Die Hard 2 (1990) DVD Review – UK

They say lightning never strikes twice. They were wrong.

Runtime

2 Hours (Approx.)

BBFC rating

Region

Regions 1/2

Sound

Dolby Digital 5.1

Aspect

2.35:1

Release year

1990

Edition Comparison: Region 1 vs Region 2

Details

John McClane, possibly the unluckiest policeman on Earth, heads to Dulles Airport to collect his wife Holly. Instead of a peaceful reunion, he finds himself in the middle of another terrorist plot - this time involving control of the airport's landing systems. With multiple aircraft circling overhead, low on fuel and unaware of the danger, it once again falls to McClane to save the day.

Sound familiar? It should. This is essentially the first film transplanted from a skyscraper to an airport. Unfortunately, repetition is not the sequel's only problem. The script is far more predictable, and William Sadler's Colonel Stuart never approaches the cool menace of Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber. The comparison is unavoidable - and not flattering.

One particularly irritating element is Hollywood's continued habit of casting American actors and asking them to produce "British" accents. It rarely works, and here it borders on distraction. Please, studios - either cast British actors or don't bother.

Al Powell makes a brief return appearance, though it feels more like a token nod than a meaningful contribution. Thornberg, on the other hand, is given a larger role, swinging wildly between cowardice and heroism depending on what the script demands at that moment. There are also conveniences that strain credibility - not least the remarkable coincidence of Thornberg ending up on the same flight as McClane's estranged wife, even though he has a restraining order against her? The result is a film that feels like a collection of ideas rather than a tightly constructed thriller.

Picture & Sound

The R2 transfer mirrors the slightly washed-out look seen on the R2 edition of Die Hard. While acceptable overall, darker scenes - such as those involving Thornberg and Holly - reveal softness and inconsistency. However, the R2 disc does benefit from anamorphic enhancement.

The R1 THX-certified version appears sharper in places, though surprisingly inconsistent for a THX-labelled disc. As with the first film, this becomes a familiar early-DVD dilemma: sharper non-anamorphic presentation versus softer anamorphic transfer.

Where the disc truly disappoints is in the audio department. Explosions lack punch and depth, and the surround channels are underutilised - a significant flaw in an action film of this scale. The echo effects within the control tower are effective, but beyond that the mix feels restrained. The R2 disc does at least offer the full uncut 18 certificate version, previously reduced for a 15-rated video release.

Overall

This film arguably marked the beginning of a downturn in Bruce Willis' career - a slump that would not be convincingly reversed until his appearance in Pulp Fiction. Quentin Tarantino resurrected both Willis and John Travolta in one fell swoop. Bruce owes him more than a Christmas card.

As a sequel, Die Hard 2 contradicts its own tagline. Lightning rarely strikes twice - and here it certainly doesn't. It's not without entertainment value, but it lacks the tight pacing, villain quality and originality of the first film.

Choosing between the R1 and R2 discs is again difficult. The R2 version offers anamorphic presentation and the uncut classification, while the R1 disc provides sharper moments and - crucially - access to the stylish Die Hard box set at a better overall value. If you're building a complete trilogy collection, the R1 edition edges ahead on cost efficiency.

Otherwise, purchase only if you require the full set - or if you're upgrading from an old video copy and want the uncut version. Just don't expect lightning to strike again.