
Most critics come away entertained. Thirteen of the twenty-one reviews are positive, and the praise gathers around two things: the stunt work, with several reviewers noting how much of the vehicular carnage and free-running is done physically rather than in a computer, and Bruce Willis, who most agree is still credible as an older, quieter McClane. Justin Long’s hacker sidekick is repeatedly singled out as a good foil, and Timothy Olyphant’s villain gets a few approving mentions.
The reservations cluster around scale and tone. Several critics feel McClane has been pushed into superhero territory, losing the everyman appeal of the earlier films, and that the sprawling plot, heavier effects and softer rating blunt the edge. Time Out and Slant both detect a reactionary streak beneath the fun. The spread is wide: three reviews are outright negative, with Digital Spy finding it tedious and derivative and Total Film calling it a teen-friendly dilution, and the harshest verdicts come mostly from British outlets.
E
Empire
2 July 2007 · Angie Errigo
90*
The film honours the Die Hard formula with fresh cyber-terrorism elements and delivers fantastic stunts and vehicular mayhem. Willis remains an unflappably indestructible everyman hero whose wisecracking resilience makes the preposterously fun popcorn movie entertaining.
Read the full review →H
The Hollywood Reporter
24 June 2007
90*
The critic finds the film a nonstop action spectacle that succeeds as a summer hit through its impressive practical stunts and Willis-Long chemistry. They single out the stunt work as among the best committed to film.
Read the full review →R
RogerEbert.com
28 June 2007 · Richard Corliss
85*
The critic hails the film as a throwback to great American action movies, praising its inventive car stunts and physical action sequences achieved with practical skill rather than heavy CGI. Willis is celebrated as the last true action hero, with the film delivering muscular, old-fashioned entertainment despite its PG-13 rating.
Read the full review →L
Los Angeles Times
27 June 2007 · Kenneth Turan
80*
The critic calls it a slick and efficient piece of action entertainment that overcomes plausibility issues and length thanks to energetic stunts and a solid premise involving cyber-terror. Willis's performance and the supporting cast, along with Wiseman's pacing, are highlighted positively.
Read the full review →R
Radio Times
★★★★ · Jamie Russell
80
Willis returns to form as McClane and forms an engaging odd-couple partnership with Justin Long's hacker amid explosive, over-the-top set pieces. It knowingly channels 1980s action nostalgia while remaining entertaining and polished.
Read the full review →N
The New York Times
27 June 2007 · Manohla Dargis
75*
The review finds the film a satisfying, nerve-jangling action spectacle with Willis still effective as the battered hero, even if older and less foul-mouthed. It singles out the stunt work, including parkour sequences, and director Wiseman's handling of the mayhem for praise.
Read the full review →The fourth Die Hard is not clever but big, brutal and exciting, smartly updating the franchise to a post-9/11 world with an older, grimmer McClane. Wiseman keeps the pace flag flying through brio-filled set pieces including car crashes, lift-shaft fights and a truck-versus-jet duel.
Read the full review →G
The Guardian
29 June 2007 · Peter Bradshaw
70*
The critic finds the film pure action silliness that is often enjoyable, with tremendous free-running stunts early on and a Zen-like quality to some of the mayhem. Willis is entitled to one more kick-ass outing but it should be the last.
Read the full review →S
Sight and Sound
· Kim Newman
65*
The film is mostly entertaining but feels rote and overlong, with Wiseman directing efficiently yet without flair. It updates the franchise formula with a generational angle but loses the tight focus and energy of earlier entries.
Read the full review →A
The AV Club
27 June 2007 · C+ · Scott Tobias
63
The review sees the film pushing McClane into superhero territory with ludicrous stunts, resulting in a swift but ridiculous thrill ride. It praises the cheerful ridiculousness reminiscent of Luc Besson films but notes the loss of the original everyman appeal.
Read the full review →The film offers nostalgic thrills for fans of the series but feels overblown and less focused than earlier entries due to its sprawling plot and heavy reliance on effects. Wiseman stages the action reasonably well, and Willis remains a solid lead.
Read the full review →S
Slant Magazine
26 June 2007 · Nick Schager
60*
The critic describes the film as an empty-headed but exuberantly rambunctious blockbuster that indulges in over-the-top action with tongue-in-cheek flair, though it veers into conservative and misogynistic territory. They highlight the director's skill in staging elaborate set pieces despite visual shortcomings.
Read the full review →T
Time Out
2 July 2007 · ★★★ · Ben Walters
60
The film exploits cyber-terror fears but falls back on an old-fashioned lone-hero solution and indulges reactionary spite alongside sappy sentimentality. Wiseman stages set-pieces with flair and tension, though the expanded scope dilutes the intensity.
Read the full review →The film is a mushy, teen-friendly dilution of the action formula with a dopey story, so-so script and mostly ordinary action that feels processed and harmless rather than thrilling. Willis's rugged sparkle is the main redeeming quality that makes it watchable.
Read the full review →E
Eye for Film
6 July 2007 · Merlin Harries
85*
The critic praises the visually stunning and frenetic action sequences updated for the modern era, along with Willis's convincing return as McClane and strong supporting turns from Long and Olyphant. It stands out as leaps and bounds above other summer blockbusters.
Read the full review →D
Den of Geek
11 July 2007 · Matt Edwards
80*
The film delivers as a solid, entertaining action sequel that fans will enjoy for its over-the-top set pieces and Bruce Willis's performance. It succeeds by embracing the franchise's formula of escalating absurdity while keeping the core appeal intact.
Read the full review →/
/Film
27 June 2007 · 7.5/10 · Peter Sciretta
75
The critic calls it a great popcorn action flick with Willis delivering strong one-liners and Long proving a perfect sidekick. The non-stop action is ridiculous but fun, though secondary characters feel lifeless.
Read the full review →P
Paste
29 June 2007 · Tim Basham
75*
The critic finds the long-delayed sequel a surprisingly inventive and entertaining entry thanks to Willis's script selection. It earns a spot on the summer must-see list for its strong performances, especially Justin Long and Timothy Olyphant, and big action effects, despite being far-fetched.
Read the full review →H
HeyUGuys
18 April 2012 · ★★★½ · Dave Roper
70
The critic finds the film curious and more formulaic than predecessors, with clever anachronism themes and well-helmed early action but far-fetched later set pieces and a tonal shift toward action comedy that lacks the franchise's earlier edge.
Read the full review →S
The Skinny
10 July 2007 · ★★ · Paul Greenwood
40
It is a pretty decent action film with satisfying traditional fisticuffs and gunplay from Willis, but it is not a great Die Hard movie due to overly silly set pieces, CGI excess, and some tonal issues. The trimmed rating and editing compromises hurt its edge.
Read the full review →The movie is a woeful, uninspired mess that fails to recapture the spark of previous entries, with derivative stunts, weak quips, and a lack of tension or creativity. Only one standout set piece offers any relief in an otherwise tedious experience.
Read the full review →Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate