'Welcome to the party, pal' Christopher McQuarrie watches Die Hard (Twitter Transcript)

On Christmas eve Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie sat down and live tweeted as he, very appropriately, watched the original Die Hard (1988). 

The last few years there has been a growing discussion about the question whether Die Hard is or is not a true Christmas movie. Whatever the hell that may be. One thing is for sure, Die Hard is one of, if not the, best action films ever made and, in my opinion a perfect film in general. 

If you have never seen Die Hard this thread probably won't make a whole lot of sense to you and I would strongly suggest that you go and watch this film right now. If you have seen Die Hard there is a lot of interesting stuff going on in this thread of random observations by a great screenwriter /director. Occasionally people would tweet back questions and observations they had themselves. I posted those in italics, followed by McQuarrie's reaction. (This transcript of the tweets has been lightly edited)

Transcript:

22 minutes into the movie before the shooting starts. Few film-makers have the huevos to spend a whole reel on setup. 

Over our one and only lunch, Alan Rickman told me his character was meant to wear tactical gear. It was his idea for the baddies to wear suits, suggesting a potential meeting between between protagonist and villain… 

“And father of five…” The visual storytelling in this film is astonishing.

The number of times the camera shifts or pans into more storytelling (where anyone else would simply cut) is amazing in and of itself. That the script is perfect is gravy.

McClane talking to himself. Utter nonsense. And Utterly essential storytelling. 

If this film has one flaw, it’s that Huey Lewis received no nomination for his role as the front desk terrorist. 

Q: What did the Nakatomi Corporation make?
-the best action movie of all time

Q: McTiernan is the most underrated and IMO greatest action movie director of all time.
-He’s not underrated. He’s one of the Gods in the Pantheon.

Jan DeBont’s lighting is insane, nonsensical, at times absurd and never, ever wrong.

At 43 minutes (2+reels), McLane FINALLY manages to call for outside help. writers make note.

Q: I miss 70s and 80s pacing. What happened writers?

-Fear.

Enter al Powell.

Q: [This guy -see image above] plays the same henchman in 100 different films.
-And there’s nothing wrong with that. He works.

“Evening, officer. What can I do for you?” -You can play hip to be square. Huey.

“FREEZE MOTHERFUCKER” -Can’t do that anymore. PG13

About to open fire on Al…
“Welcome to the party, pal.” Greatest line in cinema history. 

Q:This has always bugged me: HOW DOES JOHN KNOW THAT'S NOT BILL CLAY?
-He doesn’t until Hans tells him. Because John McClane is neither a genius or a presumptuous idiot.

This is not how guns, explosives, radios or terrorists work. It is, however, how movies work.

Minute 59: “Yippee Kay-aye, motherfucker.” (Rated R) Enter Atherton.

1:00:20 McClane is finally talking to the police. The terrorists are JUST waking up to the problem. As is McClane.

Hour 2. Enter Paul Gleeson. Sit down and shut up.

Meanwhile… Argyle.

Taking the time to steal some candy bars. Character humor.

The Car. Send in The Car.

“Hit it. Again.” I hate you now, Hans. Right there.

And a shitload of screen doors. Never not funny. Never.

“I can give him to ya’. Idiot.

If you care to watch the original (non Christmas-themed) Die Hard, check out the original Taking of Pelham 123 -GESUNDHEIT

Ellis’s death is as good as Mary Poppins’ Arrival.

Q: We don’t even see the killing happen, just John’s reaction and the corpse being dragged out as that TV news guest talks about terrorist/hostage bonding.
-Because Die Hard understands storytelling.

“I’ll check the detonators.”

“Want a breath mint?” Laughing like it’s 1988

John is down to two smokes…

Q:Foreshadowing for the bullets or?
-You. Bet.

McLane sees “Clay” Hans sees bare feet. Nothing comes for free.

“You were saying?” Hans rules

Why does Hans have to stress “Shoot the glass” in English and not German? Storytelling, dummy.

Why do the baddies have the detonators? Because they need to. And it’s time.

A moment of silence for Rick Ducommon. “Shut it down. Shut it down, now.”

Ode To Joy. Ludwig was deaf. Suck it. We’ve all done nothing.

McLane’s Darkest Hour. You know he will win. But so what?

Atherton’s INS threat. Say no more.

You’re expected to believe Willis can lose to a ballet dancer. And you do.

Hans is on to john and its AAAAAHN.

“I’m an exceptional thief….”

These helicopters are porn. Nothing more. “I was in junior high, dick head.”

Can we talk for a moment about Kamens’ score? I mean come on.

BLOW THE ROOF.

As dead as McClane should be, he’s not nearly as dead as the baddies in Home Alone should be by now…

It’s all score at this point. Score and Jan Debont.

The reveal of Theo’s ambulance is the single most efficient moment of story telling of all time.

We haven’t talked a lot about score. Score is everything in Die Hard. Everything.

HOLLY

Milk the death… Milk it…

While Holly kisses John just imagine the blood and the smell. Then try not to.

And Al, by killing a ballet dancer, discovers the true meaning of Xmas.

AND ARGYLE. Go wrap gifts, for God’s sake.