Sam Phillips

Die Hard with a Vengeance - 4/5

This movie is a return to form, almost as enjoyable as the first one for the same reasons, without feeling trite and formulaic. The villain is back to being an criminal mastermind and the hero is relegated back to underdog status, the dynamic that sets the franchise apart in the action genre. The side characters are back to being likable and interesting, making for a fun action romp with just enough mystery to keep it interesting. It redeems the franchise from its predecessor and ends the original trilogy in high form.

Closest comparison: It’s like a cross between The Last Boyscout and Inside Man.

Setting: Buddy Cop
Plot: Thriller
Tone: Action