DIE HARD 2: Die Harder (1990) Retrospective / Review

DIE HARD 2: Die Harder (1990) Retrospective / Review
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[@mattrmsf]

"Die Hard in the hands of Disney." Such a phrase indeed shows we are in the end times.

[@jp3813]

Not when you remember Touchstone/Hollywood/Buena Vista Pictures, which released many Jerry Bruckheimer productions such as Crimson Tide, The Rock, Con Air, Enemy of the State, etc...

[@Banjo-Oz]

I think it's more correct to say "in the hands of TODAY'S Disney" is what makes it sad/worrying. I still can't believe those assholes own Aliens now.

[@Climinator-op6kh]

The part, right after the Passenger Flight crash, when Colonel Stewart says 'We've got you.' as he's listening to all the screams of the people onboard sends chills down my back. Sadler's performance is as great as Rickman's.

[@Takeshi357]

Great performance yes but he isn't written very well. His villainy borders into outright sadism at times which makes him come across as too much of a cartoon character, compared to Hans Gruber who felt more real and human.

[@Climinator-op6kh]

@@Takeshi357 I see what you are saying but I feel that makes him more unique compared to latter Die Hard villains. Heck I feel even Simon comes across as a Hans rehash.

[@cockerpoodles1238]

@@Takeshi357 Yeah but they went too far the other way with Simon in the third film. He was all likability and humor without the threat and danger.

[@cockerpoodles1238]

@@Climinator-op6kh Not only was Simon a Hans rehash, but they went too far the other way with him. The humor and likability was taken too far to the point where he didn't seem like a threat compared to Hans and Stuart. While Hans could be amusing and likable, he was very much a bad guy that was actually going to murder the 30 hostages in cold blood! And Colonel Stuart was the most dangerous villain in the whole series. Simon never seems capable of anything like that....the school bomb is fake and they even make it clear that the subway one didn't cause much harm. And like Hans, he's just another thief. Stuart had an actual agenda in wanting to free the general. And they went in such a cheesy direction with ants go marching in the background, lines such as "holy toledo, somebody had fun" and "oh I think we'll go straight to withdrawal." And they are done in such an over the top way compared to Alan Rickman's dry delivery of lines like "he won't be joining us for the rest of his life."

[@Climinator-op6kh]

@@cockerpoodles1238 I agree.

[@8ulls3y3]

Franco Nero not only appeared in Django Unchained, he was the original Django in the 1966 movie.

[@ninfilms]

Franco Nero is a legend. He is great in the 70s Italian crime cinema.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Franco Nero's appearance in Django Unchained was only a cameo.

[@Banjo-Oz]

Watching this today having not seen the actual movie in about ten years, and I had never realised "Django" played the dictator guy Bill Sadler was trying to rescue, nor did I remember that McDowell from Coming to America (which I've seen countless times) was the head commando doublecrosser! I really need to see Die Hard 2 again now!

[@thegadflygang5381]

@@danielwilliamson6180 Screw that Django garbage, Franco was thee Italian hearthrob but only has one film which really matters as far as I am concerned. The Cannon classic ENTER THE NINJA.

[@michaelpeacock4228]

I'm never going to rank this above the first Die Hard, but this is easily my favorite of all the sequels.

[@dinorocker8647]

Absolutely, I agree, it's the only GREAT SEQUEL.

[@cockerpoodles1238]

@@dinorocker8647 It was the only sequel we needed really.

[@dinorocker8647]

@@cockerpoodles1238 Exactly my point.

[@BNGamesYT]

This is exactly how I feel

[@Marvdogger2]

The first three are a great trilogy. The later two could have been any old action films, watering them down for PG-13 ratings and making Willis a superman was a huge mistake.

[@CasperTheCoolCat]

Agree.

[@riverman83]

Fourth one was fine, not as good as the first ones but ok. The fifth one was a disaster.

[@shadowleon659]

This is easily the most underrated film in the franchise and one of the most underrated action movie sequels of all time.

[@workonesabs]

will watch it later on bluray...

[@jwnj9716]

Hell yeah.

[@Bale4Bond]

I'd argue that it almost reaches the quality of the original. It is lightyears better than the, in my opinion, overrated third outing.

[@shadowleon659]

@@Bale4Bond Die Hard 3 is actually my favourite Die Hard film.

[@jothishprabu8]

@@Bale4Bond die-hard 3 is a masterpiece!

