Latest news with #DieHard2
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hollywood legend's 'bigger and better' action film streaming for free on BBC
Die Hard 2, the sequel to the 1988 hit action film Die Hard, is now available to watch for free online - and fans of the genre are in for a treat It's a rare find to come across film buffs who aren't familiar with Die Hard 2. This sequel to Die Hard is grander, costlier and more tumultuous. This 1990 action-packed spectacle continues the saga of detective John McClane and his extraordinary exploits. Directed by Renny Harlin and co-penned by Steven Souza and Doug Richardson, Die Hard 2 marks the second chapter in the Die Hard film franchise. The film stars silver screen legend Bruce Willis as the lead character John McClane, alongside a stellar cast including William Sadler, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, Art Evans, Dennis Franz, Franco Nero, Reginald VelJohnson, Fred Thompson, and John Amos. The film is currently available for streaming at no cost on BBC iPlayer. Set a year after McClane's daring escapades in LA from the first film, Die Hard 2 sees the LAPD detective at Washington Dulles International Airport, awaiting the arrival of his wife Holly on an incoming flight, reports the Express. In a twist of fate, that's the very night terrorists seize control of the airport, causing chaos and threatening to crash all incoming flights unless infamous drug lord Ramon Esperanza is released. It's up to McClane to thwart their plans before his wife's plane is endangered. Created with a budget of approximately $70 million, Die Hard 2 proved to be a massive hit at the cinema, earning more than $240 million globally - nearly twice what its predecessor made. It became the seventh biggest earner at the box office that year. Die Hard 2 was succeeded by Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013). Speaking about his involvement in creating the blockbuster during a 2021 chat with Empire, director Renny Harlin revealed: "When I look back, I think, 'Did I realise how young and inexperienced I was?' I was very passionate and confident, but not cocky, because I really had huge fears and doubts. We shot so much at night-time too, and I was just really stressed about not being able to sleep. So yes, I felt huge pressure." Describing the challenging elements of filming, Renny explained: "It's no secret the movie went over budget and over schedule. Not because we didn't plan things carefully - I was super-organised and responsible - but because it was the warmest winter in North America for, like, 60 years. So there was no snow anywhere. We were literally hunting for snow around the country and in Canada, while we were leasing this whole armada of aircraft." Achieving a 69 per cent critics approval rating, Die Hard 2 garnered mixed reviews, with one critic noting: "Packs plenty of punch, heavy-hitting adventure, and explosions galore." One critic drew comparisons to the original, remarking: "This disappointing followup to Die Hard has more action and bigger action, but considerably less suspense." Another reviewer lavished praise on the sequel, stating: "The filmmakers know the audience is challenging them to top themselves, and they've risen to the bait. Harlin and company build suspense the old-fashioned way. They earn it." Yet another critic enthused about the film's qualities: "Exquisite widescreen theatrics and explosive entertainment. It's an awesome machine of mayhem....a skilled sequel, a brass-knuckled bruiser of an action picture, and a sublime cinematic distraction." Die Hard 2 also received a mixed bag of reactions from fans, with one saying: "While they have ramped up the action sequences here, it lacks the claustrophobic setting of the original movie that helped make it an instant classic. Still an entertaining movie and one worth checking out." A different viewer offered a contrasting opinion: "Call me crazy but I think that this could be greater than the first one, and don't get me wrong the first one is a masterpiece of the action cinema but this one has more intensity, I don't know both are great movies." An additional fan shared their take on the sequel: "Still a fun Die Hard film but nowhere near as exciting as the first one. Very bleak, dark and ugly looking by contrast. Bruce is still great; full of energy and chaos. The villains were a little over the top and campy." For those keen to revisit or discover the high-octane thrills, Die Hard 2 is currently available for streaming at no cost on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Where to stream 'genius' action film with Bruce Willis for free
