Die Hard (1988) - First Time Reaction - Christmas Movie or NOT a Christmas Movie?

[@nascreates3392]

No one thought it was going to be a big deal, especially since Bruce Willis was a sitcom actor. Boy, were they wrong.

[@paulockenden4278]

This is not just a Christmas Movie it is an EXCEPTIONAL Christmas Movie.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

I see what you did there....

[@Zebred2001]

And since I'm moving up to New Years you should be a little more festive!

[@ryanmckenna3503]

Please don't forget that they'd never cast Alan Rickman as Snape unless he was this perfect as Hans Gruber. My favorite actor of all time and that was decided long before Snape existed. This was his first movie because he was a theater legend. I'll shut up now.

[@markdenio4537]

They told Alan Rickman they'd drop him on the count of 3. They dropped him on 2 so his surprised look was real.

[@jkhoover]

Trust us. There's only 3 more Die Hard movies after this one. There is no Die Hard 5. Pretend you never saw that, and we'll all be happier.

[@markdenio4537]

Seconded. It went down the memory hole.

[@LOTRFAN33]

I would argue only 3 total, but 4 was serviceable.

[@darkhorse1280]

@@LOTRFAN33 Agreed. Live Free or Die Hard wasn't bad, it just didn't feel like a Die Hard film.

[@terryv2006]

Tru Dat!

[@jfg1356]

oh and BTW the tall long blond haired bad guy was a Russian ballet dancer with the Bolshoi before he defected to America

[@USCFlash]

Unfortunately he met a very sad and very early end.

[@jfg1356]

@@USCFlash yes - 45 years old according to the google machine

[@jasnycal]

This is what made the great alan rickman, I know you guys were not even born before this came out.

[@sp72929]

This was Alan Rickman's first movie believe it or not 😅. Coming from theater and completely oblivious to the workings of Hollywood he started to suggest that having so many thugs there is no need for him to wear fighting gear (as it was planned) and if he would wear a suit there might be a possibility to meet with his opponent undetected.... When they started shooting he has a suit and there was a new scene added 😅 - The rest is history 😂. He definitely made an impression! Btw. If you look closely they never really show his face when he is shooting because he could not stop flinching! 😂 I just love Alan Rickman in every role he played - he was such an unique actor with an absolutely gorgeous voice.

[@jfg1356]

"what is he going to do against all of these guys?!" -- and THAT is what the whole movie is about... a groundbreaking blockbuster... massive massive levels of action with a hero that gets hurt a lot... great film

[@beachem1]

It’s just not Christmas until we see Hans Gruber falling off Nakatomi Tower 😊

[@DiggitySlice]

Oliver not knowing that the man himself is in this movie, and as the main villain no less is *chef's kiss*

[@alancoy5305]

A fantastic film with a fantastic antagonist. Alan Rickman is magnificent as Hans Gruber. A great ride. It has three great sequels: Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990), Die Hard with A Veangeance (1995) and Live Free or Die Hard (2007) I highly recommend them. Also, if you both want to do a funny one with Alan Rickman. I recommend "Galaxy Quest" a great 1999 Comedy. Rickman stars with Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shaloub and Sam Rockwell. A very funny love letter parody of Star Trek. Great reaction Oliver and Kylie!

[@rburn99]

Ever see The Breakfast Club? The deputy chief is the antagonist in that one.

[@pomztoybox6877]

Another Alan Rickman villain film you might enjoy is 'Quigley Down Under' starring Tom Selleck. Rickman really sells the evil on that one.

[@CoastalNomad]

Agree..... "Quigley Down Under" was when I took notice of Alan Rickman..... Another Early Alan Rickman movie is "The January Man" He plays a side Character named "Ed".......

[@BruceJohnson-om5kl]

Elevator explosion was minimum damage. The eruption is blowback there no oxygen in the shaft so that why the blowback was shooting upwards.

[@Man_The_Machines]

IMHO …Alan Rickman’s best roll is ‘Galaxy Quest’. its a funny asf!

[@runshouse]

That Snape high five was everything.

[@ImOutOfMtDew]

The cop also played Carl Winslow from the show Family Matters. RIP

[@rodneybray5827]

Why did John not shoot Hans right away? There are rules for policemen. Any decent cop (not dirty) wouldn't shoot someone unarmed. It's completely against his nature. Also the scene under the table "when you get a chance to kill someone, do it" highlights he's not a cold blooded killer.

[@mj6866]

McClane is a New York City cop with at least 10 years on the force, so he is at least half way to getting a pension. Having a good pension is HUGE. Mandatory retirement for an NYC police officer is 63. While McClane's wife certainly made more money, starting over in LA would really mess up McClane's career and retirement.

[@johnmaynardable]

The director of photography on this film is Jan de Bont. He would go on to direct Speed in a few years after this film. If you haven't seen Speed add that to your list.

[@USCFlash]

Funny to see the touch screen at Nakatomi Plaza and remember that was groundbreaking in those days. I remember the first time I used the ATM with a touch screen back then. So awesome. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesaaronsmith6747]

So to answer 2 of your questions john didn't shot hans right away because as a police officer killing is a last resort. And the guy was Carl's brother the one hung up on the chains if you look closely he got one of his hands between the chain and his neck, only reason he didn't get loose earlier was he was knocked out hitting the wall.

[@protovision2010]

fantastic movie + reaction! I went and saw this a bunch of times in theaters back in '88. Director John McTiernan made a bunch of GREAT movies in the 80s/90s: Predator (1987), Die Hard (1988), The Hunt for Red October(1990), and The 13th Warrior(1999) 👍

[@ianhill8345]

Great reaction Oliver and Kylie to a christmas classic, Big thumbs up

[@MrYoup11]

If you haven't seen Galaxy Quest, Allan Rickman is Great in that one. You should recognize quite a few actors in it.

[@anomalysakawendy5096]

I used to have to relay papers for work to one of the upper floors of this building in Century City, CA. (It was Fox Plaza then.) Everyone still refered to it, colloquially, as the Die Hard building.

[@harveybojangle475]

You expect John to suddenly become a thief and pick up some bonds at the end of the movie? He’s the good guy, remember? 😂

[@eileenmiller4685]

This was Alan Rickman's first major film. He'd done TV stuff before that. Also, you should definitely at least watch the 2nd Die Hard. It's my favorite one. :D Just got to the end of your video where you say this is the first non-Harry Potter thing you've seen Alan Rickman in.....you should DEFINITELY look up Galaxy Quest. :D Also, Sense and Sensibility (my favorite of his films).

[@rodneybray5827]

I watched this first run in the theater with my girlfriend, fiance and eventual first wife back in '88 and I was 19. Fun watching two similar people watch this for the first time. In my area, this is one of the movies you can occasionally catch at the theater in a throwback run. Worth it. I also like that, unlike too many reactors, you tend to understand what you are seeing. As a Rickman fan, you have to see Quigley Down Under, another great movie from the '90 and cements Rickman as a villain.

[@PaulWinkle]

The MP5 which he clamped to the edge of the hatch is Made in Germany dont worry, but the rifle sling was from China :)

[@sandrasullivan7247]

The bonds falling at the end was the Christmas snow .

[@paulockenden4278]

Glad you noticed the Stranger Things homage to this movie

[@candicelitrenta8890]

Alan Rickman originally did not want to play the villain. This would be his first time on film as he was a theater actor and did not want to be typecast as the bad guy for his film career

[@conniegaylord5206]

FYI: John has a Special Forces tattoo on his arm. 😜

[@illustrated__man]

A timeless classic.. a titan of cinema, really - a somewhat schlocky titan, sure, but a titan none the less. The 2nd movie is a blast, and the 3rd ones pretty awesome as well - might want to give those a whirl one day, either on here or in private.

