Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)

With this having been the first DH film I ever watched (and the only one so far I have seen upon its original theatrical release), I hold a quiet sense of satisfaction that over time it seems to have become generally people's favourite of the series, next to the original. It is much more original than its predecessor, and has much higher-caliber supporting players in Jeremy Irons and Samuel L. Jackson--not to mention the best director the franchise has ever had.
This was great to see once again, and I STILL have nightmares with that wicked Katya (played by composer Sam Phillips) slicing my head off...

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) is a step up from the second movie but still does not capture what made the first one great. The plot skips any buildup and throws McClane straight into a city-wide puzzle game, which keeps the pace fast but makes everything feel more scripted than natural. Instead of building tension, the movie rushes from one scenario to the next, making it feel like the characters are just following a trail without questioning anything. The script has some great banter, especially between Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, whose dynamic carries a lot of the movie. But the overall story feels more like a structured game than an unpredictable survival situation, which takes away from the suspense.
John McTiernan’s directing is solid, and the cinematography makes good use of the New York setting, but the action never feels as intense as it should. Jeremy Irons as the villain is decent, but he lacks the presence and impact of Hans Gruber, making the conflict feel less personal. The score and sound design keep the energy up, but they do not add much beyond standard action beats. While this is the better sequel, it still lacks the raw tension and creativity that made Die Hard a classic. It is fun, but it feels like a well-organized maze rather than a high-stakes battle for survival.