Live Free Or Die Hard

John McClane is the greatest action hero of all-time (duh), and here he comes for another round. I was scared at first because this fourth installment had two strikes against it (McTiernan was not directing, and it was only PG-13). Yet, Live Free does not disappoint. In fact, it is just about as fun as a movie can possibly be. In the great vein of Die Hard tradition, this film takes on a wild ride well worth your $9.
Live Free Or Die Hard focuses on a cyber-terrorism plot in which a group of bad guys execute a "fire sale" (they destroy all computer infastructure in America). That would suck, a lot. So who could possibly stop these mega-bad guys? McClane, idiot. He enlists the help of a cyber-nerd (Justin Long) and they are the only two guys who can get the job done. It's over the top action (McClane destroys a helicopter with a car), and hilarious one-liners (Die Hards are pretty much the only movies that do it well). How could anyone not have fun at this movie.
The terrorist plot brings up a great point, and an interesting theme. What do we place our trust in? Today, in America, it would seem that we trust computers (and the people who are in charge of them) more than anything. Is technology our god? What would we do without it? McClane is an "analogue guy in a digital world," and that is what ends up saving the day. He does things the old-fashioned way, without all the high-tech gadgets. We always have to be careful of falling into traps of trust and worship, lest we unknowingly worship idols.
McClane is an icon. He is the Lone Ranger. His personal life is a mess, he isn't the nicest guy, but he gets the job done. He is the only one that gets the job done. There is something captivating about a cowboy-type Lone Ranger who does it all on his own with his own rules. And he does it because it needs to be done, end of story. He doesn't want fame, fortune, etc. He wants to fix things. So in a sense McClane is a Christ-like servant. But on the other hand, he kills a whole bunch of people. The ends don't justify his means. But growing up I wanted to be McClane more than any other hero.
The film rocks on so many levels and does not disappoint the Die Hard franchise. The only drawback is the bad guy played by Timothy Oliphant (he just sucked). Kevin Smith had a great cameo, lots of stuff got blown up, lots of cars got totalled, and lots of evil dudes got their butts kicked. I am still a loyal fan of the greatest action franchise of all-time.