Die Hard 3: Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Director: John McTiernan

Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson, Jeremy Irons

John McClane and a Harlem store owner are targeted by German terrorist Simon in New York City, where he plans to rob the Federal Reserve Building.

We’ve seen many bank heist films over the years, but ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ might just be the most exciting yet. The film manages to be in a league of its own using a familiar premise.

John McTiernan returns as director, and delivers another thrilling, fast-paced and action-packed crime thriller. The film is also cleverly tied to the original ‘Die Hard’. Bruce Willis once again returns as John McClane (lets face it, it won’t be the same without him). In a drunk and disorderly state, he is summoned back to the force when a bomber named ‘Simon’ requests him to perform certain tasks.

Jeremy Irons is fantastic as Simon. (I have so much respect for Irons as an actor.) Samuel L Jackson stars as Zeus, who unwillingly becomes a part of Simon’s dangerous games. He throws around racial remarks like doughnuts at a cop stakeout! I’ve mentioned this so many times before: I hate racial remarks, and racism in general, and don’t find it entertaining in movies. The racial remarks in ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ serves no purpose other than comic relief. Yup, in this instance it is intended to be funny. For most parts, it actually is, but it does become a bit too much.

Nevertheless, fortunately the action and excitement far outweighs all the racial comments, and Irons also mostly compensates for this with his charm. The film features excellent action choreography, and great action sequences. There’s interesting twists along the way, as well.

‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ is a great addition to the franchise, and a hell of a lot of fun to watch. This was exciting!

‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ earned $366 million on a $90 million budget, and was the highest earning movie at the box office in 1995.

Would I watch it again? Yes.