Blame Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Jake Peralta! Die Hard hype is real

The Die Hard franchise on JioHotstar proved why John McClane remains a timeless, gritty action hero—raw, real, and worth every bit of the hype.

Bruce Willis as John McClane in a still from Die Hard

I was back at the old "What do I watch now?" crossroads after finishing Brooklyn Nine-Nine for what felt like the umpteenth time. Rewatching Jake Peralta's precinct antics had become nearly second nature for me. This time, though, things were different. It may have been Jake's fixation with Die Hard that started it all. Perhaps it was merely a case of extremely fortunate timing. I knew precisely what I was going to do that weekend when I discovered that the Die Hard franchise was finally available to stream on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) in India.

And so began my deep dive into the world of John McClane.

There's a unique experience in watching a movie you've only ever heard mentioned on other shows, especially a beloved show like Brooklyn Nine-Nine. John McClane is virtually a god to Jake Peralta. For viewers of the show, McClane represents more than simply a Hollywood hero; he serves as a cultural icon. Watching Die Hard made me feel like I was getting to know the real guy behind the legend, which was an unusually personal experience.

Die Hard (1988): The Blueprint

When it comes to masterclasses in tension, pace, and character development, the original Die Hard is in a league of its own. You won't find a traditional superhero like Bruce Willis' McClane. Gruff, sardonic, bloodied, and footless—that is him. Love and instinct propel him, nevertheless, and he is very human. Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman? Iconic. The suspenseful, treacherous, and unforgettable Nakatomi Plaza siege evoked the ideal level of claustrophobia.

ALSO READ: What makes Die Hard the perfect Christmas watch

It seemed like stepping into a dream when I watched Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber. I was amazed by how natural he was in a totally different part after seeing him play the complicated and menacing Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films. Despite his endearing and unsettling qualities, Gruber remained calm and unpredictable. It further solidified my admiration for Rickman's remarkable versatility; he was more than just a memorable antagonist; he was irresistible. A guy whose mind was sharper than a wand might hijack a building, and for an instant I lost track of the Potions lesson.

You can finally grasp the franchise's meteoric rise to fame after watching this film. Die Hard is undeniably a Christmas film, as Jake correctly predicted.

Watching the genre evolve

By watching all five films in sequence, I learnt more about how the action genre has developed (and, at times, regressed).

Die Hard 2 ramped it up a notch with its snowy Christmas backdrop and chaotic airport. Exciting nonetheless, though not quite as taut as the original.

With Samuel L. Jackson's addition, along with New York mayhem and high-stakes puzzles, Die Hard with a Vengeance revived the series. In fact, it's close to becoming my favourite.

Cyberterrorism and extreme stunts were the hallmarks of the Live Free or Die Hard techno-thriller of the 2000s. Honestly? Quite enjoyable, much to my surprise.

Alright, so A Good Day to Die Hard was like that faraway relative that tries a bit too hard. Even on a terrible day, being with McClane is better over most other days.

What makes John McClane so different

McClane's lack of interest in being a hero stood out to me in the movies. He had no desire for fame in rescuing the day. Just being in the wrong place at the wrong time got him there, and he didn't care. Seeing the entire franchise at once affected me harder since character arcs like that felt unusual now. The sanitised action parks of recent films have made these scenarios a reality for many people.

McClane bleeds. He swears. He loses it. He makes it.

I understood I wasn't merely watching Die Hard because Jake Peralta said so when I ended the fifth film. I was engrossed in it because it served as a visual reminder of the qualities of excellent action narrative. Hard-working and rooted. Violent yet deeply felt. Witty without being campy.

I understand the fuss now. In other words, I can "feel" the excitement. Even with my bare feet and shattered glass, I'm totally on the Die Hard bandwagon.

Yippee-ki-yay, indeed!

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