The film has been branded as both "iconic" and "genius" by fans A 'genius' action film that has become a fan favourite has been branded as "iconic" - and it is now available to stream at no cost. After the huge success of the original film in 1988, Die Hard 2 swiftly hit cinemas in 1990. With Bruce Willis reprising his role as John McClane, it rapidly climbed the popularity charts amongst audiences. Die Hard 2 sees John McClane (Bruce Willis) facing a gang of terrorists who are threatening an airport. Despite its August cinema debut, there remains considerable debate about whether the Die Hard franchise qualifies as festive viewing. The plot summary states: "Action-packed sequel. Off-duty cop John McClane spots suspicious activity at snowy Dulles Airport, where the fate of incoming flights falls into the hands of a rogue colonel, resulting in carnage before Christmas." Previously, viewers could access the film through a Disney Plus subscription. However, it's now available to watch without charge after being added to BBC iPlayer today (July 6), reports Surrey Live. Despite its older release date, the movie continues to captivate audiences as glowing reviews keep flooding in. With the film being described as "iconic" and "genius", one enthusiast commented: "Die Hard 2 is a great action movie, it doesn't surpass the first one, but it's an amazing movie." Another penned: ""Bigger, Badder, Better" said the movie poster for Die Hard 2 (Dieharder), and you know what, they're absolutely right. Swapping a Skyscraper and giving Police Officer "John McClane" (Action Star Bruce Willis) an entire Airport to play with is a genius idea, immediately upping the scope and scale from the first movie." A third added: "As always with all Die Hard films, truly iconic and legendary. A great sequel with a great storyline, soundtrack, comedy, action, emotion, and intensity. "A perfect family Christmas film to watch like the original, despite me watching it in April. With another, masterpiece and iconic performance by Bruce Willis, nailing his role as John McClaine as always." Over on Rotten Tomatoes, one critic commented: "My favorite Die Hard movie." Another commented: "Call me crazy but I think that this could be greater than the first one, and don't get me wrong the first one is a masterpiece of the action cinema but this one has more intensity, I don't know both are great movies." Die Hard 2 features Bruce Willis alongside Bonnie Bedelia, William Sadler and Reginald VelJohnson.
Telegraph
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Heathrow crisis ‘is same as plot of Die Hard 2'
The Heathrow airport shutdown has similarities to the plot of Die Hard 2, according to social media users. The film, starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, revolves around a terrorist attack at Washington Dulles International airport. Col William Stuart, who is a former US Special Forces colonel, and his men cut all communications with incoming planes and disable all runway lights in an attempt to rescue a drug lord from being extradited to the United States. The move leaves planes circling the airport and running low on fuel, with Col Stuart's men deliberately forcing a British jet to crash land, killing everyone on board. However, following the substation fire near Heathrow, flights were diverted to airports across Europe rather than left circling the airport. At least 1,351 flights going to and from the airport are set to be affected by the closure, with up to 291,000 passengers thought to be affected. Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, with specialist detectives on site at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, west London. The officers – also known as SO15 – will play a key role in trying to establish whether or not any hostile agents were involved in triggering the blaze. In Die Hard 2, McClane is forced to enlist the help of an airport cleaner to fight back against the terrorists and prevent a flight with his wife on board from crashing. One user on X said: 'Anybody else see the parallels between one sub station taking out Heathrow airport and the storyline in Die Hard 2 where one power cable took out the electricity to a whole airport? Where is John McClane today when you need him?' Another commented: 'No remote backup generators… What we can conclude is that no-one from Heathrow has ever seen Die Hard 2...' A third added: 'Sat here thinking did the infrastructure team at Heathrow not learn from Die Hard 2?!' In the film, McClane eventually defeats the terrorists and is reunited with his wife Holly after her plane lands safely on the runway guided by flames from McClane's previous battle. The disruption at Heathrow on Friday was also likened to the disruption caused to air traffic in the aftermath of the Sept 11 terror attacks. In a post on X this morning, Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'receiving regular updates' on the situation as he thanked emergency services. A Heathrow airport spokesman said the site will be 'safely able to begin some flights later [on Friday]'.
