A movie that lauded by enthusiasts as an ‘exceptional addition’ to an ‘iconic’ series will be broadcast on television tonight.
The original film is frequently recommended as a top Christmas viewing choice, but the fourth chapter of the Die Hard franchise will be aired on ITV1 just a few days post-Christmas.
It’s being shown on Saturday, December 28 at 11.05pm. Those who prefer an earlier start or can’t hold their anticipation will need to acquire a Disney+ subscription where it’s also available for streaming.
Initially launched as Die Hard 4.0 outside North America in 2007, it eventually adopted its US title, Live Free or Die Hard. It’s another sequel to the much-loved action series.
Similar to its predecessors, Die Hard 4 derived its storyline from different sources.
Justin Long and Bruce Willis team up for the fourth film in the series (Image: Fox)
Don’t miss…
The first two films were based on novels by Roderick Thorp and Walter Wager respectively, the third was adapted from a spec script titled Simon Says, while the fourth drew inspiration from an article about cyberwarfare penned by John Carlin.
In the movie, Bruce Willis reprises his role as NYPD detective John McClane and is tasked with apprehending a computer hacker portrayed by Justin Long. He soon finds himself embroiled in a lethal game of cat and mouse against menacing cyber terrorists led by Timothy Olyphant’s character, Thomas Gabriel.
It has been hailed as the most popular sequel in the series, ranking second only to the original when rated by Rotten Tomatoes with an impressive 82%. One enthusiast took to the internet to claim it’s the “best film in the franchise in my opinion.”
Fans believe it is one of the best sequels in the series (Image: Rex)
Disney Plus – Get 12 months for the price of 10
Disney+ costs £7.99 per month, or £79 per year. If you subscribe to an annual plan, you’ll get 12-months of the streaming service for the price of 10
The film wasn’t without its controversies upon release; fans were divided over the decision to edit out strong language and reduce the US rating from R to PG-13. This meant that even John McClane’s legendary catchphrase was cut short to just “Yippee Ki Yay”. However, the Ultimate Action Edition DVD later restored the full iconic line.
Despite these changes, the movie remains a fan favourite. A review shared online raved: “Live Free or Die Hard is an exceptional addition to the collection. It is an action-packed thriller with once again, a genius plot which takes John and Matt on a literally explosive journey. I was pretty blown away by many of the stunts performed in this film, especially those combined with the hand-to-hand combat scenes.
“The acting and filming was solid, and the humour was such a gem which took me back to the reason by the original movie was so amazing. Overall, a satisfying action thriller which is a must-see for all Die Hard fans.”
Another viewer commented: “A film worth watching, and one that was a great addition to Die Hard and a great concept, all it needs is a longer ending in my honest opinion, overall iconic!”
Die Hard 4 is on ITV1 at 11.05pm Saturday, December 28 and streaming on Disney+.