Why Die Hard and Die Hard: With a Vengeance are the best

Those two are my favorite of the series. And McTiernan knowshow to stage an action scene

Agreed, I actually watch this one more than the first. 2 is OK, but the new ones are just awful.

I miss McTiernan, especially the McTiernan behind these classics.

Just look at that reverent shot of Bruce and Sam running with the twin towers in the background. He may have been referencing the 1993 attack but it almost feel like he was looking into the future.

McTiernan did a crap job with this one. The 2nd was a much better movie.

I feel like DH's 1&3 are also the best because they do the best job of making McClane the reluctant hero (i.e. he's the only one to save the day), putting him against a villain who outclasses him and makes him trapped either within a building or a big city. We also spend time getting to see what McClane, the supporting cast and the villains are up to before any of the action starts.

While DH's 2&4 are fun, I don't feel like they have the balance down as well as the odd numbered installments.