[@jp3813]

Screen Junkies did a couple of "Honest Action" videos for this franchise, and it was determined that McClane's chances of survival was actually at its most plausible in DH2. It also has one of the greatest finales ever. Throughout the movie, the villains are always ahead of the protagonist. Even though McClane makes progress w/ each action scene, all of them (prior to the climax) ends w/ a trade-off of him losing: no one was left to interrogate after the baggage fight, the antenna array explodes and a plane is crashed after the skywalk shootout, Esperanza escapes after landing, and McClane ends up w/ blank ammunition in the snowmobile chase. All leading up to the plane fight where John loses against Stuart, and it seems that all hope is lost for Holly's plane. This is what Chris Stuckmann likes to call the "Breaking Point" moment, where the hero is at his lowest point in an action sequence and has to come up w/ a way to get out of that predicament. McClane does so after uttering his famous catchphrase and lighting the fuel trail left by the plane. With a single stroke, he finally defeats the bad guys and saves all of the hostages.

[@jothishprabu8]

John McClane is one of the most likable Protagonists ever put to film!

[@dallesamllhals9161]

in 3...(as in: The first three!)

[@ninfilms]

I agree except for 5 as nobody knew on that production why John McClane was charismatic.

[@SelfPityEntertainment]

@@ninfilms John McClane is still my all time favorite action hero. But yeah, he's not even John in Die Hard 5. He's just the soulless husk that used to be Bruce Willis.

[@ninfilms]

@@SelfPityEntertainment Yes I agree he is a great cop in the same rail as Dirty Harry, Martin Rigg etc. Also Bruce Willis showed that he wasn't just a comedy actor in Moonlighting, that he has got range.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@ninfilms hmm, "comedic range" you say? As in: 'Hudson Hawk'(1991) or in 'Color of Night' (1994)? Sry'! I am NOT funny ;-) BUT: 'Death Becomes Her'(1992) He IS funny! And the bit part in 'Nobody's Fool'(1994) ..not bad.

[@Indigo_Gaming]

I remember liking Die Hard 2 for what it was, but none of the sequels had the "trapped in a location with no way of escaping" scenario that DH1 had. The fact that he has to go back into the airport multiple times, seeking danger, kind of undermines the tension, and makes his quips about "how could this happen to me AGAIN?" kind of confusing. Overall, 80s/90s action movies were badass, though. Love that era.

[@TMC1982Part2]

There are numerous problems with the plot in Die Hard 2 when you start thinking about it too closely. For instance, wouldn't it just be easier for for someone to just ask about why don’t all of the planes divert to any of the dozens of airports within 100 miles of the airport? Don't you think that all the officials at Dulles had to do was contact another airport and have that airport contact the planes above?

[@ashscott6068]

The original script for Die Hard 3 had McClane trapped on a ship that was taken over by terrorists. Delays in the shooting allowed Under Siege to get made first, so they scrapped it

[@franohmsford7548]

@@ashscott6068 Under Siege was way better than Die Hard with a Vengeance :)

[@sidpinn7979]

I mean his wife was trapped on one of the planes so it would make sense why he would stay, as he was ‘trapped’ emotionally

[@Leonard1977ful]

@@franohmsford7548 You're right about that.

[@fredskull1618]

1) Renny Harlin does a great John McTiernan impression in this film. I say that snark-free. 2) John McClane’s fisherman sweater rules.

[@kenkauffman3522]

Loved the sweater. I have a hard time wearing sweaters now without doing my best John McClain impression

[@thegadflygang5381]

I own it. Not a version of it but THE SWEATER signed by Bruce. My ex, whom probably banged Harvey Weinstein or Joel Silver or another of the Hollywood power ilk to get it.... TOTALLY WORTH IT

[@Jim-iz3oy]

I remember actually pointing at the screen when Robert Patrick appeared.

[@workonesabs]

The T1000 gets wasted...

[@masteriansun]

@@workonesabs it was a prototype version

[@ninfilms]

A Sitting Duck.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

I didn't! Mayhaps 'cause i saw this before T2?

[@Sonofdonald2024]

Hey what do I look like to you? 'A sitting duck'. bang!

[@jwnj9716]

John McClane Vs Django, Grim Reaper from Bill & Ted, Meissner, the T-1000, Andy from Creepshow 2 and Luigi Mario....SOLD! It's a fun sequel, doesn't beat the first movie but you will have a good time.

[@VincentJNewman]

And Cleo McDowell from McDowells Restaurant. Home of the McDowell Burger!

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Don’t forget Chesty Puller.

[@tier45acp]

Die Hard 2 in my opinion has always had the best model(miniature) plane explosions ever on film. Or at the least are the top contender for most realistic with out the issue of small scale fire uncanny affect.

