel directed by Finnish-born filmmaker Renny Harlin. Die Hard 2 is loud, outrageous, and sometimes something of a mess. Producer Joel Silver clearly believes sequel to a hit should spare no expense. Bigger does not necessarily mean better.
Willis is again credible as the guy who has to save the day and battle great odds to do so. No doubt relishing the fact that his “Moonlighting” days are behind him so he can concentrate more on being a rich movie star. As for the supporting players, particularly those from the first film (Bedelia, VelJohnson, and William Atherton), their parts are diminished compared to Art Evans and Franz who basically function here as VelJohnson and Paul Gleason did in the original.
Sadler might lack the flair of Alan Rickman. As Willis’ adversary, he does make for a believable menace. He chews the scenes best when quoting Cardinal Richelieu as he alerts the control tower from the security of his command post—concealed in a church—that he should not be crossed. Though he knows this is fast food fare, Sadler treats it like it’s fine cuisine.
While not nearly as great as its predecessor, Die Hard 2 is far from disappointing. Though fairly routine for this sort of film it certainly won’t bore most of its target audience. In fact, audiences won’t be surprised by much, if anything, at all. That is virtually all but assured by the fact that action scenarist Steven deSouza co-wrote the sequel in addition to the 1988 blockbuster. Though were it not for the presence of Willis as the everyman, Die Hard 2 would be nothing more than the collection of fancy fireworks and shoot-em up pictures often put out by the studios for summer audiences. In short, the sort of pictures usually produced by Joel Silver.

Robert Baum is Currently a Bryn Mawr, PA-based film afficanado and pop culture junkie.

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