Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, language in stale action movie parody.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Die Hart: The Movie
What's the Story?
In DIE HART, Kevin (Kevin Hart) is a successful but frustrated movie star. He has grown tired of doing comedies and wants to prove that he has what it takes to be an action movie hero. After a meltdown on a daytime talk show, Kevin attracts the attention of legendary action movie director Claude Van de Velde (Jean Reno), who wants to direct Kevin, but not until he trains in an action movie school run by Ron Wilcox (John Travolta). Upon arrival, Kevin soon learns that nothing is what it seems, as the sadistic Wilcox puts Kevin through the action movie wringer while seeming to go easy on the other action movie camper Jordan (Nathalie Emmanuel). As Kevin's frustrations mount, things appear to take a very dark and very real turn, and Kevin must prove that he not only has what it takes to be an action movie star, but also that he can save the day in real life.
Is It Any Good?
This is a disappointing parody of action movies, with the jokes mostly falling flat. While Die Hart is likely to appeal to those who are already fans of Kevin Hart's comedy, for everyone else, the jokes and plot twists are too easy and too obvious. It doesn't take a genius to point out the cliches of action movies, and there's a lack of any kind of next-level to the humor.
The movie works best when it explores "Kevin" as a kind of self-parody, a parody of someone typecast as a comic actor who wants to prove that he has what it takes to join the ranks of action movie heroes. But beyond that, so much time is wasted in self-awareness of the conventions of action movies that none of the jokes ever truly land. There's a lingering feeling throughout that this movie should be better than it is.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about parodies like Die Hart. How does this movie parody the cliches of action movies?
How was the violence intended to parody action movies?
Was the language excessive, or was it necessary for the sake of humor? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 3, 2023
- Cast : Kevin Hart , John Travolta , Nathalie Emmanuel
- Director : Eric Appel
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Amazon Prime
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 6, 2023
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