Christmas Movies: Die Hard

YIPPIE KI YAY MOTHA— oh you know the rest.

That famous Christmas jingle is a quote from the great John McClane portrayed by the legendary Bruce Willis in the Die Hard film series, some of the greatest action movies and Christmas movies ever.

Released on July 15th, 1988, Die Hard chronicles the story of New York City detective John McClane who takes a trip to Los Angeles, California to rekindle his relationship with his estranged wife Holly Gennaro portrayed by Bonnie Bedelia at a Christmas event held by the corporation Holly works for known as Nakatomi. As the Christmas Eve celebration gets underway Nakatomi towers is suddenly taken over by a group of terrorist led by the charismatic Hans Gruber, portrayed by Alan Rickman. Gruber and his crew are planning on pulling off an upscale heist to take the Nakatomi corporation for everything it’s worth.

As the heist unfolds the Staff members of Nakatomi, including McClane’s wife Holly, are taken hostage by the Gruber crew. This makes McClane spring into action as he starts apprehending Gruber’s men one by one. In the claustrophobic setting that is Nakatomi Towers, John McClane stops at nothing to overpower Gruber and his men to save his wife and her colleagues. Likewise, Hans and his crew are determined to stop McClane from foiling ther bankable heist. Throughout the night McClane is assisted by Los Angeles police officer Al Powell and limo driver Argyle. With all the odds stacked against him, McClane manages to take out Hans and his men and save his wife and her coworkers.

With all of its style, personality, character development and storytelling action, Die Hard became a groundbreaking hit that redefined the action genre. It was also destined to become a hit series, releasing its first sequel two years later, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, which also takes place during the Christmas holiday.

In this second entry in the series we find John McClane meeting his wife Holly for Christmas at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, when all of a sudden the Washington airspace is taken over by a group of rogue militia. Holly’s plane becomes entangled in the evil scheme and now McClane has to once more spring into action to save both his wife and the entire Washington airspace. Like it’s predecessor, Die Hard 2 was a smash hit both critically and commercially. It also took its place alongside the original as one of the greatest Christmas movies ever.

A funny fan discussion that has been debated for years has been is Die Hard really a Christmas movie. Of course it’s a Christmas movie. Most people you ask will say the same thing and I honestly don’t understand what part of that is up for discussion. The movie not only takes place during the Christmas holiday, but in a way I also see Die Hard as an action movie metaphor for the Christmas spirit. I’ve always seen the chaos in a Die Hard movie as reference to the madness we go through during holiday season, especially as adults. Think about it, when you’re out shopping for Christmas gifts do you not see the holiday crowd that you’re going through as a group of terrorist who are here to drive you crazy? I know I do.

Just like how John McClane is fighting through the craziness for his loved ones sake, you too have to fight through the holiday apocalypse for your loved ones as well when you’re out gift shopping. So Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie that in every way embodies the Christmas spirit and if anyone tries to tell you any different just give em’ a slap and say yippie ki yay.