[@gregkirby9059]

YES this is a CHRISTMAS movie here are the FACTS. 1.Johns wife name is HOLLY 2.Takes place on Christmas EVE 3.Christmas is mentioned more then once 4.All the music played in the movie is a Christmas song 5.There are Christmas TREES 6.There are Christmas DECORE 7.There is a Office Christmas party 8.There are Christmas references like A.Santa B.Ebenzer Scrooge C.Presents D.HO-HO-HO is written E.Miracles is mentioned 9.There are Christmas Presents 10.Movie ends on Christmas morning 11.Has Christmas family spirit 12.Has Christmas wrapping tape

[@ThePharaz]

You need to watch DIE HARD 2 (1990) cause it is a Christmas movie. Pensions and ranks and stuff don't generally transfer to other states for cops. After this movie, Reginald VelJohnson who plays the cop who does the driveby plays a cop in the TV series Family Matters from 1989-1998. The building is in California so it has to be built to withstand some level of earthquakes so what's a little C4? He's wearing bear feet? So does that mean the stuffed bear is barefoot?

[@roger3141]

What a wonderful reaction, you made watching this movie almost new!

[@Zebred2001]

I am so impressed by both of your intelligent and fully-engaged commentaries. Stockholm syndrome doesn't really apply to that scene. John didn't kill Hans because he basically thought he had captured the ringleader. Immediately the henchmen came in firing so John just defended himself with return fire. It was just a case of self preservation and adrenaline, not much thought. The guy who came out and tried to kill John at the end was the same guy he hanged from the chain. BTW - I might possibly be the guy who started the whole Christmas movie or not debate. Sometime in the early 90's when Die Hard had faded I went into a video store before Christmas. I made a joke to my girlfriend that we should rent Die Hard for a Christmas movie. I for one thought it was funny so it became a standard seasonal joke to loudly say this in the video rental store. A couple of years after that I started to hear about the debate. Maybe it occurred to others also but someone had to have started it!

[@rburn99]

This Die Hard Christmas advent calendar is awesome :D (spoiler): kzbin.infovkd0YADZYrY

[@dudieb]

Great all time classic. The “yippee ki yay” line is right up there with “I’ll be back” and like Terminator one of the few movies where the 2nd movie was as good as the first. I can"t advise you on the others because I never watched them. I really miss Rickman. We lost him too soon.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

Is the third book really coming out this summer? I still haven't recovered from Patrick Rothfuss failing to release the third book in his Kingkiller Chronicle over the past 17+ years! Leads to a lot of reluctance to buy a partial series! 😅😬🥴🥺

[@OliverandKylie]

I'm a Name of the Wind fan too and I would never do that to you! The book is finished, the June 21st release date is a little Easter Egg in the series

[@cobbycaputo3332]

@ good to hear! Honestly, Name of the Wind is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. and The Slow Regard of Silent Things is also a wonderful piece of writing. But at this point, i have given up on the series. Good to hear your is actually really totally done! I've been pondering reading the series.

[@danjennings8899]

when did Frank Caliendo get a reaction channel?

[@OliverandKylie]

LOL

[@teec.1380]

I love this movie!!! Bruce Willis was the MAN in the 80s!!!... Hope you guys ENJOY!!!

[@OliverandKylie]

Good Morning Brother! I hope we get to watch more Bruce Willis movies on this channel

[@alancoy5305]

​@@OliverandKylie If you want to see Bruce Willis in a Comedy, I recommend "Blind Date" from 1987. It is by the late and great Blake Edwards, who created The Pink Panther Cartoon Series. It is uproaringly funny! Willis stars with Kim Basinger, John Larroquette and the late Phil Hartman.

[@jamesdamiano8894]

I don’t know why people always say there’s no Die Hard 5. It’s literally called A Good Day To Die Hard. It’s a different director and no where as good as the others by a long shot. But it’s still called Die Hard and features Bruce as John Mclane. You can hate on it for sure, but it’s disingenuous to say it doesn’t exist. Check out the other ones for sure and disregard that one but don’t be lied to. The fourth one for some reason has a bit of a bad rap, but it’s a lot of fun. One of the original and awesome high building falls was in an older Burt Reynolds movie called Sharkey’s Machine. One glating inconsistency in this movie though is John couldn’t shatter the window worth a damn but at the end Hans crashes through it so easily. FYI Kylie, they were bearer bonds meaning whoever holds them can cash them in, so people definitely could have grabbed some. A great abrupt ending movie is An American Werewolf In London.

