Die Hard is one of the absolute best action movies I've ever seen. It's perfectly executed and paced. I'd put it right up there with Predator in the sense of it being a classic action movie.
The second reminds me of Temple of Doom in some ways. IMO Die Hard is the perfect action movie; there's a level of the badass-ery you need in an action movie, and there's also a great underlining of humor which keeps you entertained; this is mixed together with great characters. In short, it's the blueprint for a great action movie. Die Harder on the other hand seems like the blueprint for the over the top, dumbass action movie. I've said many times that Temple of Doom is basically the blueprint for modern over the top adventure movies (IE 2 hour chase n ride scenes).
With a Vengence is not nearly as good as the first movie, but it's a return to form nonetheless. It really goes a good job with the "buddy" action movie plot, which basically boils down to two guys who don't like each other getting into trouble, only to become great...buddies in the end. The action is tight, and even the over the top nature of some of the stunts are forgiven simply due to the chemistry between Willis and Jackson.
The trailers for 4.0 show as a few things. First off, it's clear there are going to be more over the top action sequences, more crazy stunts, and more insane "how did he do that?" moments. How else are they going to get the general public's attention away from POTC and Spider-Man? Second off, I think we can definitely say that the buddy aspect of this movie is going to be ugly. The Mac Guy is perhaps the most annoying asshat to grave the digital realm in ages. I hate him. The prospect of having to listen to him whine for two hours is NOT appealing to me. Why not have KEVIN SMITH in the buddy role and just let him improv all his lines lol? I would co-sign that decision