[@dougmasters4579]

For plane fans it's a great movie to watch. All the aircraft shots look realistic, and switch between models and miniatures to the extent where you can't tell the difference. The 747 scene is a classic, really well done, and no CGI was used.

[@HardestTargett]

We really needed you to tell us they didn’t crash a giant plane with people on it. Thank you Mr.Genius

[@markwallertu10]

Always enjoy how you put together your own trailer as part of these retrospectives. They are always better than originals. Hope to see a playlist of them at some point.

[@asifkhan4822]

"Hey Carmine what sets off metal detectors first, the lead in your ass or the shit in your brains." The black sheep of the franchise, it's quite underrated fun entry. Still hell of lot better than the fifth entry. This would be the last Die Hard to be produced by Joel Silver.

[@nickm8874]

That’s always baffled me. Why would shit set off a metal detector?

[@asifkhan4822]

@@nickm8874 It's not supposed to, I think they just put it in to give John McClane a quotable oneliner.

[@TMC1982Part2]

Well, it may be the black sheep if you discount A Good a to Die Hard.

[@alucard624]

Almost anything is better than that horrid 5th film. Seriously, that 5th film was godawful and made Live Free or Die Hard awesome by comparison.

[@RainBird88x]

Despite being a quick cash in sequel, its still a great action film.

[@1223jamez]

I love the first 3 Die Hards and #3 as my fav! But after that Die Hards 4 &5 are garbage 🗑!

[@Xayjohns]

@@1223jamez I personally don't mind 4, but 5 hurts.

[@vampirascoffin870]

@@Xayjohns part 4 kicks ass

[@-MrFozzy-]

I’d love to see this quality of cash grab sequels in today’s movie nightmare scenario ….I really really really really really reaaaally miss 80’s 90’s movies style

[@smdmorga2]

@@Xayjohns I enjoyed 4 as well, but Die Hard 5 was a let down in my opinion

[@retroworld8090]

Die Hard 1,2,3 is probably the best action trilogy ever. So good.

[@mccarthy5825]

Yep, I agree. No weak film. All have memorable moments. Vengeance is such a departure but still has the feel of DH. I spent countless hours on Die Hard Trilogy...i had a light gun from Time Crisis so I got the full experience and I LOVED how it was 3 different styles in one package. It's sad to see Bruce Willis suffering with dementia now and being essentially forced to do all these direct to video movies.

[@Corrooo]

John Wick trilogy>Die Hard trilogy

[@charaznable8072]

@@Corrooo Nah

[@k1dn1ce76]

@@Corrooo Nonsense!!

[@handznet]

@@Corrooo John wick? WTF 1 is ok, other parts are trash

[@aimlevel]

It blows my mind that this channel has not like 500k+x subs. One of my fav channels of all time. I think I've seen the Aliens Video at least 5 times.

[@palehorse1111]

totally agree

[@thebatman4279]

Very underrated channel!

[@Xayjohns]

I've felt that way for a long time.

[@phenomeninja1855]

Yeah I always wondered at the low subs. A.) an English tone or stodginess turning off viewers ? B.) an inability of English speakers to understand dry or nuanced British humor C.) a dislike of well constructed film retrospectives with precision calculus ? D.) more like film documentaries and histories than reviews ? I’ve always enjoyed them . 240k subs is a lot though, but I know what you mean; these are high quality vids . Not just a dude in his grandma’s basement or trailer .

[@reidripley1221]

1. Die Hard 2. Die Hard: With a vengeance 3. Die Hard 2: Die Harder

[@dallesamllhals9161]

+1

[@orinanime]

Die Hard Die Hard With A Vengeance Live Free or Die Hard ... ... ... Die Hard 2 Die Harder ... ... ... A dumpster fire ... A Good Day to Die Hard

[@dnasty312]

*Die Harder* and *With A Vengeance* is a tie for me ✈🚖 I love them both for different reasons, kinda like Lethal Weapon 3 and 4

[@krisj827]

Yep that's my order too.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@orinanime Live Free or PG13 - at 3! Why the FUCK did you do that? ;-D

[@Pleto22]

Your attention to detail is unrivaled, Oliver!

[@fusionspace175]

So this whole time Arnold and Bruce have had characters in the same universe and they've never capitalized on it? Dear god why? Why did we have to settle for that cameo crap in Expendables? Call Hollywood. Die Hard 6. John McLain, John Matrix, and John Wick. Greatest action movie ever made.

