Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Preceded by: Die Hard 2 (1990)
Succeeded by: Die Hard 4.0 (2007)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
John McClane	Bruce Willis
Simon	Jeremy Irons
Zeus	Samuel L. Jackson
Joe Lambert	Graham Greene	½
Connie Kowalski	Colleen Camp	-
Arthur Cobb	Larry Bryggman
Katya	Sam Phillips

Review

It’s the mid 1990s, the golden age of modern American cinema, and even a third entry in one of the most commercially successful action movie franchises is made with creativity and top-notch craftsmanship. This second sequel opens wonderfully with The Lovin’ Spoonful’s "Summer in the City" and a superb, large-scale non-CGI explosion in the middle of NYC, which sets the standard. When original director John McTiernan shortly after (re)introduces a sarcastic, bloodshot John McClane (Bruce Willis in top form), his grudging everyman partner Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson in one of his most relatable parts), and Jeremy Irons as the delightfully larger-than-life villain Simon, the foundation is laid for one of the most enjoyable entries in this genre. The premise is clever, too. Written by Jonathan Hensleigh, originally for another project, it finds the balance between the fun offered by the crazed mastermind pulling the strings and the logic needed for it all to work as a relatively believable action yarn. Granted, it does dry up a little towards the end, and perhaps the mastermind wasn't that brilliant after all. And yes, all his buddies look and talk like Cold War leftovers. But heck, it was still the 20th century for a few more years.