Die Hard (1988)

Perfect movie, one flaw: every authority figure outside Nakatomi Plaza is a clown. The deputy chief and the FBI guys exist only to make bad calls, and that gets old fast. Inside the building, though, it’s flawless. Bruce Willis plays John McClane as a regular guy having the worst Christmas Eve in history, barefoot, banged up and talking to himself because nobody else will listen. Alan Rickman shows up as Hans Gruber in a nice suit with perfect manners and basically sets the template for every smooth movie villain after him. Reginald VelJohnson’s Al Powell, on the radio with McClane all night, is the friendship that holds the whole thing up. John McTiernan made it for a reported $28 million and every dollar is on the screen. A 9.3 because it’s the blueprint, and the blueprint still works better than most of the copies. $733 says you take your shoes off on your next flight and make fists with your toes.

What works: Bruce Willis as a regular guy in over his head, Alan Rickman’s classy villain, and one building used for every possible kind of tension.

What doesn’t: The deputy chief, the FBI agents and the pushy reporter are one-note clowns who exist only to make bad decisions.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants the action movie every other action movie copies, especially in December.