[@shamenbilly]

Gavin Newsom played himself in this movie - you missed a spot

[@Otokichi786]

This song sums up "John McClane" and "Holly Gennaro": kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYqrnZh8e82ffM0 Bruce Willis' "John McClane" isn't the usual 1980's Action movie hero. He isn't a muscle-bound Rambo clone, sits in the FRONT seat of Argyle's limousine, has moments of Fear/Uncertainty/Introspection, takes damage, and is "dead man walking" by the last quarter of the movie. These character traits appeals to men and women. Hence the meme: "Christmas doesn't begin until Hans Gruber falls off the Nakatomi Plaza building. Cultural note: "Gene Belcher" of "Bob's Burgers": Why is no one singing? Why is no one dancing? Die Hard: The Musical! 12:44 Look, it's Dr. Lazarus!;)

[@ninaclausen5467]

Great reaction 👍 I would definitely watch all five of them 🤩

[@3DJapan]

I just took down my Christmas tree. Haha

[@Umptyscope]

Never noticed the hostage getting thunked in the head with debris 58:55

[@ejofreak1]

This was Alan Rickman's first movie in America.

[@ImOutOfMtDew]

I think Die Hard is the 2nd greatest action movie of all time behind Terminator 2.

[@leroypaulsen4566]

7:08 smart man. I know EXACTLY what that thought was, and it's good you didn't say it out loud...but you are right.

[@watchreadplayretro]

"I wanna see him without his shoes now" well funny you should say that (at just 3 mins in!) And I've seen some gasps and excited reactions to Alan Rickman's name in the credits (or his face if they didn't know his name) but never have I seen such a wow reaction; a WOW reaction even! Fantastic, and going into this NOT knowing 'Snape' is one of if not THE best adversaries in cinema history. I'll shut up now and watch the rest of this, but you guys are great, thanks for a magical semi-return of Christmas right when middle of January was kinda getting boring! :)

[@watchreadplayretro]

Uh, wait! I interject. "I mean it is titled 'Die "HARD"' lol oh jeesh, had you said this decades ago I think that would have made me laugh at every mention of it and whenever a sequel 'came' (sorry!) out. Wow, I had never even thought of it that way! rofl

[@PatrickPrejusa]

ITS JUST OFFICE PAPER FALLING AT THE END, THE BONDS WERE PACKED UP AND HAILD TO RGR GARADE, MOST OF THEM.

[@clairealderwood1928]

You need to understand the culture at the time this movie was made. Women weren’t normally the primary bread winners. Women still had traditional roles. If they worked outside the home it was supplemental income.

[@steveleslie2170]

35:14 I heard that the stealing of the candy bar was adlibbed by the actor...not 100% sure though.

[@ImOutOfMtDew]

Yep you are correct.

[@rocko0o]

rocket ammunition isn't a thing. the rocket is the ammunition for a rocket launcher. idk that made me laugh so much when u said it but great video!

[@fionnmaccumhaill3257]

NOT a Christmas movie.

