The third film in the Die Hard franchise picks up with NYPD detective John McClane, portrayed by Bruce Willis, who has become somewhat of a worn-out cop. This time, he finds himself engaged in a deadly game of puzzles and violence orchestrated by a mysterious villain named Simon, played by Jeremy Irons.
Joining McClane in this frantic race across the city is Zeus, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who owns an appliance store in Harlem. Their journey involves dodging near-death experiences through bombings, high-speed chases, and shootouts, all orchestrated by Simon’s elaborate scheme.
McClane’s unconventional tactics lead to a thrilling escape from danger (Photo: Die Hard with a Vengeance/20th Century Fox in conjunction with Cinergi Pictures Entertainment)How Simon Entices McClane into His Game
The film opens with a bomb detonating in downtown Manhattan, creating chaos. Following this, we see an NYPD building overwhelmed with ringing phones. A caller named Simon claims responsibility for the bombing and insists that Detective John McClane must come to work immediately because he wants to play a game with him. Simon implies that by participating in this game, McClane may save lives.
The first appearance of Bruce Willis as the relentless cop shows him looking hungover from a night of drinking. His task involves standing in Harlem with a sign that, for filming purposes, reads “I Hate Everyone.”
However, the theatrical version contains some offensive content in the sign. The scene introduces Zeus, who spots McClane across the street and warns him that the situation is dangerous. A group of aggressive local gang members confronts them, prompting the two men to escape in a taxi back to police headquarters.
The Motivation Behind Simon’s Game
Midway through the film, it becomes clear that Simon is actually the brother of Hans Gruber, the antagonist from the first Die Hard film. Fans of the franchise will recognize this connection and understand that Simon seeks revenge against McClane for what happened to his brother. The plot thickens after a subway explosion that the duo tries to prevent, leading them on a chaotic chase around New York City to stop further bombings.
While Simon aims to avenge his brother’s death, his master plan is much grander. He intends to disrupt and rob the American economy. To accomplish this, Simon sets off bombs and threatens further attacks throughout the city, using the subway explosion on Wall Street as a distraction.
This diversion draws police attention to one event while Simon and his crew disguise themselves as truck drivers and armed guards to execute the heist at the federal reserve without anyone noticing.
To keep law enforcement occupied, Simon calls into a local radio station and claims that a bomb has been planted in a school somewhere in New York City. This sets off a chain reaction, causing police and the FBI to scramble all over the city in search of the nonexistent bomb.
How McClane Discovers Simon’s True Intentions
After Zeus and McClane successfully disable a bomb in a park, they observe some children stealing from a corner store on their bikes. McClane stops one of them to inquire about their actions. The kid, speaking with a thick New York accent, responds, “Look around; all the cops are busy. It’s Christmas; you can steal City Hall.”
This revelation makes McClane realize that something larger is happening. The mention of local government triggers his thoughts about the subway explosion. He recalls that his previous harrowing experiences occurred during the holidays.
Taking the kids’ bikes, McClane and Zeus ride back to Wall Street, where everything falls into place. McClane articulates his realization, “What does Wall Street lack? Schools, and what do they have an abundance of?” This insight propels the plot forward.
The Climax of Die Hard with a Vengeance
A thrilling car chase culminates in Zeus and McClane arriving at a boat supposedly filled with gold. The ensuing action includes shootouts and fistfights, leading to the discovery that there was never a bomb in the school; it was merely a diversion. As Simon tells McClane, “I’m a soldier, not a monster.”
Simon handcuffs the heroes to a boat set to explode, and as he prepares to leave, McClane asks for some aspirin due to a persistent headache. He has humorously referenced his hangover throughout the film. Simon tosses the aspirin bottle to him, advising him to keep it.
The pair manage to escape from their handcuffs using a piece of shrapnel despite a series of minor explosions. With mere seconds to spare, they leap off the boat into the water below and are rescued by port authorities, only to realize that Simon has outsmarted them.
By making it appear that the gold was on that ship, Simon has effectively made off with 140 billion dollars worth of gold, having transported it over the border to Canada.
The Alternate Ending of Die Hard with a Vengeance
Here is where opinions diverge. Until now, this third film has delivered a thrilling action experience filled with unexpected twists. However, there exists an alternate version of the film’s conclusion.
Some viewers appreciate how the film concludes with McClane seemingly on the losing side for a moment, as the theatrical ending feels rushed regarding how the protagonists catch up to Simon.
Zeus joins McClane in a frantic race to thwart Simon’s elaborate scheme (Photo: Die Hard with a Vengeance/20th Century Fox in conjunction with Cinergi Pictures Entertainment)While making a phone call, McClane notices the bottle of aspirin and discovers that it reads Nord Des Lingees inside the cap, a large chain of Canadian truck stops. This clue leads him to set up a police raid at a warehouse where Simon is hiding north of the border.
In the ensuing confrontation, McClane interrupts Simon during an intimate moment with his lover. He boards a helicopter to confront McClane, who finds himself isolated on the road after Simon shoots down his helicopter. As Simon attacks from above, McClane uses his wits to shoot at wires over the helicopter, causing them to tangle in the propeller, resulting in Simon’s fiery demise.
In the alternate ending, McClane finally tracks Simon down long after the events in Hungary. It becomes apparent that the “With a Vengeance” aspect of the title refers to McClane himself, who has lost his job and police pension. With nothing left to lose, he engages in a game of “McClane Says” against Simon, who, unsurprisingly, ends up with a rocket piercing through his torso.
Some viewers dislike this alternate ending, which is available on the DVD release. However, it serves as a precursor to the John McClane character that later sequels depict more as a comic-book hero.
