FILMS OF 2021 #2: DIE HARD, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE & SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

Die Hard (1988)

Many people claim that this is a Christmas movie, and yet I say no it isn't. Just cos it's set at Christmas doesn't mean it's a Christmas movie.

It's the film that made Bruce Willis, introduced the world to Alan Rickman and cemented John McTiernan as one of the best action directors.

The plot sees a group of Euro-trash terrorists hi-jack an office Christmas Party on Christmas Eve as a cover for stealing 600 million dollars worth of bearer bonds, not realising that one of the guests is actually a NYPD cop called John McClane.

I've always loved this movie, and yet not seen it on the big screen in probably 20 odd years. Revisiting this, Elf and It's a Wonderful Life on the big screen again has been a delightful experience, films need to be seen on the big screen. I've watched Die Hard countless times on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray but it's only watching it on the big screen that you can utterly lose yourself in the movie, you seen things you miss on a small screen. Willis cared back then and it shows, Rickman loses himself in his breakout role as the leader of the gang of ex-terrorists, Hans Gruber and the movie gave Robert Davi a brief golden period in his career, leading to the role of the villain, Franz Sanchez, in the Bond film Licence to Kill.

This is a glorious action film that has no need for shaky cam or frenzied editing to convey drama, it's got an endlessly quotable script and it's well plotted and has no flabby centre, the way it sets up the scenario and introduces the villains is a masterclass in plotting. That coupled with good practical effects, some nifty compositing and a 15 cert for bloody violence, plus bare breasts makes it one of my top ten favourite films!

10/10

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

A one word review - Wonderful!

Just wonderful. Beautifully written, great direction and a superb performance by James Stewart. I just love this film. It's one of my four favourite Christmas movies along with A Christmas Story, Scrooge (1951) and Bad Santa and Die Hard, which I'm seeing tomorrow (yes I know that's five).

Produced and directed by Frank Capra, it always amazes me to realise that on its release this film flopped, and only became a Christmas stapple when first shown on American TVs in the 50s.

Seeing this restored version of IAWL on the big screen means you get to see things you probably missed if you've only watched it on a TV, count how many rooms the drawing of George lassoing the moon turns up for example. Stewart is brilliant as George Bailey, the richest man in town. He portrays Bailey from the age of approximately 20 to late 40s and without the need for elaborate make up. He is the prototype Tom Hanks and it's on his performance that the whole film swings. That's to take nothing away from the supporting cast, lead by the Donna Reed, who all give this film its huge heart and character.

The story sees George Bailey, a man who sacrifices his own dreams and ambitions for the greater good of Bedford Falls, who when, through no fault of his own, faces financial ruin and imprisonment decides to kill himself. He is saved by a trainee angel who grants him his wish of never having been born and discovers just how much his life has touched the lives of so many others.

For a film that's nearly 75 years old to be this captivating, this engrossing and this magical is a pure triumph. As a callow art school youth I scoffed at this and Singing in the Rain, believing them to be old and fuddy-duddy, despite the fact I'd never actually watched them. And in both cases I stumbled across them whilst watching tv, I came in half-way through in both cases and was captivated by both and I love them to this day.

This film lifts my spirit and makes me feel deeply moved and I bloody love it without reserve.

The perfect Christmas movie and one of my actual Top Ten Movies of all times.

10/10

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

What fun! Simply the best Marvel movie since Endgame.

Despite a somewhat flabby centre this film was a delight, mixing hi-jinx, humour, adventure and action with aplomb. It's no surprise to reveal the return of Dr Oct and the other villains from the past, but that's all I'm giving away.

There were sequences that had the audience gasping in delight and surprise and this film managed to be deeply moving, in two scene in particular, one of which had me chocking back the tears.

Last month's Ghostbusters, followed the Star Wars sequel playbook, and was happy to just recycle everything from its back catalogue, down to repeating actual storybeats, dialogue and action in the most obscene fan-serving fashion.

However, Spider-Man: No Way Home, despite bringing back characters from the previous seven films and featuring a guest character appearance by Dr. Strange, managed to do it all without a sense of fan-servicing.

The story in a nutshell see Peter Parker outed as Spider-Man and forced to ask Dr. Strange to cast a spell that will make everyone forget he's the webslinger, Parker not Strange. I mean why would Parker ask Strange to make the world forget Strange was Spider-man, when he's Strange not Spider-Man, no that would be strange.

Anyway, thanks to Parker, Strange balls it up and the worlds of the past seven Spider-Man movies collide in the most unexpected way and the multiverse is unleashed.

It's great to see Alfred Molina, Willem Defoe, Hayden Church, Jamie Foxx and others back, and Dr. Oct in particular is given a very satisfying story arc, revealing that Molina has a good sense of humour.

It's long, but it's also fun and Tom Holland, Zendaya, Morisa Tomei, in particular are fantastic. Okay so perhaps some of the dialogue is a tad shonky at times, but there is a lot of exposition to get across, but so what! What gives this film heart is Spider-Man, and we're gleefully reminded of just how fantastic he is and was in some truly delightful and surprising ways.

You don't need to have seen the past movies to enjoy this. What a great way to start the end of the year!

8/10