MovieChat Forums > Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) Discussion > This movie would never get made today.

This movie would never get made today.

posted 12 years ago by ziatonic
29 replies | jump to latest

I was re-watching the film on HBO just the other day and, after not seeing it in a few years, I was stricken with just how many plot points and pieces of dialogue would never be used in a movie today. Society is so politically correct and "sensitive" to any potentially "controversial" issue these days. Today, much of the film's content would have moronic people up in arms spouting criticisms towards the film "insensitivity". Such as...

The bombing of NYC subways. "No way, that's so insensitive. Due to 9/11 we can't have anything in an action movie ever blow up in NYC again."

Bombing schools? "THEY ARE CHILDREN!!!!"

A white guy forced to walk in Harlem with a sign that says *beep* on it? "Are you saying average black people are violent and will want to harm him?".

A NYC cop doesn't act ideally under stress? "Our police our heroes, not weak and bumbling!"

A fairly intelligent dialogue between the two main characters in which they argue about race and culture? "Ugh, these characters are so archetypical. Of course the black man would hate white people. Race isn't an issue any more".

Terrorists stealing from the Federal Reserve? "Are you trying to make a commentary about Wall Street and the world economy? What's wrong with American money and capitalism???? Are you a socialist?"

Now of course I am exaggerating a bit, but no intelligent person can tell me that, today, arguments resembling these "quotes" wouldn't be seen in the media and that the movie wouldn't be deemed "controversial" by someone or some group. Also, just for the record, I have lived 30 min from NYC my whole life and work in Manhattan. 9/11? Yeah, I'm over it... as are most New Yorkers. I want my NYC action movies back.

Watching 'Die Hard with a Vengeance' as an adult really struck a chord with me. I saw how much care the director and writers put into showing the little details about NYC. It's quite the intimate look at Manhattan and the Bronx.

You get to see old Yankee Stadium in the north (which now is a treat), then south Harlem, ride through the park (literally), and then end at Wall Street in the south. It's like an adventure in NYC, and particularly, one that's made for New Yorkers. Who else knows that the FDR Drive doesn't allow trucks? Or what it's like to get stuck in traffic and SO BADLY want to just plow through the park? (heh heh) And that NYC's excellent drinking water (the reason for the amazing bagels and pizza) comes from the Catskills? And to top it all off, Simon calls the #1 DJ (Elvis Duran) at the #1 NY radio station of the 90's (Z100) to create a panic.

So really, aside from the ending and a few ridiculous stunt sequences, this is a realistic, down to earth action movie that really is a love letter to NYC. And I suppose, reading all that I just wrote, this is my love letter to the film.

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 12 years ago

There have been plenty of films set in NY with explosions.
Springing to mind, superhero films like Spider-Man, Avengers, etc.

People do have a rather skewed view on certain films not being "allowed" to be made after 9/11...but this is simply not the case at all.

Of course they could still make this film today.
They just don't as most action films now go the PG-13 route and tone down EVERYTHING. Nothing to do with 9/11, just greedy producers wanting to get more ticket sales.

And so, God came forth and proclaimed widescreen is the best.
Sony 16:9

[–] ziatonic 11 years ago

I realize I shoulda been more specific. I meant to say PUBLIC things being blown up (by terrorists). Yeah you're right, explosions from vehicles and such are whatever....but bombing schools and subways? I feel studios would shy away from that.

Talking about this just made me think of Dark Knight Rises and the football stadium, but, that's a fake city. Everything in Die Hard is meant to be real yanno? No superheroes, no fake cities, just NYC. I dunno, I just don't feel this exact movie, in it's final cut, would be released today the way it is.

[–] CptHowdy87 11 years ago

There have been plenty of films set in NY with explosions.
Springing to mind, superhero films like Spider-Man, Avengers, etc.

What a laughably pathetic argument! "A couple of super hero fantasy movies had some explosions in them so you're whole point is null & void" JMcClane has got to be the most arrogant, smarmy and contentious poster on imdb.

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 11 years ago

Well that as just one simple example.
There have been dozens of action films that not only involve explosions, but also terrorists and very similar actions to those shown in this film all with a more "realistic" tone.

There have even been 2 more DH films involving terrorists and their actions and ....just saying.

It's not "smarm", it's simple fact.

And so, God came forth and proclaimed widescreen is the best.
Sony 16:9

[–] hodie 11 years ago

I liked the fact that they portrayed a black character who was openly prejudiced against white people. What a breath of fresh air - a minority bigot.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TDeMona 11 years ago

If it was made today, all the racial tensions would be gone, everything would be made with CGI, the bombs would not be near wall street or public schools and it would be PG-13 with everything that entails (the swear words, blood and everything else worth while taken out). So it could be made today, we just have to thank our luck it isn't.

[–] sextamental 11 years ago

Agree 100% TDeMona. We just have to be very thankful it was made when it was. A time before the testicles were removed from Hollywood.

SPIRAL OUT!........KEEP GOING!