[@hunterzolomom9480]

hey dont forget John Rambo too but at this point is easier to ask for Expendable 2 directors cut

[@jorgezarco9269]

The violence in the rough cut of Die Hard 2(1990) was stronger. A bullet shreds a guy's head off, extra blood squibs explode on Robert Patrick and you can hear kids screaming as they burn to death! They had avoid an NC-17 rating. The TV version was heavily censored. "Joke off! OH, SHOOT! Lorenzo is hip deep in snow!"

[@osurpless]

“Yippee ka Yah, Mr. Falcon!”

[@dougmasters4579]

I've seen the rough cut , it's out there. Problem with movies round about that time is that they were getting more violent and more profane, while making more money, so it got too gratuitous. Less is more.

[@Banjo-Oz]

I agree, though it's also why the most violent version of Robocop works better, though, as it takes the violence so far it becomes a parody! "Someone call a paramedic!"

[@jarvy251]

This is the DS9 epsiode where Sloane kills chief O'Brien

[@alvarocaceres1196]

Section 31.

[@leewright1]

Damn u Stoklasa!! Seriously though, this was once the weakest of the "trilogy". Then time and money exchange souls and we get Chernobyl in Russia cos McClane is on vacation with not-necessary-"Kyle Reece". So many bads.

[@energicko]

@Jarv This is also technically a Star Wars episode prequel. McClane had a confrontation at the airport's annex sky-walk (Anakin Skywalker). *pew pew*

[@Banjo-Oz]

He could have landed that plane if not for a recent shoulder injury...

[@PaulRizzo]

Don’t care what anyone says, this is another great Die Hard flick.

[@alucard624]

Love this film. Renny Harlin definitely knows how direct action films. I highly recommend watching The Long Kiss Goodnight, another film he directed later on starring his then wife Geena Davis and written by Shane Black. The action in that film is incredible. Would love to see a retrospective on that film one day.

[@philleotardo8760]

Another 48 hours and robocop 2 were badass.

[@treadstone1970]

No, they were just plain bad.

[@imcallingjapan2178]

Jesus had days like these.

[@deckard3755]

WHERE IS CAAAAIIIIN?!

[@mekkimaru2365]

I can confirm Robocop 2 was utter shite

[@peterlightning9235]

Die Hard 2 is my favorite out of all the Die Hard movies. It's badass.

[@mekkimaru2365]

For a while, I actually preferred this to the original. Gotta love Robert Patrick's cold role in this. "Hey asshole, what do I look like to you" "A sitting duck" Just so awesome

[@positivanollan6353]

I saw this in the cinema in Sweden and wanted to buy this on British VHS when it was released, since movies were not sold on VHS in Sweden at that time. It was very expensive at first release, coning in at about £70, which was too expensive for me. It's a good thing I didn't buy it, since it turned out to be the cut version with a 15 rating. A few months later, the uncut version with an 18 rating was released at about £10 and I bought that instead 😃

[@dougmasters4579]

Why couldn't you buy movies on VHS in Sweden? I bought this movie on vhs in scotland, around 1992, for £10 (100 kroner, I think). It was the cut version with a 15 certificate. I was shocked when I saw the 18 cut later on DVD. The 15 cut has almost all the swearing and blood removed - a totally different movie. In the Airport shootout for example they remove almost every shot of the SWAT team being killed.

[@LevitatingCups]

I dunno how but when i was a youngling, i kept copying the tapes for everyone, think we had a pact in the neighbourhood that if you rent a movie, it goes through our household. So many vhs in the library :D

[@Nitrobotti]

@@dougmasters4579 You could only rent movies back then. I don't know the reason behind that law.

[@dougmasters4579]

@@Nitrobotti I'm guessing it was to help video rental businesses in scandinavia, which were big when I lived there in the 80s and early 90s.

[@alaric_]

I think the reason was the fear of people copying the films and movie company not getting revenue with all the copying. The industry as a whole started to get paranoid about it at those times, the computer games having piracy a rampant problem and games lacking any good copy protection (as did all the other media like cassettes, VHS, etc.). Game consoles did have an advantage as they have been hard to copy since their release in 80's. Here in Finland compromise was achieved years later by adding copyright-fee on every single empty media sold, assumption being that they would be used for copying. The forced fee on empty media would then be payed to the media companies to be shared amongst them. This was ended just couple years ago, in 2015. Now they get the same money from the government, companies getting free money year after year from government because of ... some stupid reasons?

[@khyronbradford]

7:47 holy shit never noticed that!! So Commando and Die Hard are in the same universe!

[@Marvdogger2]

Yup and Predator.

[@gowkie3940]

@@Marvdogger2 The McTiernaverse

[@SnakeHiggins]

Probably my favorite Die Hard honestly. If I ever did write the script for a balls to the wall action movie I'd have to say that Renny Harlin would be high on my list of people to direct it.

