Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Die Hard with a Vengeance is the third installment of the Die Hard franchise and my second favorite Die Hard movie. The film is about Hans Gruber's brother, Simon, who comes back to settle the score with John McClane and likewise score with the national reserve.

John McTiernan the original director of the first Die Hard is back to continue the storyline of what happens with the unlucky but cunning John McClane. McTiernan is a legendary action director, something to which this generation is really missing. He has a new film announced and anyone who's a fan of Die Hard should be excited for whatever it might be. Between Predator, The Hunt for Red October, Last Action Hero, and the Die Hard franchise there's little evidence the next movie will flop.

Bruce Willis does what worked in the first one again. He makes his character interesting, easily understood and allows us to empathize with his problems. Especially with the racial tensions at the time, people could really understand how wearing a racist sign in Harlem would bring around problems and characters like Zeus to save him. His never-ending strife towards success is one of the reasons his character is great, like the title.

Jeremy Irons is the perfect villain in this. He's smart and diabolical. He plays with McClane while doing his other villainous actions elsewhere. Even making McClane do math in a park with jugs of water. It's humiliating and makes his character have more depth because he's not evil just for the sake of being evil. He is here for vengeance and nothing will stop him, except McClane.

Samuel L. Jackson is great in this film. His characters are not stereotypical, offensive, or stupid. He really brings to life his character in a way that no one else could at the time. There are few actors out there today that have the range that Jackson does. He has a way to tap into anger that rivals Jack Nickolson.

Result: A (One of the best Die Hard movies and up there for great action films)

Comments

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is directed by Jon Favreau , known for Iron Man and Chef , with much of the story influence clearly coming from Dave Filoni , known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Ahsoka . Unfortunately, the film falls into the same “and then” style of storytelling that hurts many modern franchise films, where scenes feel stitched together without enough meaningful progression. Entire stretches of the movie, particularly long sequences involving Grogu wandering through a forest, feel padded and lacking purpose. Instead of building momentum, the film drifts from moment to moment without ever creating a compelling central narrative. Pedro Pascal , known for The Last of Us and Narcos , once again plays the Mandalorian, though his presence feels strangely limited. It is difficult not to notice how often the character appears disconnected physically and vocally, giving the impression that Pascal himself may not have been involved in large portions of the performa...

In the Grey (2026)

In the Grey is written and directed by Guy Ritchie , known for Snatch and The Gentlemen , and the film carries all the style and personality audiences expect from him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is confident, and the story constantly moves with a sense of swagger that keeps it entertaining throughout. Ritchie once again proves he knows how to make even familiar action setups feel fresh through his direction and character work. Eiza González , known for Baby Driver and Ambulance , plays the beautiful and manipulative lawyer role perfectly. She brings confidence and charisma to every scene, balancing charm with danger in a way that fits naturally into Ritchie’s world. Beyond just looking the part, she fully commits to the character’s aggressive personality and ends up being one of the film’s strongest presences. Henry Cavill , known for Man of Steel and The Witcher , delivers another very likable performance. His natural charm works extremely well here, especially in the fil...

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

Lee Cronin's The Mummy is directed by surprise-surprise Lee Cronin , best known for Evil Dead Rise , and his style is immediately recognizable. The film plays less like a traditional Mummy story and more like a modern possession horror with a different skin. It often feels like a “what if Evil Dead involved a mummy,” leaning heavily into familiar genre beats rather than carving out something distinct. The tone prioritizes intensity and shock, with a focus on gore over sustained dread, which keeps it engaging in moments but limits its ability to build true horror. Jack Reynor , known for Midsommar and Sing Street , plays the father figure at the center of the chaos. His performance is solid and grounded, fitting well within the expectations of the genre. He brings a level of sincerity that helps anchor the film, even as the story follows a fairly predictable path. His arc plays out in a way that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen possession films like The Exorcist , but ...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog