die hard

'Die Hard' — proof that Bruce Willis once had hair"Die Hard" was released in U.S. theaters 20 years ago today, simultaneously reinventing the action genre and launching Bruce Willis' film career.

Yippee-ki-yay, indeed.

The basic formula of "Die Hard" became the template for countless inferior copycats, and a handful of cool knockoffs. "Speed," starring Keanu Reeves, was billed as "Die Hard" on a bus and it rocked. "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," billed as "Die Hard" in a chocolate factory, was not so good. Kidding.

Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard'“Die Hard” (1988)

MPAA Rating: R
Directed by: John McTiernen
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson and Robert Davi

The Gist: John McClane is easy to like — but hard to kill.

In the U.S. we call it "Live Free or Die Hard."