Die Hard: With a Vengeance
- Review Date: November 29, 2005
- Rated: R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Release Year: 1995
- Running Time: 131 minutes
Common Sense Media says
Less hand-to-hand combat, but still a very violent sequel.
- Review Date: November 29, 2005
- Rated: R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Release Year: 1995
- Running Time: 131 minutes
Die Hard: With a Vengeance gallery
What parents need to know
Positive role models
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Die Hard with a Vengeance includes constant violent episodes and a series of threats of violence. (This installment in the Die Hard franchise does, however, have less hand-to-hand combat and individual violence. Instead, it includes larger explosions that target an increased number of innocent citizens.) Both good guys and bad guys use vulgar language and physical violence to get their points across. McClane drives recklessly when in pursuit of the villains. Parents may seriously want to consider the effects of watching this film in post-9/11 America. The bad guys blow up city blocks, plant bombs in parks, and target the subway system. It may be a little too close to real life for comfort. In addition, as with all of the Die Hard films, the protagonist John seeks justice through his own means (and contrary to rules of law).
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Kids say
What's the story?
It's round three for John McClane (Bruce Willis). His wife has left him. He has been suspended from the NYPD. Nonetheless, trouble finds him. A mysterious man calling himself Simon (Jeremy Irons) wants to make McClane pay for his past sins. (If you've seen Die Hard, you'll understand why.) He must either jump through Simon's hoops or risk a series of explosions around the city. McCane must find Simon and save the city, but this time he has a partner. Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson), a Harlem shopkeeper with less than friendly feelings toward white society, finds himself paired with John's wing nut style of justice. Will they find Simon before he says "boom?"
Is it any good?
QUALITY
One might consider Die Hard with a Vengeance a kinder and gentler Die Hard. Straying from its traditional shoot 'em up scenarios, this film balances action with ruminations on race relations and an individual's responsibility to the greater good. (And is the first time McClane isn't trying to save his wife.) The presence of a buddy also allows for the "real" John McClane to come through in dialogue. There are some excellent explosions, yet the third installment lacks the excitement of the first two films.
Parents may seriously want to consider the effects of watching this film in post-9/11 America. The villains blow up city blocks, plant bombs in parks, and target the subway system. It may be a little too close to real life for comfort. Families that have experienced the lost of love ones in such attacks might find the movie traumatizing.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about issues regarding race and public knowledge. What drives Zeus's feelings regarding race? How do his actions adhere to or deviate from the opinions he expresses early on? How can individuals work though such feelings?
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?
During the film, the police know of a threat on a public school. They withhold this information in an attempt to avoid a citywide panic. Should the police have shared this kind of information with the public or keep it a secret in to attempt to maintain public safety?
Movie details
| Theatrical release date: | May 18, 1995 |
| DVD release date: | March 9, 1999 |
| Cast: | Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson |
| Director: | John McTiernan |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 131 minutes |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong violence and pervasive strong language |
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QUALITY
Pretty Good...
You know, I think it's great. Great on TV. I don't know how anyone would care to watch a movie with a sware in every sentance. It is also very offensive to both black and white people. When John is walking around NYC with a sign hanging over his neck saying I Hate N*****s. Besides that, I think it was great.
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QUALITY
More Excellence
Incredibly entertaining. Funny and violent. Samuel L Jackson is perfect partner for Bruce Willis. Plot revolves around terrorist/bomb threat in New York City. Bombs blow up city blocks and kill innocent people; many more are placed around the city and in a school filled with small children. Sporatic violence: gunshots produce spurts of blood, an innocent man's neck is slashed multiple times causing blood to spray out all over walls, a man's head is pushed barely offscreen and shot point blank resulting in lots of blood and brains splattering over walls and people, a man is cut in half by a wire (at a distance but clearly visable onscreen), villan kills innocent people with no remorse, and as usual McLane is soaked in blood most of the movie. Constant strong language: almost every sentence contains explicit language, around 100 uses of f--- alone, with just as much with other foul words, constant use of the N-word by and against black people, McLane is forced to walk into Harlem with a sign saying "I HATE N******" (not censored in film). Racism is a very big topic here, and is suprisingly thoughtful. McLane drinks and is addicted to painkillers.
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QUALITY
Good movie, but not intended for kids
This is the 3rd movie in the Die Hard franchise and one of my favorites.
As always, John McClane is stuck in bad situation and has to save the day, this time alongside a racist black man from NYC.
Violence is extreme with lots of blood. There are 98 uses of f--k and drug use.
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