12/10-Die Hard (1988)

I know that everyone says how this is a Christmas movie and gush over its unconventional Christmas themes, but it had been so long since I'd seen the original Die Hard that in my head, it was solely an action movie that happened to take place on Christmas.  But no, I was very much wrong and everyone else is very correct in saying this is a Christmas movie, not only that, but it's an excellent Christmas movie.

The plot centers on it, and not just in passing, like "oh look at me, I'm just a regular movie, but I happen to take place during Christmas, so people call me a Christmas movie," but in a way that the plot wouldn't really work if it weren't Christmas.  Also, the music is riddled with Christmas songs melded in with the score.

That song is not in Die Hard, but it is from a Bob's Burgers episode where Gene writes a Die Hard musical, and it's pretty much spot it.  You should probably check it out.

But back to the movie itself, it begins with New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) on a plane heading to LA to see his wife and kids.  Something is obviously funky with their relationship, but we don't really know what it is.  They aren't divorced, but things are rocky.  He arrives at her work, Nakatomi Tower, where they are having their Christmas party.  Random note: Minneapolis mayor, Betsy Hodges is a die hard Die Hard fan and has a cat named Nakatomi.  First thing he notices is that his wife is using her maiden name.

They reunite, only to have a slight tiff, so she leaves him in her office unwind from the trip while she does some office obligations like giving a speech.  Alone, he takes off his socks and shoes to try a relaxation technique that the guy next to him on the plane recommended.  This is important because while he is barefoot, gunshots begin to go off as the party is taken hostage by a small terrorist cell.  Being a badass cop, he immediately goes into survival mode by gathering info while staying hidden from the terrorists, but he was so gung-ho, he didn't have time to put his shoes back on.

Interesting note on the terrorists, they are all European, just like every other movie made prior to 9/11.  Remember Gary Oldman from Air Force One? European.  Bad guys in Goldeneye?  European.  Although to be fair, in Executive Decision, the lead terrorist is a European playing someone of unspecified Middle Eastern origin.

Honestly, I'm not going to say more about the plot because it's awesome and intriguing, with fun turns throughout.  If you've seen it, then you already know this, but if you haven't then I don't want to spoil it.  What I will say is that Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) is a fantastic bad guy.  He's cunning and ruthless, but also intelligent, who using both shock and awe as well as finesse for his flawlessly planned crime.  Of course, you can't plan for a glitch like John McClane.

It's not terribly heartwarming, but sometimes you just need a little terrorist ass-kicking to get your holiday jollies.

Rating on the feel-good-o-meter: 4 out of 10 hugs