This is definitely one of the greatest action movies of all time. One thing the film does really well—and something that seems to be missing in a lot of action movies these days—are perfect set-ups and pay-offs. Every bit of information that is established in the first act becomes a significant part of the film later—even the seemingly small details (the bare feet, Holly's decision to not use McClane as her last name, the picture frame she lays facedown, etc). It's brilliant, and it's what sets this film apart. The action is great, but the storytelling is what makes it a classic.
Exactly! The payoffs are great and well worth an over 2-hour movie because it sets those little bread crumbs up for you that seem irrelevant, but turn out to be major plot points later on. In more recent action movies, it follows a very clear cause-and-effect, where one thing happens and that has an IMMEDIATE effect on something else which means, realistically, each scene could be cut out and stand alone since it doesn't throw out the net for the longer plot into Act III.
What are your thoughts on Skyscraper (2018) with Dwayne The Rock? It's an almost exact replica of the premise of Die Hard but it doesn't have the same charm imo.
Right! It feels like writers are sometimes overeager to give the audience instant gratification, so they pay things off immediately instead of letting it stew. 'Just Write' talks about a recent example of this in 'Black Widow' in this video (starts at around 10:15): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGy0aUsyq6I
I never got around to seeing Skyscraper, but it would be interesting to compare and contrast them.
Oof, the epidemic of the franchise. Where what sells is things that can last almost forever with little to no care about the actual creative process or the story being told. I love that channel though! I should really take its titular advice but as a protagonist in my own silly little sitcom of a life, I am my own main source of conflict LMAO
This is definitely one of the greatest action movies of all time. One thing the film does really well—and something that seems to be missing in a lot of action movies these days—are perfect set-ups and pay-offs. Every bit of information that is established in the first act becomes a significant part of the film later—even the seemingly small details (the bare feet, Holly's decision to not use McClane as her last name, the picture frame she lays facedown, etc). It's brilliant, and it's what sets this film apart. The action is great, but the storytelling is what makes it a classic.
Exactly! The payoffs are great and well worth an over 2-hour movie because it sets those little bread crumbs up for you that seem irrelevant, but turn out to be major plot points later on. In more recent action movies, it follows a very clear cause-and-effect, where one thing happens and that has an IMMEDIATE effect on something else which means, realistically, each scene could be cut out and stand alone since it doesn't throw out the net for the longer plot into Act III.
What are your thoughts on Skyscraper (2018) with Dwayne The Rock? It's an almost exact replica of the premise of Die Hard but it doesn't have the same charm imo.
Right! It feels like writers are sometimes overeager to give the audience instant gratification, so they pay things off immediately instead of letting it stew. 'Just Write' talks about a recent example of this in 'Black Widow' in this video (starts at around 10:15): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGy0aUsyq6I
I never got around to seeing Skyscraper, but it would be interesting to compare and contrast them.
Oof, the epidemic of the franchise. Where what sells is things that can last almost forever with little to no care about the actual creative process or the story being told. I love that channel though! I should really take its titular advice but as a protagonist in my own silly little sitcom of a life, I am my own main source of conflict LMAO
Lol we are all our own antagonists for sure