Common Sense Media Review
John McClane spreads vigilante Christmas cheer.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
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Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Based on 44 kid reviews
Kids say this sequel features significantly more violence and language than its predecessor, making it suitable primarily for older teens and adults. While some appreciated the action and humor, many felt that the plot lacked the suspense and coherence of the original, leading to mixed overall impressions.
- violent content
- strong language
- weaker plot
- action-packed
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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 :
- MPAA explanation : Restricted
- Last updated : December 15, 2025
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