Review of Die Hard 2

Video

As with Die Hard, this film is just crying out for an anamorphic print, considering its large aspect ratio. Contrast can be a bit low in places, and there is a definite brownish tinge to the image, colour saturation isnt great either. But its watchable, although it could be a lot better.

As for the special effects, they are very good, especially those involving great big jumbo jets distributing their airframe all over the runway in a ball of smoke and fire. The end sequence involving a full size 747 is brilliantly shot and probably cost the earth to do.

Audio

The orchestral soundtrack is good, in fact its actually pretty much identical to the prequel of this film. This isn`t necessarily a bad thing because it is a very nice score. Sound effects are as good and well placed as in Die Hard, but for some reason I think thats a better audio track. Don`t ask me, I don`t know why, maybe this is just bigger explosions and more gunfire, ultimately contributing to a busier and less subtle experience.

Features

Like the prequel disc, the menus are nicely animated. It has a similarly styled featurette, and nice chapter selection screens, with a decent number of spots well placed all over the film. Unfortunately thats all there is too it.

Conclusion

An awful lot of sequels are inferior to the original, and yes this is one of those. It`s not as visually stimulating, or as well crafted story wise, and far more of the script by numbers most action films have become. But it is still very watchable and enjoyable none the less.

Willis is once again on form, and up against the bad guys as well as the authorities, but he is unfortunately angrier in this movie than before and a marginally less likeable character than before. But as an action hero, I`d far rather watch him than the body building and karate kicking lot, and this isnt all that bad. Overall then, very watchable indeed, there is tension there too but it isn`t quite as good as Die Hard.