Live Free or Die Hard

Live Free or Die Hard (released as Die Hard 4.0 outside North America) is a 2007 American action-thriller film and the fourth installment in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by Len Wiseman and starred Bruce Willis as John McClane. The film's name was adapted from New Hampshire's state motto, "Live Free or Die". In the film, McClane attempts to stop cyber-terrorists who hack into government and commercial computers across the United States with the goal of starting a "fire sale" that would disable key elements of the nation's infrastructure. The film was based on the 1997 article "A Farewell to Arms" written for Wired magazine by John Carlin.

Live Free or Die Hard
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLen Wiseman
Produced byMichael Fottrell
Screenplay byMark Bomback
Story by
Based on
Starring
Music byMarco Beltrami
CinematographySimon Duggan
Edited byNicolas De Toth
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • June 12, 2007 (2007-06-12) (Tokyo)
  • June 27, 2007 (2007-06-27) (United States)
Running time
129 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$110 million[1]
Box office$388.2 million[1]

Live Free or Die Hard was released in the United States on June 27, 2007. The film grossed $388 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing installment in the Die Hard series, and received generally positive reviews from critics, who called the film a return to form for the series. It is the only Die Hard film to be theatrically released with a PG-13 rating from the MPAA, with an unrated edition later being made available. A fifth film, A Good Day to Die Hard, was released in 2013.

Plot

The FBI responds to a brief computer outage at its Cyber-Security Division by tracking down top computer hackers. The FBI asks New York City Police Department detective John McClane to bring in hacker Matthew Farrell (Justin Long). McClane arrives at Farrell's residence just in time to save Farrell from assassins sent by Mai Linh (Maggie Q), who works for Thomas Gabriel.

On the way to Washington, D.C., Farrell tells McClane that he had written an algorithm for Linh that could crack a specific security system for white hat purposes. Meanwhile, Gabriel orders his crew of hackers (based in an 18-wheeler) to take control of transportation grids and the stock market, while also nationally broadcasting a message threatening the United States. Farrell recognizes this as the start of a "fire sale", which is a cyber attack designed to disable the nation's infrastructure. McClane and Farrell are driven to FBI headquarters, but Linh poses as a dispatcher and reroutes the convoy into an ambush. McClane fends off the attackers and destroys their helicopter.

After McClane pleads for his help, Farrell guesses that Gabriel's next target is the power grid, and he and McClane drive to a utility superstation in West Virginia. They find a team led by Linh taking over the superstation. McClane and Farrell kill the team, and Linh falls to her death following a struggle with McClane. Enraged over Linh's death, Gabriel redirects large amounts of natural gas to the utility superstation in an attempt to kill McClane and Farrell, although they are able to escape.

McClane and Farrell then travel by helicopter to the home of hacker Frederick "Warlock" Kaludis. Warlock identifies the piece of code Farrell wrote for Linh as a means to access data at a Social Security Administration building at Woodlawn, Maryland. Warlock tells them that Gabriel was a top security expert for the U.S. Department of Defense. Gabriel attempted to alert the Department to weaknesses that made America's network infrastructure vulnerable to cyberwarfare, but his unorthodox methods led to his dismissal. Warlock runs a traceroute and identifies Gabriel's location. Gabriel taps into their connection and reveals that he has located McClane's estranged daughter, Lucy, whom he kidnaps. McClane sends an image of Gabriel to the FBI. It is revealed that the Woodlawn building is actually an NSA facility intended to back up the nation's personal and financial records in the event of a cyber attack, which was designed by Gabriel himself. The attack on the FBI prompted a download of financial data to Woodlawn which Gabriel hopes to steal.

McClane and Farrell race to the Woodlawn facility; Farrell discovers one of Gabriel's men downloading financial information and manages to encrypt the data before he is captured. Gabriel then takes Farrell and Lucy with him as his team flees. McClane pursues Gabriel, hijacking the semi mobile base. Gabriel accesses the communication system of a United States Marine Corps Aviation F-35B Lightning II and orders the pilot to attack the truck McClane is driving. The jet is destroyed by falling debris and McClane survives and sees Gabriel's vehicle pull into a nearby hangar. There, Gabriel demands that Farrell decrypt the financial data; when Farrell refuses, Gabriel shoots him in the knee and threatens to kill Lucy. McClane arrives and kills two of Gabriel's henchmen but is himself shot in the shoulder by Gabriel's last henchman Emerson.