[@thegadflygang5381]

You said it brother. My favorite as well, it just has so many great characters, set pieces, dialogue and most of all the big switcharoo with John Amos and Colonel Stuart in cahoots which is simply brilliant.. Speaking of Colonel Stuart he doesnt have the charm of Hans Gruber but he sure ups the ruthlessness ×10

[@at3479]

It's even more interesting when you see how McClane & Major Grant had animosity in the beginning and it wasn't because the way their characters were written but in reality, Bruce Willis & John Amos couldn't get along as evident from a video interview from Amos that Bruce tried to embarrass him but didn't and won't even try again with the final words being directed at Willis with "Right, Bruce ?"

[@masteriansun]

the edited tv version is comedy gold

[@DP12321]

"Let's kick heads!" 😅🤣

[@ninfilms]

To Sam the Reporter "Ok Just a few words blow me". ITV CENSORED VERSION in 1994.

[@masteriansun]

@@DP12321 "OHH SHOOOOOT!"

[@nel9357]

Yippee ki yay melon farmer😁

[@kanyewestlive6905]

Solid movie- probably better executed than it has any right to be Also my dad likes it more than the first Die Hard- it's his favourite of the series😂

[@philliplewis6964]

Your dad isn't alone. It's my favorite of the series. And 2 of the greatest film critics in history liked it better than the 1st.

[@dougmasters4579]

I prefer it to the first, but only for shallow reasons (I'm a fan of planes & jets). I don't think I've seen a movie with so much plane footage, models and real photography. The 747 scene is amazing - a punch out on the wing and then it gets blown up with a zippo lighter as it takes off, and no CGI used in that scene.. real old school action.

[@pianoandguitarlover2773]

@@dougmasters4579 I think as an action movie with fast paced action set pieces it is better than the 1st Die Hard. But Die Hard 1 has the superior villains in Hans Gruber and Karl.

[@connormcleod9595]

Blasphemy

[@RADIOSUICIDIO]

I have a soft spot for the overly pink-orange look of the late 80s and early 90s movies. Is it the film stock? Or just a lighting trend?

[@Banjo-Oz]

Both, I think. I was watching a random movie from that era "Mr Destiny" and was struck by how nice it was just to look at. There's a certain feel to movies of that era, from the big hits to the smaller forgettable ones, that movies lost in the 2000s onwards. Movies today look like flat lifeless shit for the most part, by comparison!

[@maximilianogotz695]

I'm always hitting 'refresh refresh refresh' to see when Oliver posts a new video... fantastic channel... regards from Argentina and keep up the wonderful work!

[@ninfilms]

I like this film in its own merit. It is a great Christmas movie sequel to the great Christmas movie. Renny Harlin did a great job directing it this and Cliffhanger. There is nothing wrong with extreme violence. I feel the action film of today are watered down to appeal for kids and sensitive audiences.

[@treadstone1970]

Cliffhanger is essentially Die Hard on a mountain.

[@ninfilms]

@@treadstone1970 Still a great one. Fantastic beginning.

[@treadstone1970]

@@ninfilms always have to skip the beginning to Cliffhanger it's so nerve racking.

[@ninfilms]

@@treadstone1970 In my opinion it demonstrates that Harlin can direct tension which is similar in Die Hard 2 when John McClane thinks he loss his wife the emotion is there. Him and Gabe in Cliffhanger really gets emotional as they tried to save someone.

[@lutherheggs451]

Neither of them are Christmas movies....Im sorry but just being set around Christmas time does not make something a Christmas movie....Gremlins a Christmas movie, Christmas is central to the plot, it doesn't just happen to take place around Christmas..... Die Hard goes to his wife's job in L.A while they are celebrating a big business deal....The plot has literally NOTHING to do with Christmas. Die Hard 2 going to the airport to pickup his wife, plot literally has NOTHING to do with Christmas.

[@yuothineyesasian]

Ah the 90's, where you could smoke just about anywhere you fucking wanted.

[@lutherheggs451]

Now you have to practically smoke in your house under a blanket in the closet....Meanwhile fuckwits cry the instant anyone wants to do anything about climate change, but don't dare try to smoke

[@osurpless]

@@lutherheggs451 Reagrdless of the precise facts behind second hand smoke, the issue is not the right of the individual themselves, but the rights of others not to be superseded. Be it smoking or masking laws; same shit, different day.

[@costum04studio84]

If it's start as a video game series, this would be like Expansion pack becoming a full projects, like GTA 3 miami dlc become GTA ViceCity Hell, Die Hard Trilogy (PS1) even started as "With Vengeance" only now it it's a Trilogy, loved it.

