177 of 1001 Movies: Die Hard (1988)

I guess after you make a flop like Rollerball your career goes away after that, as John McTiernan only made one movie since that one. Before that disaster though, he directed Die Hard. I've got to say I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. It is an action film that relies on a lot more action effects that seem natural since CGI wasn't overused in those days since it usually didn't look good. Instead real explosions, lots of stunts, fighting, and pretty colors highlight this film, and make it a definite action classic.

Summary: John McClane has traveled from New York where he has a job with the NYPD, to visit his wife and kids who have moved to California for her job. Her new job being at a distance, and him wanting to continue to reside in New York has caused some friction between the two.  He hopes they can reconcile on this visit though during Christmas. When he gets there though he doesn't get to chat with her long as the office is taken over by foreign terrorist, Hans Gruber, who is out to get the money there. Now the Christmas Party has been interrupted with violence and chaos, and John is the only hope that any of the hostages inside have of escaping the carnage.