Gabriel positions himself behind McClane, putting the barrel of the gun in his shoulder wound. McClane then pulls the trigger. The bullet travels through McClane's shoulder and hits Gabriel in the chest, killing him. Farrell grabs a handgun and kills Emerson. Afterwards, McClane thanks Farrell for saving Lucy's life.

Cast

Additional characters include Gabriel's henchmen: Chris Palmero as Del, Andrew Friedman as Casper and Bryon Weiss as Robinson. Chris Ellis appears as Jack Sclavino, McClane's superior officer. Sung Kang makes an appearance as Raj, a desk officer of FBI's cyber division. Matt O'Leary appears as Clay, a hacker who unwittingly gives Gabriel a code, allowing his house to be destroyed. Jake McDorman plays a small role as Jim, Lucy's boyfriend. Tim Russ (whose best known role is Tuvok from Star Trek Voyager) appears as an NSA agent. Rosemary Knower has a cameo as Mrs. Kaludis, Frederick's mother.

Production

Script and title

The film's plot is based on an earlier script entitled WW3.com by David Marconi, screenwriter of the 1998 film Enemy of the State.[6] Using John Carlin's Wired magazine article entitled "A Farewell to Arms", Marconi crafted a screenplay about a cyber-terrorist attack on the United States.[7][8] The attack procedure is known as a "fire sale", depicting a three-stage coordinated attack on a country's transportation, telecommunications, financial, and utilities infrastructure systems. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the project was stalled, only to be resurrected several years later and rewritten into Live Free or Die Hard by Doug Richardson and eventually by Mark Bomback.[9]

Willis said in 2005 that the film would be called Die Hard 4.0, as it revolves around computers and cyber-terrorism. IGN later reported the film was to be called Die Hard: Reset instead.[10] 20th Century Fox later announced the title as Live Free or Die Hard and set a release date of June 29, 2007 with filming to begin in September 2006.[11][12] The title is based on New Hampshire's state motto, "Live Free or Die", which is attributed to a quote from General John Stark. International trailers use the Die Hard 4.0 title,[13] as the film was released outside North America with that title. Early into the film's DVD commentary, both Wiseman and Willis note a preference for the title Die Hard 4.0.[14]

Visual effects

For the visual effects used throughout the film, actor Bruce Willis and director Len Wiseman stated that they wanted to use a limited amount of computer-generated imagery (CGI).[15] One VFX producer said that "Len was insisting on the fact that, because we’ve got Transformers and other big CG movies coming out, this one has to feel more real. It has to be embedded in some kind of practical reality in order to give it that edge of being a Die Hard."[16] Companies such as Digital Dimension, The Orphanage, R!ot, Pixel Magic, and Amalgamated Pixels assisted in the film's visual effects.[16]

Digital Dimension worked on 200 visual effects shots in the film,[17] including the sequence that shows characters John McClane and Matt Farrell crouching between two cars as another car lands on top of the other cars. To achieve this effect, a crane yanked the car and threw it in the air onto the two cars that were also being pulled by cables. The shot was completed when the two characters were integrated into the footage of the car stunt after the lighting was adjusted and CGI glass and debris were added.[16] In the same sequence, John McClane destroys a helicopter that several of Gabriel's henchman are riding in by ramming it with a car. This was accomplished by first filming one take where one of Gabriel's henchman, Rand, jumps from the helicopter, and in the next take the car is propelled into the stationary helicopter as it is hoisted by wires. The final view of the shot overlays the two takes, with added CGI for the debris and moving rotor blades.[16] The company also assisted in adding cars for traffic collisions and masses of people for evacuations from several government buildings.[17]

The Orphanage developed a multi-level freeway interchange for use in one of the film's final scenes by creating a digital environment and a 1,000-foot (300 m) long spiral ramp that was built in front of a bluescreen.[18] When a F-35 jet is chasing McClane on the freeway, a miniature model and a full-size prop were both built to assist in digitally adding the jet into the scene.[18][19] The nine-foot model was constructed from November 2006 through February 2007.[18] When the jet is shown hovering near the freeway, editors used the software 3D graphics program Maya to blur the background and create a heat ripple effect.[18]

Filming and injuries
Justin Long, Bruce Willis, and Len Wiseman filming on location in Baltimore