[@deadairconversion]

Alan Rickman really did leave some big shoes to fill.

[@rockingrolling3503]

the close up on McClane reacting to hearing the bad guy radio chatter. 🙌🏼

[@crakatoot5480]

Out of all 5 films, the only really bad one was number 5

[@treadstone1970]

There is NO fifth Die Hard movie.

[@babybird871]

agreed.....

[@wstine79]

The middle child of the Die Hard films.

[@rockmusicforever90]

Oliver finally reviewed Die Hard 2 and completed the trilogy. I never thought he would

[@dvmiller7]

I get so hyped when these retrospectives get uploaded, thank you Oliver!

[@ryangettig274]

13:24 Hans Gruber would LOVE that Model Airplane!!:)

[@rogerpattube]

Nice comment.

[@ryangettig274]

@@rogerpattube Christmas,the season of miracles...

[@bigneon_glitter]

_Die Hard 2_ = _90s Action Movie: The Movie_

[@johnwilliamson2207]

Anyone can say what they will about William Sadler as Col. Stuart but what he does in this film, the crashing of Windsor 114, to this day remains one of the most evil, dastardly and vicious acts committed by any film villain. Not even Hans went that far and to me that solidifies him as one of cinemas all time great antagonists, despite the focus being taken off of him later in the film.

[@whitleybayman123]

Cheers Oliver. I didnt know Commando, Die Hard are in the same universe. Nice job, I never spotted Franco Nero was the General

[@GRORGvideot]

Wasn't Die Hard supposed to originally be Commando 2 but they changed it because Arnold did not want to do it..

[@rennmaxbeta]

This is a badass sequel; 1990 was an incredible year for movies.

[@renekauts8323]

Absolutely!!! 1990 was the peak! Later everything(the whole film industry) went downhill.......... CGI made everything worse!!!

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

I agree, As others have said, this movie had a lot more going for it than A Good Day To Die Hard did. I liked how the screenwriters used a novel again as the basis for their story. Also Michael Kamen's score was really good as well. Plus all of the technical challenges that the crew had to deal with in making this movie really paid off in the end.

[@jonnya4209]

Helluva shout. Where you fancied seeing at least a couple of the films from the trailers, the posters in the theatre or on the video rental places window. Made you wonder how good movies would be in the future.....not good at all as it turned out

[@cammyboy011]

I rewatched this at Christmas a few years ago and had forgotten just how angry all the characters are with each other.... Like excessively so! Still brings back good memories though 😎

[@kurtdewittphoto]

Mind boggling how much information is crammed into these videos. Thank you for all your work.

[@toasty91yt]

I have been waiting for this video for a long time I’m so excited! Keep up the great work!

[@DieHardjagged]

Haha good to know im not the only one, i waited soooooo long for this review.

[@mrjones29]

You missed William Sadler's credit in another leading villain role as the slimy Senator Trent in the Steven Seagal minor classic Hard to Kill - also released in 1990. Popular actor at this time in the early 1990s.

[@Jermster_91]

Die Hard 2 has the highest body count of movies released in 1990 with 162. The second highest body count was Robocop 2 with 58.

[@JasonBlackYT1]

Always baffles me how this is seen as an 'inferior' sequel. Pure 90s action at its best. Willis is excellent again. The airport cop is a great antagonist alongside Dwayne from the original. Colonel Stuart and Major Grant are great villians, and the actual twist with Grant's unit caught me completely off guard the first time i watched it.

[@dinorocker8647]

Well it was released in the 90's, but it was one of those films from the 90's that looked and felt like an 80's action film I.E. Hunt for Red October, Flight of The Intruder, Navy Seals, and Firebirds, probably 'cause all of those films even though they were released in '90, they were shot in the late 80's.

[@bonghunezhou5051]

@@dinorocker8647 Even the 1991 or 1992 action films may have felt like those from the 1980s (it takes a while for the prevailing sociocultural trends to catch up to the calendar; e,g. many 1960s-flavoured films came out in the _1970s_ ).

[@bonghunezhou5051]

Hear hear. This "inferior" second entry is my personal favourite - just as many cinephiles like the second Indy film the best.

[@dinorocker8647]

@@bonghunezhou5051 I know that, it was the same with the early 80's, it had more of the look and feel of the late 70's, which is actually what I really like, I actually prefer that to be honest, I much prefer the films from the 90's that had that 80's look and feel to 'em than the actual films from the 90's THAT LOOKED AND FELT LIKE THE 90's.

