Latest news with #AGoodDaytoDieHard
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Action film hailed as ‘best sequel ever' now streaming for free
A 90s action thriller hailed as 'bombastic' is streaming for free right now on BBC iPlayer. Seven years after Die Hard hit our screens, Die Hard with a Vengeance was released, the third film in the acclaimed franchise following 1990's Die Hard 2. Bruce Willis reprised his role as John McClane in a cast rounded out by Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene, Colleen Camp, Larry Bryggman, and Sam Phillips. It follows McClane as he becomes embroiled in a mysterious terrorist plot orchestrated by a shadowy figure, Simon (Irons), threatening to detonate several bombs across New York. McClane partners with shopkeeper Zeus Carver (Jackson) to uncover Simon's plot and stop him before thousands are killed. The film proved a box office success, grossing $366.1 million (£272M) worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. It was followed by a further two sequels, Live Free or Die Hard in 2007 and A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013. Die Hard with a Vengeance received lacklustre reviews at the time of its release, but over the decades, it has been critically reassessed and has even been dubbed 'the best sequel of all time.' It holds a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus reading: 'Die Hard with a Vengeance benefits from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson's barbed interplay, but clatters to a bombastic finish in a vain effort to cover for an overall lack of fresh ideas.' In their review, The Independent said: 'The first 40 minutes of the movie contain the most giddy and intoxicating action scenes you'll find in any cinema this summer.' The Cinephile Hissy Fit podcast went as far as to say 'there are times we like this one more than the original,' while Gone With The Twins said it was 'fast-paced, regularly thrilling, and with a greater serving of wisecracks.' Movie Mom wrote: 'The best of the Die Hard movies — Jackson and Willis are terrific together.' Die Hard – Disney Plus Die Hard 2 – Disney Plus Die Hard with a Vengeance – BBC iPlayer and Disney Plus Live Free or Die Hard – ITVX and Disney Plus A Good Day to Die Hard – Disney Plus Meanwhile, Rolling Stone added: 'It's a tense, terrifically funny action dazzler with a wow level in special effects that will be hard to top.' More Trending Earlier this year, Jackson, 76, revealed the invaluable advice he received from Willis, 70, while filming Die Hard with a Vengeance. 'He told me, 'Hopefully you'll be able to find a character that, when you make bad movies and they don't make any money, you can always go back to this character everybody loves,' the Hollywood icon told Vanity Fair. 'He said, 'Arnold's got Terminator. Sylvester's got Rocky, Rambo. I've got John McClane.' I'm like, 'Oh, okay.' And it didn't occur to me until I got that Nick Fury role—and I had a nine-picture deal to be Nick Fury—that, Oh, I'm doing what Bruce said. I've got this character now.' Die Hard with a Vengeance is streaming now on BBC iPlayer Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC axes beloved celebrity talk show after eight series in 'ridiculous' move MORE: BBC drama that 'launched Ricky Gervais' TV career' now available on Amazon Prime MORE: Strictly confirms Gladiators legend as first celebrity in BBC 2025 line-up
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hollywood legend's 'bigger and better' action film streaming for free on BBC
Die Hard 2, the sequel to the 1988 hit action film Die Hard, is now available to watch for free online - and fans of the genre are in for a treat It's a rare find to come across film buffs who aren't familiar with Die Hard 2. This sequel to Die Hard is grander, costlier and more tumultuous. This 1990 action-packed spectacle continues the saga of detective John McClane and his extraordinary exploits. Directed by Renny Harlin and co-penned by Steven Souza and Doug Richardson, Die Hard 2 marks the second chapter in the Die Hard film franchise. The film stars silver screen legend Bruce Willis as the lead character John McClane, alongside a stellar cast including William Sadler, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Art Evans, Dennis Franz, Franco Nero, Reginald VelJohnson, Fred Thompson, and John Amos. The film is currently available for streaming at no cost on BBC iPlayer. Set a year after McClane's daring escapades in LA from the first film, Die Hard 2 sees the LAPD detective at Washington Dulles International Airport, awaiting the arrival of his wife Holly on an incoming flight, reports the Express. In a twist of fate, that's the very night terrorists seize control of the airport, causing chaos and threatening to crash all incoming flights unless infamous drug lord Ramon Esperanza is released. It's up to McClane to thwart their plans before his wife's plane is endangered. Created with a budget of approximately $70 million, Die Hard 2 proved to be a massive hit at the cinema, earning more than $240 million globally - nearly twice what its predecessor made. It became the seventh biggest earner at the box office that year. Die Hard 2 was succeeded by Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013). Speaking about his involvement in creating the blockbuster during a 2021 chat with Empire, director Renny Harlin revealed: "When I look back, I think, 'Did I realise how young and inexperienced I was?' I was very passionate and confident, but not cocky, because I really had huge fears and doubts. We shot so much at night-time too, and I was just really stressed about not being able to sleep. So yes, I felt huge pressure." Describing the challenging elements of filming, Renny explained: "It's no secret the movie went over budget and over schedule. Not because we didn't plan things carefully - I was super-organised and responsible - but because it was the warmest winter in North America for, like, 60 years. So there was no snow anywhere. We were literally hunting for snow around the country and in Canada, while we were leasing this whole armada of aircraft." Achieving a 69 per cent critics approval rating, Die Hard 2 garnered mixed reviews, with one critic noting: "Packs plenty of punch, heavy-hitting adventure, and explosions galore." One critic drew comparisons to the original, remarking: "This disappointing followup to Die Hard has more action and bigger action, but considerably less suspense." Another reviewer lavished praise on the sequel, stating: "The filmmakers know the audience is challenging them to top themselves, and they've risen to the bait. Harlin and company build suspense the old-fashioned way. They earn it." Yet another critic enthused about the film's qualities: "Exquisite widescreen theatrics and explosive entertainment. It's an awesome machine of mayhem....a skilled sequel, a brass-knuckled bruiser of an action picture, and a sublime cinematic distraction." Die Hard 2 also received a mixed bag of reactions from fans, with one saying: "While they have ramped up the action sequences here, it lacks the claustrophobic setting of the original movie that helped make it an instant classic. Still an entertaining movie and one worth checking out." A different viewer offered a contrasting opinion: "Call me crazy but I think that this could be greater than the first one, and don't get me wrong the first one is a masterpiece of the action cinema but this one has more intensity, I don't know both are great movies." An additional fan shared their take on the sequel: "Still a fun Die Hard film but nowhere near as exciting as the first one. Very bleak, dark and ugly looking by contrast. Bruce is still great; full of energy and chaos. The villains were a little over the top and campy." For those keen to revisit or discover the high-octane thrills, Die Hard 2 is currently available for streaming at no cost on BBC iPlayer.
