http://www.moviereviewblog.net/2007/04/17/perfect-stranger-by-james-foley/ itsvery Movie Review - independent film reviews Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:27:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 http://www.moviereviewblog.net/2007/04/17/perfect-stranger-by-james-foley/#comment-11173 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:10:54 +0000 http://www.moviereviewblog.net/2007/04/17/perfect-stranger-by-james-foley/#comment-11173 [...] If Live Free Or Die Hard, also known as Die Hard 4.0 would be a B-movie, it would probably be titled Dirty Bruce vs. Ninja Karate Hackers. It’s Bruce Willis/John McClane as we know him - dirty, bruised and bleeding, fighting alone against a bunch of goons led by a mad terrorist with a mission. Only this time, he doesn’t have to save just a building (Die Hard), an airport (Die Hard 2 - Die Harder) or a city (Die Hard with a Vengeance) - this time the good ole’ United States are at stake. And instead of now-ex wife Holly (portrayed by Bonnie Bedelia in Die Hard 1, 2 and 3) the family member in peril is daughter Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead - sexy and tough) this time. Did i say John McClane fights alone? Well, not totally alone - he has a bit of help from Matt Farrell (Justin Long). Computer nerds don’t seem to make good movie characters (Hugh Jackman: a bit ridiculous in Swordfish; Sandra Bullock: a bit dull in The Net; everybody in Perfect Stranger: ouch!; …), but Justin Long ain’t too bad, though he is no Reginald VelJohnson (Sgt. Al Powell from the original Die Hard). And Kevin Smith as “Warlock” in his “command center” is the exception from the rule. John McClane looks at a lifesized Boba Fett figure in the Warlock’s “command center” The Warlock: Oh… so you’re a fan of the Fett? John McClane: No, I was always a fan of Star Wars… Live Free Or Die Hard is by no means enlightening, insightful, original or artistically valuable - but it’s a popcorn-movie in the best sense of the word, with enough action, fights, chases and explosions to keep you entertained enough to forget the sillyness of it all - and that’s quite an achievement! [...] […] If Live Free Or Die Hard, also known as Die Hard 4.0 would be a B-movie, it would probably be titled Dirty Bruce vs. Ninja Karate Hackers. It’s Bruce Willis/John McClane as we know him - dirty, bruised and bleeding, fighting alone against a bunch of goons led by a mad terrorist with a mission. Only this time, he doesn’t have to save just a building (Die Hard), an airport (Die Hard 2 - Die Harder) or a city (Die Hard with a Vengeance) - this time the good ole’ United States are at stake. And instead of now-ex wife Holly (portrayed by Bonnie Bedelia in Die Hard 1, 2 and 3) the family member in peril is daughter Lucy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead - sexy and tough) this time. Did i say John McClane fights alone? Well, not totally alone - he has a bit of help from Matt Farrell (Justin Long). Computer nerds don’t seem to make good movie characters (Hugh Jackman: a bit ridiculous in Swordfish; Sandra Bullock: a bit dull in The Net; everybody in Perfect Stranger: ouch!; …), but Justin Long ain’t too bad, though he is no Reginald VelJohnson (Sgt. Al Powell from the original Die Hard). And Kevin Smith as “Warlock” in his “command center” is the exception from the rule. John McClane looks at a lifesized Boba Fett figure in the Warlock’s “command center” The Warlock: Oh… so you’re a fan of the Fett? John McClane: No, I was always a fan of Star Wars… Live Free Or Die Hard is by no means enlightening, insightful, original or artistically valuable - but it’s a popcorn-movie in the best sense of the word, with enough action, fights, chases and explosions to keep you entertained enough to forget the sillyness of it all - and that’s quite an achievement! […]

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