[@dinorocker8647]

@@bonghunezhou5051 I agree, personally I'll take this film over the dogshit sequels that followed, this film is OBVIOUSLY never gonna be as great as Die Hard, I get that, but this film is superior to ANY of the films that came after.

[@StolenEyesX]

Great review. For me, Die Hard 2 is the best - and only - sequel to the original classic. Holly’s exasperated final line perfectly bookends the two films.

[@makboil]

Would love to see a breakdown of “The Long Kiss Goodnight” another fantastic but underrated action movie.. I believe Renny Harlin directed this also

[@sorenpx]

I just watched TLKG for the first time five or so years ago and thought it was fucking great. Not nearly enough people have seen it. It's a very under-appreciated action flick that should've done more for the careers of both Harlin and Davis.

[@insertcolorfulmetaphor8520]

Oh that sweet sweet sound of the Cannon Films intro theme... Now makes me think about Oliver Harper's KZbin channel! Awesome!

[@robvegas9354]

Top shelf movie!! and that twist with major grant is amazing! i went to see this twice at the cinemas because it kicked so much butt at the the time. Thanks for another great review Oliver!

[@chobson8602]

one of the greatest movies of all time

[@giannb5145]

Colonel Stuart can't top Hans Gruber (nobody can) but he was pretty realistic and terrifying. I can totally imagine him training a squad of drug-dealing, pillaging Contras in Nicaragua

[@scottgauley7722]

I know so many people argue "With a Vengeance" is the best sequel. But for some reason, Die Hard 2 is the sequel I watch the most (outside of the original masterpiece of course). This is a very underrated sequel. It did a lot of things right. It kept the core formula of the original, but mixed up the locations, scenarios, and the twist with Major Grant and his men being turncoats? That was so unexpected and shocked me when I saw the movie the first time! It's brilliant! Yes, no Die Hard sequel is better than the original. But the first three is cinematic gold. I may be one of those fans with the unpopular opinion Die Hard 2 is the better sequel. The problem with Simon in the third film is he's just too likeable. He doesn't have this menacing presence about him that his brother Hans or Colonel Stuart did.

[@lambknot]

Probably the best use of the yippee ki ya line out of all the movies.

[@McDanieI]

This video stopped me in my tracks when going through my subscription. I immediately had to start watching this before anything else!

[@KEVMAN7987]

The book this film used as its basis (58 Minutes) is totally awesome. If it hadn't been made into a Die Hard it could've made an awesome action movie on its own.

[@lutherheggs451]

Well there might not have even been a Die Hard 2, had the original intention of Nothing Lasts Forever being a sequel to The Detective starring Frank Sinatra.

[@walternerd3147]

Underrated sequel

[@mykal.7424]

Die Hard 2 is one of my all time favorite sequels . Seeing it in 70mm blow up in 1990 was a awesome experience.

[@ALL_that_ENDS]

Nobody does retrospectives like ol olly.

[@shainewhite2781]

7:55, Commando, Predator and Die Hard take place in the same universe.

[@davidjames579]

Ricochet also has a Val Verde ref.

[@famousmcfly80]

This is a damn good sequel for sure. Very admiral sequel to perhaps one of the best action films ever made. Especially given the different director. Harlin does have a great eye for action and visuals, so he was a good choice. Another good vid, Oliver. Thanks for the quality content.

[@vaderfett3229]

Nice Video as always, Oliver. Wee bit of trivia: Renny Harlin admitted in his commentary that the film has far too much use of the 'F' word in it and he regrets that it wasn't toned down (*I used to own an ex-rental VHS copy and that itself was slightly edited for said bad language). Also Robert Patrick is an actor who has been 'killed' onscreen by Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger (T2) and Sly Stallone (Copland).

[@RiderRated18]

I remember my older brother and his mate going to see it at the cinema and I had to stay at home ☹️lol Eventually I saw the ITV movie premiere around 1993 I think 🤔 Managed to tape it and watched it over and over, yes it was the usual edited for tv version but at the time I didn’t care 🙂 Solid review and video as always Oliver 👍👍

[@gregmanca1474]

Always look forward to your perspective on movies, especially the ones that I Love. Die Hard 2 is one of them. Very underrated and stands strong beside 1 & 3 IMHO Keep up the great work

[@jaredgunkle1562]

are you editing these opening trailers because that gave me chills

[@thegadflygang5381]

I love this film ATLEAST as much as the first and in many regards more. William Sandler as Colonel Stuart is straight up a fully evil Ed Harris from "The Rock" while John Amos (of "GOOD TIMES") just KILLS IT with the big switacharoo before the climax. More memorable characters and set pieces. More imminent threat. It is Die Hard just bigger and badder. Darker and funnier with a US Congressman, Fred Thompson, to boot as a costar. I could watch this film 100x in a row and never get bored. Add Dennis Franz for comic relief and Franco Nero as the General. AWESOME. JUST AWESOME also, the Die Hard Trilogy game is just master. At least DH 1 and 2, with the latter having an awesome first person shooting experience with the former being an isometric shoot em up around Nakatomi

[@oafpolitics179]

Saw it at the cinema at the time, really enjoyed it, but whenever I want to watch a Christmas film, I watch the original.

