Die Hard 2

Die Hard 2
Name	Die Hard 2
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Renny Harlin
Producer	Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver
Screenplay	Steven E. de Souza, Doug Richardson
Based on	58 Minutes, Walter Wager
Starring	Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Reginald VelJohnson, Franco Nero, William Sadler, John Amos, Dennis Franz
Music	Michael Kamen
Cinematography	Oliver Wood
Editing	Stuart Baird, Robert A. Ferretti
Studio	Gordon Company, Silver Pictures
Distributor	20th Century Fox
Released	1990, 07, 04
Runtime	124 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$62–70 million
Gross	$240 million

Die Hard 2. Also known as Die Hard 2: Die Harder, it is a 1990 American action film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Bruce Willis reprising his role as John McClane. The sequel to the 1988 film Die Hard, it is loosely based on the 1987 novel 58 Minutes by Walter Wager. The plot follows McClane as he battles a team of rogue United States Army Special Forces soldiers who seize control of Washington Dulles International Airport during a blizzard on Christmas Eve, aiming to free a captured drug lord. The film was a major commercial success, solidifying the franchise's status and influencing the action genre throughout the 1990s.

Plot

On Christmas Eve, John McClane awaits the arrival of his wife Holly at Washington Dulles International Airport when he notices suspicious activity. A team of mercenaries, led by former United States Army Special Forces Colonel Stuart, takes control of the airport's communications to free a captured drug lord and dictator, General Ramon Esperanza. As a blizzard grounds all aircraft, McClane battles the terrorists across the airport, the surrounding woods, and even aboard a presidential aircraft. The climax involves a dramatic confrontation on the runway, leading to Stuart's demise and the safe landing of imperiled planes, including the one carrying Holly.

Cast

Bruce Willis returns as NYPD detective John McClane. Bonnie Bedelia reprises her role as his wife, Holly Gennero. William Atherton returns as aggressive reporter Richard Thornburg, while Reginald VelJohnson makes a cameo as LAPD Sergeant Al Powell. The antagonists are portrayed by William Sadler as Colonel Stuart and Franco Nero as General Esperanza. Key supporting roles include Dennis Franz as the antagonistic airport police chief Carmine Lorenzo, John Amos as U.S. Army Special Forces Major Grant, and Art Evans as maintenance engineer Leslie Barnes. Fred Dalton Thompson appears as Dulles air traffic controller Trudeau.

Production

Development began after the success of Die Hard, with Steven E. de Souza returning to write the screenplay, later revised by Doug Richardson. Director Renny Harlin, fresh from the success of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, was hired. Filming occurred primarily at LAX and the Stapleton International Airport in Denver, with the blizzard conditions created using plastic foam and elaborate set pieces. The action sequences, including a notable fight aboard a 747, required extensive stunt work and collaboration with Federal Aviation Administration advisors. The score was again composed by Michael Kamen.

Release

The film premiered on July 4, 1990, in the United States, distributed by 20th Century Fox. Its marketing campaign heavily emphasized the connection to the original and the tagline "Die Harder." It was released on VHS and LaserDisc in 1991, becoming a top rental title. Subsequent releases included DVD editions and high-definition formats like Blu-ray. The film's television broadcast rights were acquired by major networks like Fox and TBS.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a significant box office hit, grossing over $240 million worldwide against a budget of roughly $70 million. Critics praised the elaborate action sequences and Willis's performance but often found the plot derivative. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing and won an MTV Movie Award for Best Action Sequence. The performance of Dennis Franz was particularly noted, and the film's success cemented Renny Harlin's status as a major action director.

Legacy

The film solidified the Die Hard franchise as a cornerstone of the action genre, leading to further sequels like Die Hard with a Vengeance. It influenced numerous "disaster at a location" action films throughout the 1990s and popularized the trope of the lone hero against systemic failure. The character of John McClane became an enduring pop culture icon. The film is frequently referenced in discussions of action cinema and holiday-themed movies, often featured in lists by institutions like the American Film Institute.

Category:1990 films Category:American action thriller films Category:Films directed by Renny Harlin Category:20th Century Fox films