# Die Hard 2

> 1990 film directed by Renny Harlin

**Wikidata**: [Q105993](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105993)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Hard_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/die-hard-2

## Summary
*Die Hard 2* is a 1990 action film directed by Renny Harlin, serving as the sequel to the 1988 film *Die Hard*. It stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, who confronts terrorists at Washington Dulles International Airport. The film grossed over $240 million worldwide and solidified the *Die Hard* franchise's reputation for high-stakes action.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: July 4, 1990 (United States)
- **Director**: Renny Harlin
- **Starring**: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Sadler, Dennis Franz
- **Genre**: Action film, thriller, crime film
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes
- **Budget**: $40 million
- **Box Office**: $240.7 million (worldwide), $115 million (domestic)
- **Preceded by**: *Die Hard* (1988)
- **Followed by**: *Die Hard with a Vengeance* (1995)
- **Production Companies**: 20th Century Studios, Silver Pictures
- **Filming Locations**: Washington Dulles International Airport, Maryland, USA
- **Music**: Michael Kamen
- **Awards**: Nominated for a Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film
- **Notable Line**: "Yippee-ki-yay, mother—er!"
- **Part of Series**: *Die Hard* (inception: 1988)
- **Sitelink Count**: 54 (Wikipedia language editions)
- **Wikidata ID**: Q2716420
- **IMDb ID**: tt0099423
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: no2003092273
- **National Film Registry ID**: 169539076

## FAQs
**What is *Die Hard 2* about?**  
*Die Hard 2* follows John McClane as he investigates a terrorist plot at Washington Dulles International Airport, uncovering a conspiracy involving a drug lord's release and a plane sabotage scheme.

**Who directed *Die Hard 2*?**  
The film was directed by Renny Harlin, known for his work on *Cliffhanger* and *Deep Blue Sea*.

**How does *Die Hard 2* relate to the *Die Hard* franchise?**  
As the second installment, it continues John McClane's battles against terrorism, maintaining the franchise's focus on intense action and suspense.

**What was the critical and commercial reception of *Die Hard 2*?**  
The film received mixed reviews but performed well commercially, grossing over $240 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.

**Where can I watch *Die Hard 2*?**  
*Die Hard 2* is distributed by 20th Century Studios and available on major streaming platforms and digital purchase services.

## Why It Matters
*Die Hard 2* is significant for expanding the *Die Hard* franchise, demonstrating the viability of action sequels in maintaining box office success. It reinforced Bruce Willis's status as an action hero and influenced the genre's emphasis on large-scale set pieces and terrorist-themed plots. The film's portrayal of airport security vulnerabilities resonated with early 1990s audiences, reflecting post-Cold War anxieties.

## Notable For
- Grossing over $240 million worldwide, surpassing its predecessor's domestic earnings.
- Introducing a larger-scale threat compared to the first film, involving an entire airport.
- Featuring practical effects for explosive sequences, characteristic of 1990s action films.
- Nominated for a Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film.
- Filmed on location at Washington Dulles International Airport, enhancing realism.
- Reinforcing Bruce Willis's action hero status and the *Die Hard* franchise's commercial potential.

## Body

### History and Development
*Die Hard 2* was released on July 4, 1990, directed by Renny Harlin. The film was developed to capitalize on the success of the original *Die Hard*, with a script inspired by Walter Wager's novel *58 Minutes*. Filming took place at Washington Dulles International Airport and in Maryland, emphasizing practical effects for stunts and explosions.

### Plot Overview
John McClane uncovers a terrorist plot at Dulles Airport, where mercenaries aim to free a imprisoned drug lord by sabotaging air traffic control systems. The film's climax features a showdown on a runway, showcasing large-scale action sequences.

### Genre and Themes
- **Action Film**: High-stakes stunts and explosive set pieces.
- **Thriller**: Focus on suspense and time-sensitive threats.
- **Crime Film**: Involves drug trafficking and terrorism.

Themes include:
- Vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure (airport security).
- Individual heroism against organized threats.
- Continuation of McClane's character arc as a reluctant hero.

### Production Details
- **Production Companies**: 20th Century Studios and Silver Pictures.
- **Budget**: $40 million.
- **Box Office**: $240.7 million worldwide.
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes.
- **Release Dates**: 
  - United States: July 4, 1990
  - United Kingdom: September 28, 1990
  - Germany: October 25, 1990

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Renny Harlin.
- **Lead Actor**: Bruce Willis (John McClane).
- **Supporting Cast**: Bonnie Bedelia (Holly McClane), William Sadler (Colonel Stuart), Dennis Franz (Captain Carmine Lorenzo).

### Technical Aspects
- **Visual Effects**: Practical effects for explosions and stunts.
- **Cinematography**: Emphasized airport settings and aerial action.
- **Sound Design**: Heightened tension through ambient noise and Michael Kamen's score.

### Reception and Ratings
- **IMDb Rating**: 6.3/10.
- **Rotten Tomatoes**: 69%.
- **Metacritic**: 67/100.

### Cultural Impact
*Die Hard 2* addressed early 1990s concerns about terrorism and infrastructure security, resonating with post-Cold War audiences. Its success paved the way for further sequels and solidified the *Die Hard* franchise's influence on action cinema.

### Franchise Context
- **Part of Series**: *Die Hard* (inception: 1988).
- **Preceded by**: *Die Hard* (1988).
- **Followed by**: *Die Hard with a Vengeance* (1995).
- **Legacy**: Demonstrated the commercial viability of action sequels and reinforced the franchise's emphasis on large-scale threats.

### Distribution and Availability
- **Official Website**: [20th Century Studios](https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/die-hard-2).
- **Digital Platforms**: Available on major streaming services and digital purchase platforms.
- **Merchandising**: Tie-in novels, video games, and collectibles released alongside the film.

### Critical and Fan Reception
The film received mixed reviews for its plot but praise for its action sequences. Audiences appreciated the return of Bruce Willis as John McClane and the film's ability to deliver high-octane thrills.

### Related Entities
- **Die Hard (1988)**: The original film that launched the franchise.
- **Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)**: The third installment in the series.
- **20th Century Studios**: Production and distribution company.
- **Silver Pictures**: Production company involved in the film's development.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film**: Nominated (1991).
- **National Film Registry**: Not included, but recognized for its cultural impact on action cinema.

### Legacy
*Die Hard 2* remains a notable entry in the *Die Hard* series, showcasing the franchise's ability to adapt to evolving action film trends. Its influence is evident in subsequent films featuring large-scale terrorist threats and hero-driven narratives. The film's portrayal of airport security vulnerabilities continues to resonate, making it a relevant entry in discussions on action movie tropes and 1990s cinema.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. Virtual International Authority File
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4. The Movie Database
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7. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=diehard2.htm)
8. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=17301&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
9. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099423/releaseinfo)
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