Daniel Cann

It is the start of Independence weekend holiday and the FBI are short-staffed so NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is assigned to bring in computer hacker, Matthew Farrell (Justin Long) for questioning as a suspect after the FBI's Cyber Crime Division's computer system has been broken into. Once at Farrell's Camden apartment it becomes clear that something more sinister is afoot as McClane and Farrell barely escape with their lives. Someone wants Farrell dead. As the plot unfolds we discover that a terrorist group headed by a disgruntled ex government employee Thomas Gabriel ('Deadwood's Timothy Olyphant) is planning a 'Firesale.' This means that the United States transport, financial centre, telecommunications and utilities are all under attack. Thanks to the 'cyber terrorists' the whole country faces the threat of being shut down. Only McClane and Farrell stand in their way.

These early scenes showing the terrorists manipulating things to bring about chaos and disorder are compelling and chilling. It is a new type of threat for McClane. This time he is not dealing with a hostage or a property destruction scenario, but a problem on a national scale. The very fabric that holds society together is being unravelled by Gabriel and his cohorts and the ever reluctant hero McClane finds himself teamed up with young, cocky, wise-cracking Farrell as they attempt to set things right again and thwart the terrorists plans. There is a decent line from Gabriel as he taunts the world-weary McClane 'You are a Timex watch in a digital age.'

The action moves at a fast pace and does not let up. There is a novel use for a fire hydrant as McClane and Farrell find themselves pursued by a helicopter in one inventive and entertaining sequence. Willis and Long bounce off each other well and the age gap - culture clash is treated nicely as there are plenty of gags and insults traded. Their initial mistrust and misgivings about each other predictably lead to eventual respect and dependability on each other as McClane needs Farrell's technology skills and Farrell needs McClane's muscle and protection. It is all pretty clichéd stuff but handled with aplomb by the film makers. I did not expect to enjoy this film but found myself amused and entertained by the banter between the two men.

The action and stunts are excellent if a little far-fetched and even ludicrous at times, but you have to remind yourself this is a 'Die Hard' film and just supposed to be 'popcorn entertainment.' The usual taunting and verbal exchanges between McClane and the bad guys over walkie-talkies is present and correct here, just like all the previous entries. Timothy Olyphant's bad guy is a cold-blooded and sardonic creation, played well and with menace. Maggie Q pops up as Mai, a tough as nails assassin and love interest for Gabriel. Her fight scene with McClane is a particularly brutal, bruising but witty one that will have the audience wincing and laughing in equal measure.

My only major problem with this film is that although McClane clearly suffers the usual cuts and bruises, he has become something of a bionic superhero and in one particularly cringe worthy sequence even does battle with a fighter jet. I won't spoil the details but this sequence was a real 'howler.'

Kevin Smith puts in a decent comic cameo performance as a hacker known as 'Warlock.' Again there is decent banter when McClane and Farrell visit his home asking for his assistance. His verbal clash with McClane is one of the films funnier moments when 'Warlock' says 'Why did you bring a cop to my command centre?' Only for the sardonic McClane to laugh 'Command Centre? Its a basement.' Its little scenes and sequences like this that make the film really work.

There is a subplot involving McClane's estranged daughter Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and of course she too gets involved in the action. Thankfully she is no damsel in distress and is actually a chip off the old block. She is feisty and handy with her fists and feet avoiding what could have been a cheesy 'Oh daddy please help me!' moment. An impressed Gabriel comments 'You really are his daughter.' after witnessing her handiwork firsthand. Again its all pretty predictable stuff but handled well.

Overall I enjoyed this film despite my misgivings. It is flawed and even laughable at times for its lack of subtlety and far-fetched action sequences. But thanks to the performances of the cast with plenty of attitude and banter coupled with a contemporary plot that is all too feasible in this day and age, it is an enjoyable and credible entry in the series and holds its own with other films in this genre. Teenage males, who this is aimed at will enjoy it while thirty-somethings like me will smile wryly remembering an 80s film that was superior but will nonetheless take something positive from this experience.

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