[School of Movies 2025]

This is another revisit to one of the first films we ever covered, way back on Digital Gonzo at Christmas in 2010. The quintessential Holiday movie for those who want violence and swearing with their jingle bells. But if you go back and watch all five films (the final low-point didn't even exist when we covered this before) you will find some exceptional strengths in this one alone that all relate to precisely how it was constructed.

A creative team that didn't realise they were all at the top of their game, impeccable cinematography, editing, pacing, a red hot screenplay that fleshed out a rich supporting cast, a nervy, brooding score that builds and crescendos along with the perfect pacing, and two actors in the antagonistic lead roles of John and Hans who were hungry to prove themselves and turned in the most memorable big-screen performances on their first try.

But also, it had something the others lack, as did almost all other action thrillers of the era; The story is about a broken argument, and it weighs on estranged husband and wife for the duration. Also, in deciding that the villains be robbers rather than terrorists, director John McTiernan sealed the deal on this story being something it otherwise couldn't; colossal fun!

Guest: Matt Ramsey

Those early Digital Gonzo shows can be found on the School of Movies Archive podcast feed. They are rough as hell, amateur hour on my part and this one doesn't even break the sixty minute mark. The best bits are featured at the end, same as with Back to the Future. Many thanks to my vintage guests, Matt Ramsey, Nikki Taylor of GameBurst and Mike Philips of the Fanboys Lunchcast.