This movie would never get made today.
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.