Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?

hay4154d ago

Then it's the only Christmas movie in history that was released in July.

jony_dols4154d ago

One of the most iconic Christmas songs (in the UK at least) is Jona Lewie's 'Stop the Cavalry' & that was originally released in the Summer, & was later adapted as a Christmas song. So why not, consider Die Hard a Xmas film!

hay4152d ago

Touche.

DERKADER4155d ago

The movie begins and ends with Christmas songs. It's one of the best Christmas movies.

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Soldierone4155d ago

You can't say it isn't anymore than you can say it is. If you think its a Christmas movie, then it is. When even TV stations are touting it as one, it's hard to say otherwise.

The only argument you can really put against it is "well it isn't focused on Christmas themes" and to be honest a lot of romantic comedies etc....considered Christmas movies don't either.

calis4155d ago

One of the best ones out there.

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Camza4155d ago

Yes, I only ever watch it at Christmas.

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dennett3164155d ago

It's an action movie that just so happens to take place at Christmas. You could argue that John McClane and his wife going through what they did made them appreciate what's really important - family. Their marriage was clearly strained at the start of the film, and by the end they're in each others arms.
If that's not a heart-warming family message for Xmas, I don't know what is.

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thorstein4155d ago

Quotes from Die Hard on IMDB
John McClane: You throw quite a party. I didn't realize they celebrated Christmas in Japan.

Theo: All right, listen up guys. 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except... the four assholes coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation.

John McClane: Merry Christmas, Argyle.
Argyle: Merry Christmas.
Richard Thornburg: [to the camera] Did ya get that?
Argyle: [Argyle shuts the limo door] If this is their idea of Christmas, I *gotta* be here for New Year's.

Theo: [Hans, Theo, and Kristoff stare in awe as the vault opens] Merry Christmas.

John McClane: I'm a cop from New York.
Hans Gruber: New York?
John McClane: Yeah. I got invited to the Christmas party by mistake. Who knew.
[laughs]
John McClane: Better being caught with your pants down, huh? I'm John McClane, and you are?

Verdict: It is an Xmas movie.

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QuodEratDemonstrandm4154d ago

More Quotes from Die Hard
Joseph Takagi: You want money? What kind of terrorists are you?
Hans Gruber: Who said we were terrorists?

John McClane: Nine million terrorists in the world and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister.

Supervisor: [as McClane tries to call up police] Attention, whoever you are, this channel is reserved for emergency calls only.
John McClane: No #$%^ing #@%&, lady. Does it sound like I'm ordering a pizza?

Holly Gennero McClane: After all your posturing, all your little speeches, you're nothing but a common thief.
Hans Gruber: I am an exceptional thief, Mrs. McClane. And since I'm moving up to kidnapping, you should be more polite.

John McClane: Why'd you have to nuke the whole building, Hans?
Hans Gruber: Well, when you steal $600, you can just disappear. When you steal 600 million, they will find you, unless they think you're already dead.

Tony: You won't hurt me.
John McClane: Oh, yeah? Why not?
Tony: Because you're a policeman. There are rules for policemen.
John McClane: Yeah. That's what my captain keeps telling me.

Hans Gruber: Due to the Nakatomi Corporation's legacy of greed around the globe, they are about to be taught a lesson in the real use of power. You will be witnesses.

Verdict: Action Movie, with Christmas as a backdrop.

barb_wire4155d ago

Office Party on Christmas Eve - Check

Christmas songs on soundtrack - Check

Hero and villain alike say Christmasy sayings - Check

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie - oh, hell yes (so, is Gremlins!)

Yippie Kay Yay..

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QuodEratDemonstrandm4154d ago

July 15 release date - check.

Guns, explosions, stunts and fistfights - check.

Hero and villain - Check

Is Die Hard a Summer Action movie? Why yes, yes it is.

Christmas is just a backdrop for the action, so of course there will be references to it.

barb_wire4154d ago

Ok, so going by your logic then..

Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 original) is a summer family movie then, since it was released May 2 1947?

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QuodEratDemonstrandm4154d ago

I haven't actually seen that movie. If I understand it right, though, the central theme of the movie has something to do with Christmas, and *that* is what makes a Christmas movie. Christmas in LA is just the backdrop for Die Hard, so, as far as I can tell, it's not actually a Christmas movie; not like Prancer or A Christmas Story or Christmas with the Kranks or Elf.

For me to see a movie as a Christmas movie, it has to have a central theme that's something to do with Christmas: Santa Claus, giving, the Nativity, that sort of thing. Die Hard is an action movie set during the Christmas season.

And now I'm out of bubbles. I'm okay with a PM if necessary.

thorstein4154d ago (Edited 4154d ago )

Miracle on 34th Street is a classic Christmas Movie as is It's A Wonderful Life. A Christmas Story, Elf, etc. etc. etc.

You could argue that National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation isn't a Christmas movie because it is about a guy who tries to do right by his family and get a bonus from his boss... with a christmas backdrop.... /sarcasmic

Bathyj4155d ago

No.

Diehard is THE Christmas movie.

Along with Christmas Vacation.

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XboxInnovation4155d ago (Edited 4155d ago )

I'm watching Christmas Vacation right now, Cousin Eddie is a beast, drinking beer in winter weather with a robe on.

aviator1894154d ago

Yup, imo.

grifter0244154d ago

I always wondered if Nightmare before Christmas was a Halloween movie or Christmas movie.

jony_dols4154d ago

A little bit of column A, a little bit of column B

thorstein4154d ago

The answer is a resounding YES.

The Halloween song makes it Halloween, but What's This makes it Christmas!

andron4154d ago

Die Hard Christmas, yeah...

titobudd4154d ago

I have long considered Die Hard to be my favorite Christmas movie.

aDDicteD4154d ago

essentially yes, the first 2 were obviously christmas oriented fashioned in heavy hitting action, but the 3rd and 4th were more of a action summer movie.