Filming for Live Free or Die Hard started in downtown Baltimore, Maryland on September 23, 2006.[20] Eight different sets were built on a large soundstage for filming many scenes throughout the film.[21] When recording the sound for the semi trailer used in one of the film's final scenes, 18 microphones were used to record the engine, tires, and damage to the vehicle.[21] Post-production for the film only took 16 weeks, when it was more common for similar films to use 26 weeks.[21]

An FBI Police Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor used during filming

In order to prevent possible injuries and be in peak condition for the film, Willis worked out almost daily for several months prior to filming.[22] Willis was injured on January 24, 2007 during a fight scene, when he was kicked above his right eye by a stunt double for actress Maggie Q who was wearing stiletto heels. Willis described the event as "no big deal" but when Len Wiseman inspected his injury, he noticed that the situation was much more serious than previously thought—in the DVD commentary, Wiseman indicates in inspecting the wound that he could see bone. Willis was hospitalized and received seven stitches which ran through his right eyebrow and down into the corner of his eye. Due to the film's non-linear production schedule, these stitches can accidentally be seen in the scene where McClane first delivers Farrell to Bowman.[23]

Throughout filming, between 200 and 250 stunt people were used.[21] Bruce Willis' stunt double, Larry Rippenkroeger, was knocked unconscious when he fell 25 feet (7.6 m) from a fire escape to the pavement. Rippenkroeger suffered broken bones in his face, several broken ribs, a punctured lung, and fractures in both wrists. Due to his injuries, production was temporarily shut down. Willis personally paid the hotel bills for Rippenkroeger's parents and visited him a number of times at the hospital.[24]

Kevin Smith recalls rewriting scenes on the set of Live Free or Die Hard in his spoken word film Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith.[5]

Rating

In the United States, the first three films in the Die Hard series were rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America. Live Free or Die Hard, however, was edited to obtain a PG-13 rating. In some cases, alternate profanity-free dialogue was shot and used or swearing was cut out in post-production to reduce profanity. Director Len Wiseman commented on the rating, saying "It was about three months into it [production], and I hadn't even heard that it was PG-13... But in the end, it was just trying to make the best Die Hard movie, not really thinking so much about what the rating would be."[14] Bruce Willis was upset with the studio's decision, stating, "I really wanted this one to live up to the promise of the first one, which I always thought was the only really good one. That's a studio decision that is becoming more and more common, because they’re trying to reach a broader audience. It seems almost a courageous move to give a picture an R rating these days. But we still made a pretty hardcore, smashmouth film."[25] Willis said he thought that viewers unaware that it was not an R-rated film would not suspect so due to the level and intensity of the action as well as the usage of some profanity, although he admitted these elements were less intense than in the previous films.[26][27] He also said that this film was the best of the four: "It's unbelievable. I just saw it last week. I personally think, it's better than the first one."[28]

In the United Kingdom, the British Board of Film Classification awarded the film a 15 rating (including the unrated version, released later), the same as Die Hard with a Vengeance and Die Hard 2, albeit both were cut for both theatrical and video release, (the first film in the series originally received an 18 certificate). All films have been re-rated 15 uncut. Die Hard 4.0 was released with no cuts made and the cinema version (i.e. US PG-13 version) consumer advice read that it "contains frequent action violence and one use of strong language".[29] The unrated version was released on DVD as the "Ultimate Action Edition" with the consumer advice "contains strong language and violence".[30]

In Australia, Die Hard 4.0 was released with the PG-13 cut with an M rating, the same as the others in the series (The Australian Classification Board is less strict with regards to language and to a lesser extent, violence). The unrated version was later released on DVD and Blu-ray also with an M rating. The film notably was never released in home media with its theatrical cut, and has only been released in Australia as the extended edition.

