As a seasoned gamer and action movie enthusiast with over two decades of cinematic adventures under my belt, I can confidently say that Die Hard is undeniably a Christmas classic. The film’s intricate blend of action, suspense, humor, and holiday cheer makes it an unforgettable experience for any viewer during the Yuletide season.
In a fun twist, the movie “Die Hard” takes place on Christmas Eve, crashing into an otherwise cheerful office party. At one point, Run-D.M.C.’s “Christmas in Hollis” plays, and John McClane’s iconic line is even scrawled on a Santa helper’s sweatshirt: “Now I Have a Machine Gun Ho-Ho-Ho.” You can stream it now on Peacock!
As a diehard fan, if the fact that John’s wife is named “Holly,” among other things, doesn’t solidify Die Hard as a Christmas classic, I wonder what other holiday-themed film elements could possibly make it a true Yuletide masterpiece.
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The Die Hard Christmas debate: Bruce Willis & John McTiernan weigh in with different takes
It’s unlikely that the ongoing discussion about whether Die Hard qualifies as an official Christmas film will ever reach a definitive resolution, given that even the director John McTiernan and leading actor Bruce Willis have differing opinions on the matter. With such disagreement among the key figures involved, it seems impossible to find common ground among the numerous fans who consider this 1988 action movie as a holiday viewing staple (or not).
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Indeed, McTiernan and Willis have often expressed their opinions about the Christmas-themed appeal of their iconic collaboration over time. Essentially, it comes down to each viewer’s unique perspective on these films. To be impartial, Willis’ remarks on this matter appear more playful than those of McTiernan: “Die Hard is not a Christmas movie!” he joked (via IGN) during his Comedy Central Roast in 2018. “It’s a Bruce Willis movie!” Even though the context for his bold statement might have been a bit humorous, Willis still took a stance on the issue.
McTiernan appears to have pondered more deeply about the subject, sharing insights on occasion regarding how the Christmas Eve backdrop of Die Hard was a conscious creative decision. In a 2021 American Film Institute feature, he drew parallels between the film’s ordinary hero vs authoritarianism theme and It’s a Wonderful Life. He further explained that there is an intentional “joy” woven into Die Hard that, in his view, embodies at least some essence of the Christmas spirit.
As a fan, I’d rephrase it like this: “Three, four times, producer Joel Silver handed me the script. It was a tale set in the bustling heart of capitalistic Valhalla – Los Angeles. The storyline depicted ruthless, leftist extremists who invaded this city paradise. Armed and malicious, they disrupted Christmas celebrations by gunfire, a horrifying act. I couldn’t help but feel repulsed by such characters; truly dreadful!… Each time I spoke to Joel, I expressed my reluctance: ‘I don’t want to be part of making this film.’
However, McTiernan pointed out, “There was a sense of fun in it,” as the creative team behind Die Hard gradually understood McTiernan’s aim of opposing an upright cop like McClane against villains audacious enough to orchestrate their plot amidst festive holiday cheer. “Initially, we hadn’t planned it to be a Christmas film, but the enjoyment that emerged from it is what transformed it into one.
Whichever side of the debate your sleigh lands on, Die Hard definitely doesn’t slot snugly beside Elf or How the Grinch Stole Christmas as a family-friendly fun flick that you can set the kids in front of and forget. But if your holiday binge tendencies veer more toward R-rated action-comedy bangers like Violent Night or Bad Santa, then calling it a Christmas movie won’t elicit a peep of protest from us… just be sure not to tell Bruce Willis the same thing.
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2024-11-29 17:01