Live Free or Die Harder

I'm sure that will be the sequel to Live Free or Die Hard. This was actually my first in the Die Hard series. I'm not particularly a fan of Bruce Willlis. He's too self aware as an actor and I don't particularly like his choice of films. That being said, as a new resident of New Hampshire how could I pass on a film with such a creative title. Oh, and I'm totally crushing on Justin Long. I did check with the buds to make sure he's on screen long enough to warrant a trip to see the film.

I have to say, I was completely taken by the film. From the start is it engaging. The character development lasts all of 10 minutes and then we're into the non-stop action. Matt Farrell is one of the top 1000 hackers in the U.S. When someone hacks into the F.B.I.'s network, John McClane is sent to fetch Matt and bring him to F.B.I. Headquarters. It turns out that Matt and seven other hackers have been writing code that has allowed an evil computer genius to perpetrate a "fire sale"--a complete meltdown of the U.S. brought about by a shutdown of all computer networks. The bad guys are out to finish the fire sale at the same time there after Matt, since he's the only one who can stop them.

The story works and the action is almost over the top. It is possible to launch a car to take out a helicopter. And that happens pretty early in the film, meaning that there are better effects to come. Tom Olyphant is an excellent bad guy, and Maggie Q is fierce.

Justin Long and Bruce Willis make a good team. Bruce has a more natural style then usual, and Justin demonstrates that he has acting chops that go beyond Mac commercials and Accepted, which, by the way, I thought worked on the strength of his charms.

So, Live Free or Die Hard is a pretty amazing ride--definitely an E ticket. But it also has a good story and some warmth that kept me on board until the end and in between the special effects.