Reception

Box office

Live Free or Die Hard debuted at No. 2 behind Evan Almighty, at the U.S. box office and made $9.1 million in its first day of release in 3,172 theaters, the best opening day take of any film in the Die Hard series (not taking inflation into account).[31][32] On its opening weekend Live Free or Die Hard made $33.3 million ($48.3 million counting Wednesday and Thursday).[33] The film made $134.5 million domestically, and $249.0 million overseas for a total of $383.5 million, making it the twelfth highest-grossing film of 2007.[1] As of 2011, it is the most successful film in the series.[34][31]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 82% based on 210 reviews, and an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Live Free or Die Hard may be preposterous, but it's an efficient, action-packed summer popcorn flick with thrilling stunts and a commanding performance by Bruce Willis. Fans of the previous Die Hard films will not be disappointed."[35] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 69 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[36] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale.[37]

IGN stated "Like the recent Rocky Balboa, this new Die Hard works as both its own story about an over-the-hill but still vital hero and as a nostalgia trip for those who grew up with the original films."[38] On the television show Ebert & Roeper, film critic Richard Roeper and guest critic Katherine Tulich gave the film "two thumbs up", with Roeper stating that the film is "not the best or most exciting Die Hard, but it is a lot of fun" and that it is his favorite among the Die Hard sequels. Roeper also remarked, "Willis is in top form in his career-defining role."[39] Michael Medved gave the film three and a half out of four stars, opining, "a smart script and spectacular special effects make this the best Die Hard of 'em all."[40]

Conversely, Lawrence Toppman of The Charlotte Observer stated: "I can safely say I've never seen anything as ridiculous as Live Free or Die Hard." Toppman also wrote that the film had a lack of memorable villains and referred to John McClane as "just a bald Terminator with better one-liners".[41]

Soundtrack
Live Free or Die Hard
Soundtrack album by
Marco Beltrami
ReleasedJuly 2, 2007
Length63:06
LabelVarèse Sarabande

The score for Live Free or Die Hard, written by Marco Beltrami, was released on July 2, 2007 by Varèse Sarabande (which also released the soundtracks for the first two Die Hard films), several days after the United States release of the film. This was the first film not to be scored by Michael Kamen, due to his death in 2003; Beltrami incorporates Kamen's thematic material into his score, but Kamen is not credited on the film or the album. Other songs in the film include "Rock & Roll Queen" by The Subways, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival and "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf. Eric Lichtenfeld, reviewing from Soundtrack.net, said of the score: "The action cues, in which the entire orchestra seems percussive, flow well together."[42]

  1. "Out of Bullets" (1:08)
  2. "Shootout" (3:41)
  3. "Leaving the Apartment" (2:08)
  4. "Dead Hackers" (1:31)
  5. "Traffic Jam" (4:13)
  6. "It's a Fire Sale" (2:57)
  7. "The Break-In" (2:28)
  8. "Farrell to D.C." (4:36)
  9. "Copter Chase" (4:41)
  10. "Blackout" (2:03)
  11. "Illegal Broadcast" (3:48)
  12. "Hurry Up!" (1:23)
  13. "The Power Plant" (2:01)
  14. "Landing" (2:28)
  15. "Cold Cuts" (2:00)
  16. "Break a Neck" (2:47)
  17. "Farrell Is In" (4:22)
  18. "The F-35" (4:13)
  19. "Aftermath" (3:12)
  20. "Live Free or Die Hard" (2:56)

Home media release

The Blu-ray and DVD were released on October 29, 2007, in the United Kingdom,[43] on October 31 in Hungary,[44] November 20 in the United States,[45] and December 12 in Australia. The DVD topped rental and sales charts in its opening week of release in the U.S. and Canada.[46][47] There is an unrated version, which retains much of the original 'R-rated' dialogue, and a theatrical version of the film. However, the unrated version has a branching error resulted in one of the unrated changes to be omitted. The film briefly switches to the PG-13 version in the airbag scene; McClane's strong language is missing from this sequence (although international DVD releases of the unrated version are unaffected).[48] The Blu-ray release features the PG-13 theatrical cut which runs at 128 minutes, while the Collector's Edition DVD includes both the unrated and theatrical versions. Time magazine's Richard Corliss named it one of the Top 10 DVDs of 2007, ranking it at No. 10.[49] In 2015, the movie was featured in the "Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza" boxed set, which featured the unrated cut of the film on Blu-Ray for the first time in the US.[50] In 2017, the movie was included in the "Die Hard Collection" Blu-ray set with all 5 films in it.[51] Though unlike the DVD, the Blu-ray doesn't contain the branching error during the airbag scene.

The DVD for the film was the first to include a Digital Copy of the film which could be played on a PC or Mac computer and could also be imported into several models of portable video players.[52] Mike Dunn, a president for 20th Century Fox, stated "The industry has sold nearly 12 billion DVDs to date, and the release of Live Free or Die Hard is the first one that allows consumers to move their content to other devices."[52]

References
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