[@PetersonZF]

I like this almost as much as the original Die Hard. You hit the nail on the head with William Sadler being a good actor without the right material to make his villain as memorable as either of those played by Alan Rickman or Jeremy Irons.

[@atomiccardguy288]

You have one of the best channels in you tube!! I always look forward to your videos! Keep up the great work.

[@lancelindqvist8848]

its better than i remembered. forgot the Robert Patrick cameo :D

[@MrLobo1024]

You know whats funny? Renny Harlin directed "Nightmare on elm street 4" and Stephan Hopkins directed "Nightmare on elm street 5" the following year. Both directors got the gig to do sequels from two blockbusters- Die Hard 2 and Predator 2.

[@xboxisbetta]

My favorite William Sadler role has to be Colonel chesty puller from The Pacific. Terrific interpretation of the most decorated Marine ever.

[@treadstone1970]

Gravely mistaken. There is NO fifth Die Hard movie.

[@WhateverHappenedToFun]

I totally agree! The real title of that movie was "A Concussion In Russia"

[@treadstone1970]

@@WhateverHappenedToFun what movie?

[@WhateverHappenedToFun]

@@treadstone1970 The one that people dares to call the fifth Die Hard movie! ;-)

[@nel9357]

😂👏

[@pieroog]

another problem with DH2 is the same as with Home Alone - every freakin' Christmas, for the past ~30 years, those have been played relentlessly, so people are bored to death with'em.

[@jessemast5319]

"Where's Cochrane?" "He didn't make." "Oh, man!" Possibly the BEST lines in film history 😆

[@jonno209]

Great review, as ever. Have to say, I love this film. Come back to it again and again. I'd definitely take it over the third instalment. It's pretty much on an equal with the original for me!

[@OperativeD]

Disappointed that you didn't mention Franco Nero was the original Django back in 1966, but still another well done retrospective on a favorite film of mine. Keep up the awesome work.

[@jimmyryan5880]

I think what you expect from a score is oddly specific. Its supposed to tell you what to feel to compliment the visuals or dialog not to be taken as an isolated thing. Its like companing that individual frames make for bad mousemats.

[@TMC1982Part2]

I'm surprised that Oliver when mentioning John Amos' television career, didn't mention Good Times or even Roots.

[@vuetoob3983]

Or beast master

[@dougmasters4579]

He didn't mention them because Oliver is from the UK and shows like Good Times and Roots were not well known here. I'm the same age as Oliver and I never saw either of them on TV once.

[@jeremybrooks7415]

The reason I can't stand With a Vengeance is John McLane constantly saying I've got a bad f'ing headache. The first time was fine but it's throughout the whole movie.

[@geoffreypereira8024]

Stewart - incinerated 200 civilians just to make AN EXAMPLE out of them; Gruber - smoked 1 businessman who had more guts than sense. Advantage - Stewart!!

[@TMC1982Part2]

The recent passing of New Jack just reminded me that after Die Hard 2, John Amos and Art Evans appeared as police detectives in Ice Cube and Dr. Dre's "Natural Born Killaz" music video.

[@pontiusporcius8430]

I did a review on Die Hard 3 and this video helped me clear up some credit citation issues. Thanks man.

[@warrenbeer2737]

Best bit when “Meat” from Porky’s gets an ice pick in the eye!

[@krisj827]

I love Oliver Harper's Retrospectives. He makes me appreciate movies that I didn't care about. He knows he has to do Die Hard With A Vengeance now.

[@felipepontael]

Taking this Bruce Willis vibe, make a The Jackal from 1997 review, love that movie!

[@lkotro21]

I love the first Die Hard, like the second. Sigh at the third and like the fourth (more than I expected). Good thing they stopped at 4 films.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

That was really enjoyable well done 👍 👍 keep up the good work 👌👌

[@lancelindqvist8848]

please do a retrospective for "Red October" one of my favorite movies

[@RunOfTheHind]

Your intro sections are better than the original trailers.