Stirb Langsam 2 - Die Harder

Harlin did it right and his rendering of the "Diehard poetics" is completely different from the previous work, more expansive in terms of the plot, and much more formally sweeping. The action he filmed may have lost some of the elegant realism of McTiernan, but the quantity scores full marks this time, and McLane is sent into action that has no close rivals. On the other hand, it should be noted that John McLane has lost the initial charm of his personality, with which he dazzled action fans in his time, but Bruce Willis is still simply hotshot No. 1. At the beginning when he incredulously utters "How does the same shit happen to the same guy twice?", people need to realize that Harlin takes it all with a healthy detachment, occasionally winking ironically at viewers who are in the right mood. I can’t help but give it a perfect score. (24.09.2006)

A significantly worse sequel where there is more of everything - enemies, explosions, catchphrases and shootouts. It's still a more-than-decent actioner, though, with very good pacing and Willis literally pulling it off on his shoulders despite some sterility. (09.06.2007)

"Another basement, another elevator. How is it possible that it happens twice?" The first installment is a well-deserved cult, but I have to go against the stream and praise the second part, Die Harder, even more. Harlin starts from scratch, letting McClane be vulnerable again as a cop who occasionally gets shaken up, and naturally handles the transition into a rescuer with ease, which is both natural and surprisingly well-developed. The situation, reminiscent of Nakatomi Plaza, is intensified by the airport setting. The only advantage that the previous adventure retains is in the main villain, as the airport phantom is not of the same caliber as Hans, but rather a sadistic bad guy. Die Harder is a bit better than the first mainly because of the action, which looks even rougher and more graceful than in its older sibling. 90% (16.06.2007)

Diese Flughafenfalle ist vielleicht sogar tödlicher als die Erste im Wolkenkratzer. Es hat sich nicht nur die Anzahl der Leichen pro Quadratmeter erhöht, sondern vor allem blutige Appetithäppchen wie abgebissene Finger oder Kugeln im Auge. John McClane liebt einfach Weihnachten. Die schönsten Feiertage des Jahres kann er sich nämlich nicht ohne eine Menge Schlägereien und Schießereien und vor allem ohne einen Weihnachtsbaum vorstellen, der mit den Leichen von Terroristen geschmückt ist. Kein Wunder, dass die Fortsetzung der Abenteuer des größten Pechvogels des Actionfilms im klassischen "alles mehr"-Paket daherkommt, leider jedoch den unverwechselbaren klaustrophobischen Geschmack verliert. Trotzdem immer noch ein großartiger Knaller. (08.10.2016)

It's hard to tell how that Bruce does it, but he gets me every time. John McClane's character is one of his most successful. Even though he doesn't make me cry here like he did in Armageddon, I'm still glued to the screen and drooling. John always knows what to say and he always knows what to do. To me, he's a hero whose every move I trust. And it wouldn't be the same if he didn't throw in a good line here and there. The best in the most over-the-top situations, eh...? Since I have a thing for airports, I like this one a little bit more than the first one. 4.5 stars. (20.08.2011)

It’s Christmas again and John McClane is waiting for his wife to arrive at Dulles International Airport in Washington. I know no better way of spending this stifling summer afternoon (12 July 2006, temp. 90°F in the shade) than in the company of John McClane and a band of terrorists capable of any atrocity. Bruce Willis is simply flawless as McClane and 16 years later he’s just as cool as ever. Renny Harlin handles action and suspense perfectly and lots of déjà vu lines like: "Just once, I'd like a regular, normal Christmas. Eggnog, a fuckin' Christmas tree, a little turkey..." They pleasantly lighten the mood of Die Hard 2. Too bad that they don’t make movies like this any more. (12.07.2006)

The action poetics is absolutely fantastic and the end result is excellent. It's no wonder, because only aces were involved in Die Hard 2. Renny Harlin directed it, Stuart Baird edited, Oliver Wood was the cameraman, and the cast of actors is also impressive. The action is, of course, brilliant and blood is really not spared. Script-wise, it’s more ambitious and much less predictable, while still occasionally being literally an action exhibition. The airport is an attractive setting, and if we add professional mercenaries, marines, a drug baron, and a stubborn airport police captain to the mix, we have a plot for three movies together. McLane is just as badass as in the Nakatomi building and keeps delivering one tough wisecrack after another. This is how a golden action gem of the 90s should look like. (28.09.2006)

A 1990s example of a faithful genre flick that adds new ammo to a worn out template with allusions to new technologies, the obsolescence of McClane’s methods, and the direct clash of the old school (represented by McClane inside the story, as well as the 1980s action drive on the surface) with these newcomers (a hacker’s threat and the self-aware wink and homage to predecessors). The narrative is perfectly structured into several small blocks and it manages to retain the coherent impression of the first one, the action scenes are all entertaining (save for a couple of surprising exceptions), the development of the villains makes sense and Willis drops wisecracks as if his life depended on it. The golden 90s at their best, but with a slightly worn-out package. Harlin was good. 90% (10.04.2019)

Almost a redefinition of the thriller, wonderfully blending the weariness of traditional 80s machismo with the speed, velocity, and elusiveness of the 90s. Because of this, the film is almost completely devoid of the classic action-rest-action-rest scheme and maintains a relentlessly frenetic pace from the very first frame. The shuffling through the crowded airport (where everyone is walking in all directions, someone is standing, someone is sitting, everyone is carrying something) comes right out of the screen, and the action hasn't even started yet. Once all hell breaks loose, a prime example of working with space as an organism begins. Back and forth the hero runs from hypermodern control towers to the guts of dank corridors and ventilation shafts to giant crammed airport concourses, picking up one bomb after another. The emphasis on building chaos on set is evident in every detail. Tables are filled with all sorts of knock-offs, characters are usually doing multiple things at once, blood spurts to the point of splatter, walls are plastered with photographs, bulletin boards, and posters, extras are constantly on the move and if there aren't any around at the moment, like in the first action sequence, at least there are suitcases rolling around the conveyor belt in all directions. For the jaded New York cop, for whom the pinnacle of technological advancement is frozen pizza, it's all understandably utterly exhausting even without dozens of terrorists with their insane plan, which is why I see the most charming scene in all honesty as the last one after the plane arrives with McLane's wife, when John staggers bloodied among the people on the runway, desperately calling her name. By then, though, he knows that she survived and her plane has landed safely on the ground. So he has no reason to worry about her anymore. After all, he's just completely exhausted and in need of his wife, because after all that, he just wants a hug. (13.05.2019)

I definitely prefer the first movie, nothing has changed about that over the years, but this action at the airport is also great. It has a good concept, good scenes, and Bruce Willis is really funny here and there. John McClane is simply a successful character, if we overlook the fifth part... (15.04.2014)