A Good Day to Die Hard - C

Rated R, 97 minutes

Though fast-paced, this is not "A Good Day to Die Hard"

Six weeks into 2013, and we've already Schwarzenegger, Stallone and now Bruce Willis. Schwarzenegger and Stallone both bombed in their outings and Willis brings many familiar explosions, guns and a charming, smart-alecky presence in the efficient but unoriginal "A Good Day to Die Hard," the fifth film in the franchise series and the first since 2007's "Live Free or Die Hard." Though Willis is more accessible and nimble than his counterparts, you've seen this before, and this entry feels recycled and thin compared to the other "Die Hard" movies. John McClane (Willis) travels to Russia to help his son, Jack (Australian newcomer Jai Courtney), who has gotten into trouble with the local authorities—but John soon finds that his son's arrest is just one small part of a wider terrorist plot that threatens the stability of the free world. This is "Die Hard" on another continent, and as directed by "Max Payne's" John Moore, it has less story and character (not to mention a very bland villain and a muddled plot) and much more video game sensibility; in other words there's plenty of big guns and explosions, which should entertain the masses who get a kick of that sort of thing. I've enjoyed the "Die Hard" films more than I probably should, particularly the first one (which turns 25 this year) and its mix of action, violence and comedy, even the most previous 2007 installment had some nice comedic charm to it, but this entry takes itself too seriously, with Willis only able to muster lines like "I'm on vacation!" repeatedly for levity (his trademark McClane phrase "yippee-kai-yay" is only uttered once). With a certain built-in franchise appeal, the mildly entertaining "A Good Day to Die Hard" should be at least a modest hit for Willis, who will fare much better than Arnold or Sly have so far in 2013. But if you've seen the other "Die Hard" films you've seen this one too, and this entry is by far the weakest and most forgettable in this series.

Wes's Grade: C