Yipee-ki-yay, Santa: Why is Die Hard a Christmas classic?

It’s the season of giving. ‘Tis the season of merriment, eggnog and black-and-white films with encouraging messages. ‘Tis the season of Rudolphs, carols, holy evenings and yuppie-pee-pee, mother… yes! ‘Tis the season for the most unexpectedly heartfelt and comforting Christmas movie of all time: die Hard. Every year we hear the same discourse of Fr die Hard. Is it a Christmas movie? It didn’t? Everyone has their own opinion. Even Bruce Willis weighed in on the debate during his profane and matter-of-fact monologue at his 2018 Comedy Central Roast.

Yes, the conversation that surrounds die Hard is intense, without a side that wants to give in. Those who defend its status as an action masterpiece seem to find comparisons to Christmas offensive; Christmas movies are safe and traditional, stuff die Hard it is not.

On the other hand, Christmas apologists often point out the obvious: it’s a movie that takes place on Christmas Eve, so it’s a Christmas movie. That argument is somewhat absurd; the year of the Lord is 2022 and we can all agree on that die HardIts significance goes beyond its basic premise. It is now a modern classic with a reputation that far exceeds its original purpose. And while it may not fit our idea of ​​a cozy Christmas movie, die Hard it has a place in our December calendar, and it’s not hard to see why.

How Bruce Willis Saved Christmas

Bruce Willis crawls through an opening in Die Hard.Studies of the 20th century

Like an all-time cinematic classic, die Hard he’s got a life of his own now, and boxing himself up to fit some tired stereotype of what he should look like isn’t helping anyone, especially when his initial success came from how different he was from everything that came before him. truth, die Hard is one of cinema’s best feel-good films, a cheerful triumph disguised as hard-hitting action. Yes, it has excessive action and excitement, but it also has something that few action movies have: heart. It has heart to spare, and it’s all thanks to the leading man in the middle.

Bruce Willis has an impressive filmography that many actors would kill for, but die Hard remains probably his most recognizable project. This made him a household name and launched his career as a leading man. The film also redefined the concept of the leading action man and cemented Willis as the ultimate everyday hero who can single-handedly save the floor. Willis gives die Hard a spark of energy and charm that no other actor can have. Unlike Schwarzenegger or Stallone, Willis isn’t a massive wall of pulsating muscles that brute force their way through enemy lines. His McClane is more down-to-earth, even relatable, the embodiment of an ordinary man in an extraordinary world.

Die hard | The Greatest Christmas Story | 20th century FOX

That warmth that Willis brings to the table makes what he does die Hard more than the average action vehicle. John McClane would be one-note and maybe even boring in less capable hands. But Willis is a spitfire, an energetic and unstoppable tornado of wit and charm who never lets the mood sour. His McClane is tough but surprisingly adorable, even when he’s killing villains. Especially when they kill the bad guys. And you need that charm because die Hard it’s the right thing to do.

If we think about our favorite Christmas movies, we can see recurring themes — kindness, selflessness, family, empathy. All of these are present in die Hard more than in any other action movie. McClane is a family man in search of justice, risking his life to protect others. It is a story as old as time, as old as the first story, and the audience can see the real message of the film through the spectacle. It took the right actor to convey this everyday excellence, and Willis nailed it. In his hands, McClane is the ideal hero, not because of what he does, but because of why he does it.

The perfect feel-good movie

John McClane peeks out from behind a wall in Die HardImage used with permission of the copyright holder

Feel-good movies come in all shapes and sizes. Some are romantic comedies, some are family adventures, and some even spend most of their duration as heavy dramas. But the end is always encouraging, inspiring, a conclusion strong enough to restore our faith in humanity. In a sense, most action movies are feel-good movies; all end in a cathartic explosion, whether in the form of righteous revenge or cosmic justice. And who doesn’t cheer when Bruce Willis shoots the villain? Who doesn’t laugh when Alan Rickman’s evil Hans Gruber, die HardThe answer to Mr. Potter – irony not lost on anyone – gets his punishment or when McClane gives Sergeant Powell a telling smile?

That, die Hard is all about those warm and fuzzy feelings. So what if they come from German radicals who die on Christmas Eve? Fuzzy feelings are fuzzy feelings! And on Christmas, all we want is feel something. Gloom and doom have no place on our Christmas watch list — there’s already enough of that in the world.

Christmas movies are a genre of their own and are easily recognizable. There are also movies that we watch at Christmas that don’t necessarily have a tree with presents. For a film to succeed as a Christmas party, it has to send the right message; it’s about the content, not the setting. Sure, snow and blankets help, but Christmas isn’t all about wrapping. At least not only about that. die Hard is the perfect Christmas gift. It has a big red bow that makes it immediately stand out among the pile of shiny boxes under the pine tree. However, as with the best Christmas gifts, it’s what’s inside that counts.

We need some Die Hard

Al Powell and John McClane look in the same direction in Die Hard.Image used with permission of the copyright holder

I think it’s safe to say die Hard is not Christmas movie. For starters, it came out July, not December, which means it never tried to win over the holiday crowd. Second, Christmas is just a backdrop, a framing device instead of an element vital to the plot. And while it contains many elements to please, they serve its genre rather than trying to capture the well-known Christmas cheer. And yet, it is undeniable die Hard is a Christmas classic, which is undoubtedly more important. Although these two concepts sound similar, I don’t think they are, and die Hard is a perfect example. Bruce was right; it’s not a Christmas movie. But that won’t stop anyone from gathering around a cozy fire and watching it on Christmas Day. Some movies surpass their original intent and become more than they intended.

Die Hard 2 (1990) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

die Hard is violent, irreverent, profane and exciting, which are not necessarily the things usually associated with the most wonderful time of the year.

And yet we need some die Hard in our holiday season. Who wants everything to be white, especially when a little red is essential for a perfect Christmas? That’s right die Hard Christmas movie? Basically, who cares? This is about the classics, and only a few have managed to beat John McClane. So grab a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa. It is die Hard time! Find out where to stream die Hard here.

Editor’s recommendations

Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn

Leave a Comment