Die Hard (1988)

Anyone who knows anything about film knows Die Hard (1988) is an action (and Christmas) classic. While helping 20th Century Fox studios, the mega-blockbuster spawned the sequels Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013). So, what’s the key to its success? A strong cast, a succinct story, and everyday symbolism. Indeed, the common office building is a figurative battleground for the businessmen who compete for market domination every day within its confines, and the tower of commerce is a literal war zone for terrorists who take over a skyscraper. The evildoer Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) and his henchmen (Alexander Godunov and Clarence Gilyard) would seem to have a diabolical and failsafe plan: holding high-ranking hostages as perishable diversions while tapping into secret vaults and stealing a fortune in bonds. But the devil himself will have his schemes derailed if his bad intentions include harming the estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) of a New York City cop (Bruce Willis) who just happens to be crawling about shoeless in the ventilation system of the lofty suites. Where others perceive heart-jolting danger and suspense, this flatfoot only sees a chance to win back his lady’s affection. And when it comes to women affecting us, we must mention the movie’s abduction scene which is spiced up by Cheryl Baker. Her blouse opens and her bare boobs appear when she’s yanked out of a room. Now, about yanking . . .