[–] trekkie313 11 years ago

^The OP and above poster are totally wrong IMO.

[–] TDeMona 11 years ago

"^The OP and above poster are totally wrong IMO"

Want to justify that opinion in any way?

[–] trekkie313 11 years ago

Look at Collateral Damage,numerous other films since 9/11 that have involved attacks on major cities and terrorist activity. This movie would still be made pretty much the same today, but it would be much harder for the villains to pull off the heist.

[–] TwoThousandOneMark 11 years ago

Collateral Damage was altered post-9/11.

It was in the can but pushed back about 4-5mos yes?

I strongly agree that nevermind the terror plots, the villains themselves would never ever stand a chance to infiltrate NYC like that now.
I'm not suggesting America is uber safe, I'm saying some guy hopping around on rooftops with a detonator, threatening via cell phone...etc. Zero chance.

[–] EnglishSummer 11 years ago

I'm not suggesting America is uber safe, I'm saying some guy hopping around on rooftops with a detonator, threatening via cell phone...etc. Zero chance.

Vantage Point (2008). Even Training Day was delayed after the Two Towers fell. For about a month, then entertainment was back to normal again.

Most things just need time...

[–] TMC-4 8 years ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/4sc14h/youve_got_mail_is_one_of_the_most_accurate/d58b03m

To me another strikingly pre-9/11 movie is Die Hard With a Vengeance. Particularly the scene in which John McLean screams at a busy New York City block for everyone to get away, that there's a bomb in the trash can. He hits the ground screaming and nobody flinches, nobody reacts more than a passerby telling him "welcome to New York."
THAT is the most pre 9/11 scene I've ever seen in a movie.
edit not to mention all the iconic shots of the World Trade Center looming over the city.

[–] Filthy_Giuseppe 11 years ago

Now, of course I am exaggerating a bit, but no intelligent person can tell me that, today, arguments resembling these "quotes" wouldn't be in the media and that the movie wouldn't be deemed "controversial" by someone or some group. Oh, and for the record, I have lived 30 min from NYC my whole life and work in Manhattan. 9/11? Yeah, I'm over it...as are most New Yorkers. I want my NYC action movies back.

Watching 'Die Hard with a Vengeance' as an adult really struck a chord with me. I saw how much care the director and writers put into showing the little things about NYC. It's an intimate look at Manhattan and the Bronx.

You get to go to old Yankee Stadium in the north (which is now a treat), then south Harlem, go through the park (literally), and then to Wall Street at the very end. It's like a tour of NYC, and in particular, one for New Yorkers. Who else knows that the FDR Drive doesn't allow trucks? Or what it's like to get stuck in traffic and SO BADLY want to just plow through the park? (heh heh) And that NYC's excellent drinking water (the reason for the amazing bagels and pizza) comes from the Catskills? And to top it all off, Simon calls the #1 DJ, Elvis Duran, from the #1 NY radio station of the 90's, Z100, to create a panic.

So really, aside from the ending a few ridiculous stunt sequences, this is a realistic, down to earth action movie that really is a love letter to NYC. And I suppose, reading all that I just wrote, this is my love letter to the film.

If it was made today, all the racial tensions would be gone, everything would be made with CGI, the bombs would not be near wall street or public schools and it would be PG-13 with everything that entails (the swear words, blood and everything else worth while taken out). So it could be made today, we just have to thank our luck it isn't.

Agree 100% TDeMona. We just have to be very thankful it was made when it was. A time before the testicles were removed from Hollywood.

So true. Such an innocent time back then when action movies were allowed to be action movies.

In Sicily, Woman Are More Dangerous Than Shotguns

[–] Revan646 11 years ago

I totally agree with the OP. I miss the 90s, all the R18 action movies has all but gone :(

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] smoko 11 years ago

@ziatonic And to top it all off, Simon calls the #1 DJ, Elvis Duran, from the #1 NY radio station of the 90's, Z100, to create a panic.
Wait, that was a real DJ? All this time I thought it was just some actor.

[–] peowulf-242-616760 11 years ago

"A good day to Die hard" was made this year, so there's your answer.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ziatonic 11 years ago

@smoko Wait, that was a real DJ? All this time I thought it was just some actor.

Oh yeah. He's been the head DJ for Z100 (100.3 FM) for around 20 years now. Pretty cool right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Duran
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0243690/

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 11 years ago

Yeah. Hollywood is nothing but a bunch of pussies today.

I mean, seriously, they made a DIE HARD sequel that is PG-13?? They made Die Hard kid-friendly?? Die Hard With A Vengeance featured John, our hero pasting brains of a man all over the walls of an elevator. How in the hell do you make THIS FRANCHISE kid-friendly without looking completely retarded??

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] residentevil6901 10 years ago

It makes me think of the Gangster Squad movie that had a scene of people getting shot in a theater so they go back and take it out after the Dark Knight Rises Colorado theater incident happened. What happens in a movie has nothing to do with something that happens in real life no matter how close they resemble each other.