Review of Die Hard 4.0
Gore, Mayhem and Destruction
Die Hard 4.0 is the most fun of the four Die Hard movies. Bruce Willis acting as John Mclane of NYPD is more relaxed and more into his role as a “someone has to do it” hero. His failed marriage and estranged daughter are some attempt at character development from the last three movies. However the appeal of the Die Hard movies is not the violence or the shooting but of a man, who is a well trained police officer, are able to endure incredible amount of punishment and injuries, has unbelievable luck, and plain too stubborn to give up. The visual effects are great and John managed to demolish buildings, cars, SUVs, a semi trailer truck, road flyovers, and even a fighter aircraft! This is in addition to shooting lots and lots of bullets.
The plot was a master criminal who was out to create maximum chaos by crippling the US computer systems by what hackers call a fire-sale. Destroy or disrupt the computer systems of traffic, utilities, financial, and military and you would have created a fire-sale. Total chaos and you can take what you want.
I know it is difficult to justify but I find watching the mayhem of Die Hard movies very therapeutic for me. After a hard day at the hospital, dealing with stressed out parents and sick children, and ministry related work at church, I find watching total destruction very relaxing. I guess some people de-stress by exercising, gardening, or listening to music. Me, give me gore, mayhem, and total destruction.
Does that sound strange coming from a doctor and follower of Christ?
Gore, Mayhem and Destruction
Die Hard 4.0 is the most fun of the four Die Hard movies. Bruce Willis acting as John Mclane of NYPD is more relaxed and more into his role as a “someone has to do it” hero. His failed marriage and estranged daughter are some attempt at character development from the last three movies. However the appeal of the Die Hard movies is not the violence or the shooting but of a man, who is a well trained police officer, are able to endure incredible amount of punishment and injuries, has unbelievable luck, and plain too stubborn to give up. The visual effects are great and John managed to demolish buildings, cars, SUVs, a semi trailer truck, road flyovers, and even a fighter aircraft! This is in addition to shooting lots and lots of bullets.
The plot was a master criminal who was out to create maximum chaos by crippling the US computer systems by what hackers call a fire-sale. Destroy or disrupt the computer systems of traffic, utilities, financial, and military and you would have created a fire-sale. Total chaos and you can take what you want.
I know it is difficult to justify but I find watching the mayhem of Die Hard movies very therapeutic for me. After a hard day at the hospital, dealing with stressed out parents and sick children, and ministry related work at church, I find watching total destruction very relaxing. I guess some people de-stress by exercising, gardening, or listening to music. Me, give me gore, mayhem, and total destruction.
Does that sound strange coming from a doctor and follower of Christ?
Christianity Today Moves.com
Past the Popcorn
Rotten Tomatoes
Ben Witherington
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Ha ha I just watched TRANSFORMERS with my son and daughter. De-stress by watching movies where intellect must be suspended for two hours or so ....ya, perfectly understandable, rest for the tired mind.
ReplyDeletei actually feel the same way. i like to relieve stress by watching heads fly(!).
ReplyDeletewhat i think about sometimes is comparing watching violence with watching porn - is the difference one of degree or of kind?
presumably (at least i tell myself), it's a difference of kind. not the same thing.
but is it, really? is watching John McClane slam a car into a chopper an innocent activity but watching a lesbian show less so?
blogmaster,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you ae de-stressed by watching movies. I guess I am not alone in this.
alywn,
ReplyDeletegood comment. Is watching violence same as watching porno?
I have not thought about that before. Please give me some time to think about this.
oh, looks like i'm not de-stressing myself enough, as i've not been to the movies for ages.
ReplyDeleteor, could it be that movies just don't do it for me?
I know it is difficult to justify but I find watching the mayhem of Die Hard movies very therapeutic for me. After a hard day at the hospital, dealing with stressed out parents and sick children, and ministry related work at church, I find watching total destruction very relaxing.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha .. i laughed out loud reading this. I will remind myself when I watch my share of violent movies. One of the most violent being Kill Bill 1 & 2! Am trying to catch DH4.0 this week.
hi doc,
ReplyDeleteYou don't go to the movies!!!
What do you do to de-stress?
hi pearlie,
looks like I am discovering a gathering here of Christians who watch violent movies (doc being the exception) :)