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Die Hard 2 Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    67

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

    For a film so antsy to start that it barely flashes its opening title, Die Hard 2 takes a curiously long time to get off the ground. Like many return trips, what was once exhilarating is now a bit flat. [3 July 1990]

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    A number of scenes have been staged with satisfying kinetic flair, and Willis once again makes an appealing superhero. Yet without that great big booby-trapped skyscraper to hold the action together, the suspense dissipates.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

    A smart, spectacular and rousing piece of work, one that strains against but can't quite escape the natural limitations imposed by a sequel. [4 July 1990, p.C1]

  • 88

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    It's not as crisply directed, and the plot holes are easier to find, but Die Hard 2 is filled with the same sense of good-natured, wisecracking fun that infused the original.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Because Die Hard 2 is so skillfully constructed and well-directed, it develops a momentum that carries it past several credibility gaps that might have capsized a lesser film.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Die Hard 2 reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 15+

John McClane spreads vigilante Christmas cheer.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Die Hard 2 features constant and extreme violence. Both the good guys and the bad guys put innocent people in harm's way. They use strong language ("f--k" and "s--t") and physical violence to get their points across. In addition, as with all of the Die Hard films, the protagonist McClane seeks justice through his own means that are contrary to rules of law.

  • 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?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: "Good" and "bad" are clearly distinguished but violence is used to solve all problems. It presents a very complex image of government, police, and civilians (traitors, incompetents, and vigilantes).

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: The film includes extremely violent individuals, both on the sides of good and evil. All engage in excessive violence, but the film does not really interrogate the type of violence used by the film's hero. His role as savior for the innocent rationalizes his killings in the world of the film.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: Murder of the innocent, lots of gunplay, freak accidents involving machinery, explosions, human stampedes, graphic executions of members of the police force, knife fight and graphic stabbing, throat slitting, dismembering, plane explosion, premeditated airplane crash (and death of all of its passengers.)

  • sex false3

    Sex: Brief (non-sexualized) male nudity.

  • language false5

    Language: Repeated use of "f--k," plus "s--t," "c--ksucker," "a--hole," and more.

  • consumerism false1

    Consumerism: Twinkies.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.714
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3

by geoelevation25

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