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Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Common Sense says
- R
- 1990
- 124 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Die Hard 2 features constant and extreme violence. Both the good guys and the bad guys put innocent people in harm's way. They use strong language ("f--k" and "s--t") and physical violence to get their points across. In addition, as with all of the Die Hard films, the protagonist McClane seeks justice through his own means that are contrary to rules of law.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Fun and energetic, but not as thrilling as the first!
Better than the first one
Great action movie, but with lots of violence and language
What's the story?
After saving L.A. from the evil Germans, John McClane (Bruce Willis) was hoping to spend a peaceful Christmas with his family in the nation's capitol. Instead, he finds himself in middle of a terrorist plot to blow up the airport. In his attempt to save the day and rescue his wife (who's trapped on one of the circling flights), he must negotiate military-trained commandos (led by William Sadler), inept police, and government forces (led by John Amos).
Is it any good?
DIE HARD 2 repeated the success of the first film and helped continue Willis's rise to stardom. Fans of the first installment will enjoy appearances by Reginald Vel Johnson (Family Matters) as John's LAPD buddy and William Atherton (Ghostbusters, Real Genius) as an opportunist news reporter. This installment also features Dennis Franz (NYPD Blue) as the head of the airport police. Don't miss the thrilling ejection from the airplane, and though playing with a lighter saves the day, make sure the kids know that isn't a good idea.
Families may also want to consider that the main conflict of this film engages with the topics of terrorism and airports. In a post-9/11 America, kids may be particularly sensitive about any hostile combination of these two topics.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about issues regarding the media, the legal system, and national security. How does the film comment on the media, through its presentation of Thornburg and Coleman? How does each character represent the responsibilities of members of the media?
What is the point of all the violence in this movie? Is it used to illustrate a point, or for entertainment? What affect does watching a lot of violence have on kids, teens, and adults?
The movie presents a complicated relationship between the military and the police. Both John and the head commando Colonel Stewart make choices that deviate from their actual job descriptions. What is the difference between the two? What makes one right and one wrong?
Movie details
- In theaters: July 2, 1990
- On DVD or streaming: March 9, 1999
- Cast: Bonnie Bedelia, Bruce Willis, William Atherton
- Director: Renny Harlin
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 124 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Restricted
For kids who love action and adventure
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.