All decent and right-thinking people know that “Die Hard” is the best Christmas movie ever and if you disagree you’re simply wrong and I’m right. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way, so he won’t be joining us for the rest of his life.
Why is it the best Christmas movie ever? Let me explain.
Classic Christmas story.
What is Die Hard about? Sure, shooting, but at heart it’s about a man who’s way too into his job trying to see his family for Christmas, and hijinks related to his job get in the way and prevent him from doing so. It’s classic Christmas stuff.
Christmas music
You need Christmas music in your Christmas movie. Die Hard has “Christmas in Hollis” which right there is worth the price of admission but it’s got Reginald VelJohnson singing “Let it Snow” in LA, Christmas bells in the score, the works. Come on.
All kinds of Christmas references
Dead guys wearing Christmas hats. McClane taping a gun to himself with Christmas tape. His wife’s name is “Holly.” Come ON.
It’s about giving
John McClane gives his wife and the guests the best Christmas gift ever; their lives. Argyle gives John help, as does Powell. McClane also gives the bad guys many gifts in the form of shiny bullets and fire. Hans gives Ellis some unexpected vacation. Maybe Deputy Chief Robinson even gets some new FBI guys. Lightly used helicopters are practically falling from the sky! 'Tis the season!
Now is the time, and this is the thread, to discuss why Die Hard is so wonderful.
It’s got family bonding, when both John and Holly get to punch out the smarmy newsman.
The true meaning of Christmas comes through - do not live your life in hate, lest ye get sent to eternal damnation via machine gun. ho ho ho!
And there were in the same country police abiding in the field, keeping watch over their city by night.
And, lo, the angel of the death came upon them, and the hail of .223 flew round about them: and they were sore afraid.
But the angel of good said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, and C4, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is arrived this day in the City of Angels a Saviour, which is John the Mclane.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavy weapons, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Yippie-kai-yay, motherfuckers
It’s a Christmas movie about as much as The Poseidon Adventure is, or Lethal Weapon.
I tend to come down on the side of Die Hard being a Christmas movie, but yes, Bad Santa is indisputably the greatest Christmas movie ever made. Seriously, how is this even a discussion?
Miracle on 34th Street is the best “Christmas Movie” but
*Die Hard *and It’s Wonderful Life are 2 great Christmas Time Movies that just happen to take place at Christmas time.
BTW: *Fitzwilly *starring dick Van Dyke and Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon) and Shop Around the Corner (also Jimmy Stewart) are 2 more great Christmas Time Movies that aren’t “Christmas Movies”.
