NEWS: John McClane VS. Irony

CULTURE: John McClane VS. Irony

Live Free or Die Hard, the newest movie in the Die Hard franchise, has nothing to do with the story of last summer’s Internet-hyped bomb Snakes on a Plane, but the way it's Internet buzz is being reported, it’s like a sequel.

The Internet buzz around Live Free or Die Hard, which, despite its title, isn’t set in New Hampshire, could ultimately be as lethal as it was for SOAP. But right now, the movie studio is looking at it as a good thing.

I think I know why people are talking about the trailer so much: it is the most righteously stupid movie trailer ever. When I watched it, I giggled for about a solid three minutes before pulling over co-workers to watch it. The trailer is all digital effects, featuring a soundtrack that jolts from low key techno to pop punk Beethoveen. Bruce Willis’s ultra-confident acting is a parody of himself, and that guy from the Mac commercials and Silent Bob are in it, for some reason.

So when I read Fox Studio executive Pam Levine’s assessment of the movie’s appeal, I wondered what trailer she had watched.

The gimmicks and CGI tricks in the trailer are so pronounced it almost steals Hot Fuzz’s big budget cop movie spoof mojo. Cars are tossed around like tennis balls. Bruce Willis drives a car into a helicopter, and jousts some crazy jet plane with an 18-wheeler.

If Wikipedia is right, the movie’s plot is heroically goofy.

I’m guessing that all these alleged blog write-ups on the movie are steeped in a whole lot of irony. And, as SOAP showed, ironic enthusiasm doesn’t sell movie tickets. That’s why Chuck Norris isn’t the biggest movie star in America.

That said: this movie looks so awesome and I'm so there. Or at least buying a bootleg copy.

I hate the guy from the Mac commercials. He's another one of those self-righteous indie-film-bred "movie stars" who I can't stand, a la Zach Braff.

SOAP failed because when it came down to it, it was more generic and lifeless than it was terrible/campy and humorous. This, on the other hand, looks hillarious. I'm really psyched for it now, as Die Hard is by far my favorite Christmas movie, and I have an undying secret passion for ridiculous amounts of action along the lines of Transporter 2.

Count me in.

yeah, this looks like its gonna kick ass....its all about driving cars into helicopters.....YIPEE KIYAY , MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

i DO want to assume the movie will have its tongue firmly planted in cheek. if so, it promises to be pretty badassss. if it takes itself too seriously, tho...

just don't tell me that micheal bay or joel shoemacher are in the credits anywhere and we'll be okay!!!

something about driving vehicles into flying objects just makes me giggle girlishly. haha.

I will flip a coin if I go to see this. Usually I forget about movies, and remember them after they are not in theaters anymore.

Then they come out on DVD, and I forget. I end up never seeing the movie. Its tragic really.

I expect so. Die Hard is as much about comedy as it is about the action.

I knew he was going to say this at some point, but I'm a little sad that they showed it in the trailer.

Did he jump off a fucking fighter jet?

At any rate, Timothy Olyphant is in it. Neato!

I'm a bit intrigued since it doesn't even seem like a Die Hard flick. Going in a different direction using a completely over-the-top John Woo-ish kind of film-making will make or break it, I suppose.

Plus, Timothy Ophyant rocks, and I think Justin Long is an underrated comedic actor. If anything, I think Kevin Smith is in it...yeah, I'm a dork...

The movie is directed by a guy who has directed 2 movies in his entire career...Underworld, and Underworld TWO. Game over John McClane, take a que from Danny Glover and admit "you're getting too old for this shit".

On the other hand, if Carl from Family Matters shows up again in this Die Hard, it's going to be the best movie ever.

I could reproduce most of that trailer with shots cut out of "True Lies".

"I'm gonna kill this guy, and get my daughter. I'll go get my daughter and kill this guy. I'll kill all of them."

Even if they are a helicopter

This was a fun article. My compliments.

I'm looking forward to this much more than Spidy 3; but then I hate Venom and I love overblown 80s style action movies where they wreck lots and lots of cars.

"Did you see that?"

"See it? I just DID it."

And to be fair about the car/helicopter thing, he did use a toll-booth as a ramp... so it's like a homage to Godfather.

That's no computer-smart buddy, he's computer incarnate!

How dare you diss on Chuck Norris, may you go to hell sir!!

Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table by using the element of surprise!

looks like a fun movie. I mean, it is Bruce Willis. I'm not expecting an Oscar worthy film here.

Live Free or Die Hard is the best action movie title ever. It's simultaneously dumb as a box of shit and badass as a million tough as nails cops with a a chip on their shoulder and a hidden heart of gold. I'll be seeing it. I hope it's as gloriously silly and ass kicking as it should be.

At first, as much as I like Bruce Willis (all props to The Last Boy Scout), I was a bit unsure about seeing this upcoming movie. But then you mentioned Kevin Smith was involved...and now, whether I want to or not, I'm gonna have to see it...

Was this written by my grandma?

I think Die Hard was steeped in irony, and I'm pretty sure that was an essential part of why it was so successful. The film practically invented the whip-pan hyperkinetic trailer. I mean, I'm sure LFODH is going to be at least as awesome as Die Harder, but it's not like self-reflexive humor is a novel concept to the series.

wtb gif of bruce willis saying HELP COMPUTER.

See, I cried for about three solid minutes.

Please cinema executives, don't ruin my beloved Die Hard franchise with Len Wiseman's cgi bullshit.