Critic Reviews

Die Hard (1988) Rank 5 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Die Hard (1988) a score of 3.4583 out of 4

based on (29) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(17)

Very Good

(8)

Good

(4)

Fair

(0)

Poor

(0)

Reviews by Score:

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Die Hard represents the class of modern action pictures and the standard by which they must be judged. Few films falling into the "mindless entertainment" genre have as much going for them as this movie. Not only is it a thrill-a-minute ride, but it has o ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Ted Prigge

Bruce Willis set the trend for his wisecracking lovable protagonist on "Moonlighting," and he carried it over to the action genre nicely. He plays John McClaine, a New York cop who's suffering from a little bit of workaholicism, as his family has left ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Ted Prigge

Monkeyboy Review

Seeing as how it's nearly Crimbo time, I thought I'd have another look at one of the best Christmas movies ever. It actually has very little to do with Christmas other than being set in the festive season. But you can't beat the heart-warming sight of a ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Monkeyboy Review

UpcomingDiscs.com (Gino Sassani)

Say the name Bruce Willis and what is the first thing that comes to mind? Lately Willis has excelled in roles that have redefined him as an actor. Of course, I'm talking about films like "The Sixth Sense". But when I hear Bruce Willis I think of John ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (Gino Sassani)

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Not only is it a thrill-a-minute ride, but it has one of the best film villains in recent memory, a hero everyone can relate to, dialogue that crackles with wit, and a lot of very impressive pyrotechnics. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Decent Films Guide (Steven D. Greydanus)

For an evening of edge-of-your-seat entertainment, you'd be hard pressed to do much better. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Decent Films Guide (Steven D. Greydanus)

eFilmCritic.com (Brian Mckay)

Rent it on Christmas Eve and give that "Wonderful Life" [expletive deleted] a rest for one year. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Brian Mckay)

Netflix (James Rocchi)

Die Hard is in many ways the perfectly constructed action film, combining interior tension with exterior explosions. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Netflix (James Rocchi)

eFilmcritic.com (Jack Sommersby)

The action sequences are, quite simply, the best ever filmed. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at eFilmcritic.com (Jack Sommersby)

Movie Addict (John Ulmer)

A blast from start to finish. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Movie Addict (John Ulmer)

Three Movie Buffs (Scott Nash)

If you haven't seen this movie, do yourself a favor and rent it tonight. Rent it, even if you have seen it. This is a movie that bears repeat viewings. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Scott Nash)

Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)

The best action movie ever? You'll have a Hard job finding a better one. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)

DVDActive (Ryan Olson)

By far, I have to conclude that the 5-Star edition of Fox's "Die Hard" would easily have to be the best DVD release this year! This is a fine example of what DVD's should contain. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at DVDActive (Ryan Olson)

ToxicUniverse.com (Mike Bracken)

Ultimately, Die Hard is a finely crafted action film that has set the standard for all of the American films ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (Mike Bracken)

filmcritic.com (Pete Croatto)

If I were teaching a film class at a college (a shuddering prospect, I know), Die Hard would be studied the way Citizen Kane and Potemkin are. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at filmcritic.com (Pete Croatto)

Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)

DIE HARD is a film I watch whenever I get the chance because it is one that always entertains, that actually has fully-fleshed out characters and a stand-off between two adversaries that can't be beat. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)

At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)

Bruce Willis has the build to be a plausible action hero and has a human quality that makes him a welcome change from the invincible death machines that carry similiar pictures. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)

Washington Post (Desson Thomson)

A firepowered, blood-drenched action picture that doesn't let up. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Washington Post (Desson Thomson)

DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

...practically reinvented the action thriller, or at least resuscitated a moribund genre. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

The pumped-up, high tech surprise hit of 1988; a triumph of slick direction and lowbrow thrills, marred but not spoiled by a sour aftertaste. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)

When listening to the first and middle section of the score on album, you begin to realize that the music was being carried by the film. This even includes the more creative cues, such as the fake Western-theme that Kamen conjures up to represent ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)

Steve Kong

Outside the building we have a set of stock characters, except for one. The stock characters include a bumbling police chief whose only job seems to be to act stupid and disagree with everything McClane says, a pair of dumb FBI agents whose job seems to ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Steve Kong

A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

"Die Hard" is a classic thrill ride; the pace never lets up and there are some great performances by Willis and Rickman. Action scenes are plentiful and always wild. A classic movie. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

Washington Post (Hal Hinson)

A logistical wonder, a marvel of engineering, and relentlessly, mercilessly thrilling. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Washington Post (Hal Hinson)

Variety (Staff (Not Credited))

As high tech, rock hard and souped up as an action film can be. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Variety (Staff (Not Credited))

New York Times (Caryn James)

The scenes move with such relentless energy and smashing special-effects extravagance that Die Hard turns out to be everything action-genre fans, and Bruce Willis's relieved investors, might have hoped for. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at New York Times (Caryn James)

TV Guide (Staff (Not Credited))

A triumph of slick direction and lowbrow thrills, marred but not spoiled by a sour aftertaste. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at TV Guide (Staff (Not Credited))

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

On a technical level, there's a lot to be said for Die Hard. It's when we get to some of the unnecessary adornments of the script that the movie shoots itself in the foot. ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

The idea has a certain allure to it: A cop is trapped inside a high-rise with a team of desperate terrorists. He is all that stands between them and their hostages. Give the terrorist leader brains and a personality, make one of the hostages the estranged ...read the complete Die Hard movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

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