[@CoastalNomad]

Die Hard is a Christmas Movie!!!...... Spoiler Alert: Only Die Hard 1&2 happen at Christmas....... So can watch the others at any time.... The Script is based on the 1979 novel, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, which was a sequel to THE DETECTIVE, which starred Frank Sinatra in 1968. This Movie has some Firsts: - First Action Movie role for Bruce Willis, before this he played on a TV Comedy called "Moolighting" - First Hollywood Movie Role for Alan Rickman, He was nervous about playing a villian in his first movie being the villian, He almost turned down the role... Other Early Alan Movies "Quigley Down Under," "January Man," "Robin Hood: Prince of Theives"..... Line up of actors seen in other projects: - Bonnie Bedelia (Holly Gennero/McLane) Played the lead in "Heart Like a Wheel" the Shirley Muldowney Story, - Reginald VelJohnson (Sgt Powell) later played the father on TV show "Family Matters" - Clarance Gilyard (Theo the Hacker) Prior he had played "Merlin" in "Top Gun" 1986, And after Played Ranger JJ Trivette on TV's "Walker Texas Ranger" with Chuck Norris, - Alexander Godunov (Karl) Played a composer in "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks & Shelley Long, and an Amish Person in "Witness" - Paul Gleason (Assist Chief of Police Robinson), was the Assistant Principal in "The Breakfast Club" - William Atherton (News reporter Thornton) Played the "EPA Inspector" that turned off the Ghost Containment Unit in "Ghostbusters" - Robert Davi (FBI Agent Johnson (other one)) Played a Goon in Goonies, and other Parts, - Grand L Bush (FBI Agent Johnson) Played in Lethal Weapon 1 & 2 - Mary Ellen Trainor (Blonde Newscaster) Played Physcologist in Lethal Weapon (1-4) Other Info/References: - Phrases "Yippie Ki Yi Ya" and "Happy Trails" come from songs Roy Rogers sang in his Movies/TV Show..... - For the "Drop scene" they told Alan they were gonna drop him (he was in a safety harness) on a counted number (I've heard both 3 & 5) and they dropped him early to get the shear panic reaction..... - I heard, the "Bill Clay" scene was added after they started shooting and found out how good Alan was with mimiciking accents..... - Not hearing the sound of gunfire - 30 stories at 10 feet a story would be 300 feet in the air then add in the contruction Materials to deaden the sound.... - Not seeing the gunfire on roof of building, Building that tall have strobes and marker lights on the Roof, so aircraft don't run into them..... - Sentimental moment of this movie...... When Sgt Al Powell Exits the Convience store and looks at Nakatomi Plaza...... Gas is advertized at 74 Cents a Gallon in California......

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

gorgeous girl

[@aranerem5569]

The best Christmas movie

[@P-M-869]

I prefer Bruce's movie "RED".

[@alancoy5305]

That is a great film!

[@kunserndsittizen2655]

NOT a Christmas movie. If you want to consider it a Christmas movie you can but it was released in summer and you can watch it anytime without feeling weird

[@BruceJohnson-om5kl]

The best one is DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE, by far. Wait until you watch it 😁✌🏿

[@watchreadplayretro]

I'm sure others have mentioned the original book. I've yet to read it, perhaps a cheeky rental from inter... archive but I would love to own it. I got Terminator book and that set me back a fair price, so perhaps for Xmas 2025 I'll finally treat mysef to Thorp's two books (because DH2 was also based on his book 58 Minutes which I didn't know until recnetly) anyway thanks again guys, life came up so it's taken me 2h to watch this through but that was fantastic! :)

[@mikeh8416]

Dude, if you hurt your shoulder doing a high 5, you MIGHT want to work out a bit more 🤣

[@craigsolano8812]

Great reaction! One if the best action movies if all-time. Still! Can't believe this movie still is this good after all these years. They don't make movies like this anymore. Subscribed 🎉 ! You two would be great to watch react to Star Wars if you are noobs to that? Star Wars watch order: 4, 5, 6. Then, 1, 2, 3. The. Rogue One.

[@williamr9537]

You need to check out Galaxy Quest a comedy and homage to sci-fi shows like Star Trek with Alan Rickman. Another sci-fi comedy that is that is not run of the mill staring Bruce Willis to watch is The Fifth Element.

[@stanleydavidlepretre4241]

Wow I'd hate to be in the same movie theater as you. Trying to watch the film and there you are constantly talking

[@anomalysakawendy5096]

Christmas movie. Because the Christmas theme is so interwoven. John only came out to visit because it's Christmas. From the party to the Ho Ho Ho to the music to the Christmas bonus Rolex. It's more than just background... it's plot points. Squishing your toes in fluffy carpet is actually pleasant. Has to be higher pile carpet though.

