MovieChat Forums > Sudden Death (1995) Discussion > Best 'Die Hard in a...' film?

Best 'Die Hard in a...' film?

posted 13 years ago by MovieMaster95
36 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else agree this is the best of the 'Die Hard in/on a...' movies. Most of those films took the basic idea of a man trapped somewhere with a ton of badguys to defeat, but never went anywhere with it. Toned down violence, lack of a badass hero, uninteresting villian, slow pacing, etc...

If your gonna rip off Die Hard, at least give the audience what they're expecting. Sudden Death knows this and give the audience exactly what it's advertised as, Die Hard in a Hockey Stadium...with Van Damne. Simple plot, nice pacing, well made action scenes, bloody violence, big explosions and some great thrills. Great 90s popcorn flick IMO.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Doc110894 13 years ago

I think Cliffhanger is the best Die Hard inspired movie.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] CptHowdy87 8 years ago

How is Cliffhanger anything like Die Hard? It's been mentioned at-least 5 times in this thread now. They're hardly anything alike at all.

Also, since people complained every action movie with an ordinary vulnerable everyman is a Die Hard rip-off now we've got nothing but movies like Taken, The Equalizer, John Wick and Homefront where the protagonists are practically super human and unstoppable. Even John McClane now resembles James Bond or Jason Bourne more than anything.

[–] mystroSam 13 years ago

I'd say Speed is the best of this sort of film.

[–] 06986 13 years ago

I just watched it again and noticed it looked a lot better then it was. The camera work in many scenes was very well done and it had the look of better movies like Die Hard. Unfortunately it is let down by cheesy acting, huge plot holes, and bad writing but it is better then most fast cut forgettable CGI fest action movies of today.

[–] Stratego (29245) 2 months ago

"Unfortunately it is let down by cheesy acting, huge plot holes, and bad writing"

You've got to be kidding me. Die Hard is much worse in that regard.

[–] Spongeyone 10 years ago

Speed isn't a "die hard in a ___" film.

Death to shakeycam directors!

[–] scabab 10 years ago

It's always been thought of as Die Hard on a Bus.

I'd go with Speed, if that doesn't count then Cliffhanger.

[–] CptHowdy87 8 years ago

It's (Speed) always been thought of as Die Hard on a Bus.

Which surprised me when I first read that. Jack was practically a super-cop and deliberately put himself in harms way. McClane was just an average cop who was trapped in the situation. Both movies are completely different. Sure once you strip away every last element of the plot and characters you're left with vaguely similar basic premises but that doesn't make Speed or really most other movies labeled as Die Hard on/in rip-offs or copies of Die Hard.

[–] FootOfDavros (6712) 4 years ago

Agreed.

It would be pretty funny to see an actual Die Hard on a Bus effort though with all the villains piling on at one particular stop and taking control of the bus. Meanwhile some ex special forces guy, sitting down the seats at the back, plans to take back control...

[–] Heisenberg (6313) 5 months ago

I'd buy that for a dollar

[–] Toomer (16) 5 months ago

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[–] MovieMaster95 13 years ago

I can't agree with you their as I'm not really fond of Seagal's work. Tommy Lee Jones and Garey Busey are great villians though ;)

[–] scotty999 13 years ago

Air Force 1, Under Siege 1/2, Con Air

[–] capt-lunatic 13 years ago

"Always bet on black."

[–] ecarle (14979) 4 years ago

I choose this one.

The "purity" of Did Hard is here...the hero, the arch villain, the single setting...a few twists("a good guy is really a bad guy")...spectacular action.

[–] Halifaxdan 13 years ago

Definitely Under Siege, Casey Ryback kicks ass.

[–] leighburne 12 years ago

Under Siege, definitely. I'd say Air Force One was a better film, but Under Siege wins in action terms. Plus a LOT more people get killed.

[–] Crash_Override9207 12 years ago

IMO

The original Die Hard is the best one ever for me.

Sudden Death is awesome, and it deserves second place IMO. (What can I say, I'm Canadian and love that fact that JCVD is portraying a Canadian Firefighter turned hero)

After that, Under Siege 1 + 2, Cliffhanger and Passenger 57 is next

I didn't care much for Speed or it's horrendous sequel Speed 2: Cruise Control

[–] Li-1 12 years ago

Actually, I thought Sudden Death was one of the worst of its subgenre. The best were Speed, The Rock, and Air Force One. I also really liked Executive Decision. I didn't care for much for Under Siege or Con Air, but they were both still more entertaining than Sudden Death.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] voight84 11 years ago

same here.....besiedes i love all big budget 90s action flicks you mentioned above
considering a die hard scenario my vote goes equally to under siege und sudden death

Battle:L.A- separates the men from the nerds:)