In 1988, director John McTiernan, Bruce Willis and screenwriters Jeb Stuart and Steven DeSouza took the action film to new level with the enormously successful 'Die Hard'. Two years later, Willis would reprise his role as John McClane in the inevitable sequel, 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder', though McTiernan was not available to return as director. Which might explain why the second film lacked any of the freshness and originality of its predecessor (well, that and a lame ass story). After a five year break, Fox decided (at least) one more trip to the well would pay off. 'Die Hard With A Vengeance' would also mark the return of John McTiernan to the series, this time producing as well as directing. McTiernan chose to use a story line similar to the first film, a huge gold heist with terrorist bombing as a diversion, but by radically changing the environment from the closed in spaces of a skyscraper to the endless cityscape of New York and adding the element of an unwitting partner for McClane (superbly palyed by Samuel L. Jackson), instead of coming off as derivitive, there is actually some of the originality of the original 'Die Hard'. Some have considered the ending a little weak, but I found 'Die Hard With A Vengeance' a worthy installment in the series, certainly much better than 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder', and a great second half of a double feature with 'Die Hard'.
Those that have already seen Fox Video's recent remasters of the first two DH films may have had high expectations for the laser release of 'Die Hard With A Vengeance'. Happily, this is one of those occasions where high expectations are not just met, but surpassed. The laser edition of 'Die Hard With A Vengeance' is simply fantastic. The video transfer is absolutely state-of-the-art. I am amazed at the level of detail that has been squeezed out of NTSC video here. The clarity of the image is astounding and adds noticably to the pleasures of this disc. Colors are perfectly saturated and very natural. The aspect ratio looks to be spot on 2.35:1. I have to say, in many ways, this disc transfer looks better than the print I saw on opening day.
If the video looks better in some ways than the theatrical print, the soundtrack on this disc is better in every way. The one word I think of after experiencing this soundtrack is "precision". Every sound, every nuance, every explosion is rendered with a clarity and precision that places 'Die Hard With A Vengeance' at the pinnacle of the sound designer's art. The matrixed Dolby mix is exceptional with numerous directional effects and excellent use of the surround channel. I can't remember any film sounding better, overall, on laser disc than 'Die Hard With A Vengeance'. The disc also includes AC-3 audio for those so inclined.
'Die Hard With A Vengeance' runs 130 minutes and is spread to three sides, side 1 and 2 in CLV and side 3 in CAV, with 27 chapter markers for the feature. The side and platter breaks are well placed allowing for minimum disruption. Following the film, Fox has included trailers for all three 'Die Hard' pictures (all in different ratios, 'Die Hard' -2:1, 'Die Hard 2: Die Harder' -full screen, 'Die Hard With A Vengeance' -1.85:1). List price is $49.95. Highly recommended.
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