[@locustjohn3865]

Because the only reason an estranged husband would visit his wife and kids is because it's Christmas. "Do you want to come out and see the kids, maybe talk about getting back together?" "Sorry, no can do. It's only April. Gotta wait a few months." Christmas could be completely removed from the movie, and except for minor details like music, the movie wouldn't be different.

[@anomalysakawendy5096]

Well it's been 6 months and this is his first visit. Because Christmas makes it an automatic 'can't make any more excuses' time. Take out all the Xmas threads... and it makes it less impactful, with more forced reasoning for everything. Christmas ties it together. You can classify it as you like... doesn't make it *not* a Christmas movie to me.

[@locustjohn3865]

NOT a Christmas movie. Just taking place during Christmas doesn't make a Christmas movie.

[@ImOutOfMtDew]

Exactly. The movie is not about Christmas.

[@USCFlash]

Yes....love Die Hard was 17 when this came out. Fun days. You guys can avoid the remaining Die Hard movies...they are a series of very diminishing returns. Maybe watch them in a few years or something. Tons of better movies than them. After seeing this one, you have seen the apex.

[@cesj81]

Kylie, this is in no way an insult, so I hope you do not take it that way, but you kind of remind me of Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay) from 'Friends'.

[@davide1980BoIT]

Guys, I hope you’ll watch the first 4 movies, they’re all great (above all the third one, very funny).

[@ben_spiller]

After Stranger Things, you guys should watch Family Matters!

[@CinemaCynic_]

My trilogy: Die Hard Die Hard with a Vengeance The Fifth Element

[@ptsteelers]

My feeling, and most people disagree with me, but my feeling has always been that Die Hard is NOT a Christmas movie. Anymore than Jaws being a 4th of July movie ;)

[@markdenio4537]

I understand. You need an occasion where the building would be mostly empty so the hostages are controllable and provide credence to the getaway plan. FInd that and you have a "fill in the blank" movie.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

But Die Hard has a lot of Christmas-y themes, like families reconciling, second chances, and the words "ho, ho, ho" used in a sentence. although it came out in the summer (my friends and I saw it four time sin the theater), I always noted the Christmas elements, even in 100 degree Dallas heat. For me it's not officially Christmas until I watch Elf with my grandson, A Christmas Story with my wife, and Die Hard while I'm cooking.

[@eileenmiller4685]

Die Hard is DEFINITELY a Christmas movie. That's well established by the people who actually made it.

[@ptsteelers]

@@cobbycaputo3332 ​ Oh no, I understand I pretty much stand alone on this hill (or with a others, I suppose), And while I think A Christmas Story is the premiere Christmas movie, Die Hard does not and has never fit into that. I mean, technically Die Hard 2 also fits the bill as it occurred, in a snow storm, on Christmas Eve, with family reuniting, and has similar, very similar touchpoints, but rarely is that called a Christmas movie. But hey, I am not trying to take the feeling away from you (or anyone else). I say, if it is a Christmas movie to you, that is all that matters :) EDIT - I can't spell haha

[@ptsteelers]

@@eileenmiller4685 Haha, well, sure they have. They want it to be watched every year like Rudolph and every other Christmas movie. :)

[@333Ocsis]

Take this advice from a subscriber, who want's your channel to do well, or not. 1) Stop talking over the dialogue. 2) Constantly guessing what the characters are going to do, or why they are doing what they are doing, is annoying. 3) The characters don't need your guidance on what to do, they've already done it.

[@ravenslight2549]

Comments like this piss me right off.

[@petercofrancesco9812]

This cleverly disguised romance...between Al and Roy (bro-mance)

[@JamesMcGillicuddy-bb6rg]

Please stop smoking cigarettes.

[@duckydewer]

Three is better than 2, and 4 is great, but after that, don't bother...