“Die Hard” is an example of the perfect action film. Although it is just a straight-up action flick it is does so exceptionally well that even if you’re not a big action movie fan you’re still going to love this one.

In “Die Hard”, N.Y.P.D. officer John McClane (Bruce Willis “The Sixth Sense”, “Hudson Hawk”) comes to visit his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia “Presumed Innocent”) during the Christmas season. Terrorist take-over the skyscraper where a party is being held forcing McClane into danger. With no real help coming from outside the building it’s up to McClane to save the day.

Bruce Willis is one of the greatest action movie stars for a number of reasons. He has more personality than Arnold Schwarzenegger (“Commando”), Sylvester Stallone (“First Blood”) or Clint Eastwood (“The Enforcer”). Willis likes to play ordinary guys as well; he’s never some elite commando or a cyborg from the future. He’s also is famed for adding bits of dialog that weren’t present in the script. Alan Rickman (“Galaxy Quest”) is good as the leader of the terrorists Hans Gruber. I love the conversations and interactions McClane and Gruber have throughout the film. The other cast members are alright but they’re not exceptional.

“Die Hard” never really stops once it gets going because as soon as one problem is dealt with, the hero immediately faces a new obstacle. It’s like a train with once it gets going it never slows down until the journey is over and we the viewers are the passengers. “Die Hard” is explosive, fun, thrilling and has you on the edge of your seat because it isn’t just an action movie, it’s the action movie… it isn’t all that bad at being at Christmas movie either so I guess you’re getting a two-for-one deal with “Die Hard”.