Die Hard 2 (1990)

I was 10 in 1990, I loved Die Hard, and I hated Die Hard 2.
Now I'm 40 and I am rewatching this and.... compared to movies today it is pretty good. If this was made in 2020 it would be a 10 out of 10 star smash blockbusting hit that all of America raves about except the "everything is political all the time crowd."
But it didn't, it came out in 1990 and because of that it was a subpar sort of BS action movie that in no way lived up to the first one.
The thing is... I'm writing the review in 2020. Today it's a good movie if you compare it to most everything in the theaters today and especially to the new Die Hard movies.

Die Hard 2 (1990) is a solid action movie that delivers high-energy sequences and a familiar setup, but it lacks the magic that made the first one a classic. The plot follows a similar structure, with John McClane once again caught in a high-stakes situation, but the tension does not feel as sharp this time. The script has its moments, keeping McClane’s signature humor and attitude intact, but it leans more on spectacle than smart problem-solving. The airport setting feels expansive, but it does not create the same sense of claustrophobic intensity as Nakatomi Plaza, making the action feel bigger but less impactful.
Renny Harlin’s directing keeps the pace fast, and the cinematography does a good job of maintaining momentum, but the action sequences feel more chaotic than calculated. Bruce Willis still carries the movie with his charisma, but the villains are less memorable, and the overall conflict does not feel as compelling. The score and sound design are effective in keeping the energy high, but they do not add much beyond standard action beats. Die Hard 2 is an entertaining sequel with plenty of action, but it feels like it is trying to recreate the first film rather than build on it.