Die Hard (film series) memorable." James Berardinelli wrote that the film "represents the class of modern action pictures and the standard by which they must be judged." Critic Desson Howe wrote that "Willis has found the perfect vehicle to careen wildly onto the crowded L.A. freeway of "Lethal Weapons" and "Beverly Hills Cops"." Willis was also called "perfect as the wisecracking John McClane" and "an excellent casting choice as a sardonic action hero." Alan Rickman's portrayal of villain Hans Gruber was described as "marvelous" and "a career-making performance." Gruber also ranked 46 on the villain side of AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains. In
Die Hard 2 must stop terrorists who take an airport hostage while his wife's plane circles overhead, and has 58 minutes to do so before the plane crashes. Roderick Thorp, who wrote the novel "Nothing Lasts Forever", upon which "Die Hard" was based, receives credit for creating "certain original characters", although his name is misspelled onscreen as "Roderick Thorpe". As with the first film, the action in "Die Hard 2" takes place on Christmas Eve. McClane is waiting for his wife to land at Washington Dulles International Airport when terrorists take over the air traffic control system. He must stop the terrorists before