The Mainframe Computer

The Mainframe Computer

The Mainframe Computer

In 1988, Bruce Willis redefined the traditional cinematic hero during the explosive action thriller "Die Hard." Willis played John McClane, a police officer and regular guy who kept questioning why he was waging a one-man war on the terrorists holding his wife and her co-workers hostage in an office building. McClane, of course, is tough-as-nails, but it always seemed like he rather be at home having a beer than saving the free world.

Willis kept the integrity of this popular character intact for "Die Hard 2: Die Harder," another adventure in which McClane found himself in the middle of yet another terrorist plot, this one involving a scheme to take over the air traffic control system. The film even poked fun at itself when Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), McClane's long-suffering wife, asked why these things kept happening to their family.

Though the third film in the series, "Die Hard: With a Vengeance," contained a bitter and burned out John McClane, Willis embraces the regular guy aspects of the character once again in "Live Free or Die Hard," a highly satisfying popcorn movie.