Yesterday, Bruce Willis donated some of his Die Hard memorabilia to the Smithsonian, which will display them starting July 12 in the National Air and Space Museum’s "Treasures of American History" exhibition. The items included an iconic, once-white wifebeater (pictured), a poster, and a publicity still from the first Die Hard film — recently proclaimed the greatest action movie of all time by EW — and a badge and original script from Live Free or Die Hard, which opened yesterday (to an estimated $9 million). This means John McClane’s tank top is now as important to America as Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Rocky’s boxing gloves. I’m kinda fine with that. You? (If not, what other yet-unenshrined movie artifact would you stand in line to see?)
Also, would you give Live Free of Die Hard a thumbs up or thumbs down? I went to a packed 7 p.m. screening last night and left happy. Try to keep your comments spoiler-free, but do tell if you think that fighter-jet sequence was necessary. (Me, not so much.)
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I thin McClane has become something of an American icon. He’s bold, patriotic, honest, and a great role model for the army. Would you agree with this assessment? http://news.myspace.com/entertainment/lindsaylohan/item/6853827
When I first saw the trailer for “Live Free or Die Hard” my only (minor) complaints were that he was totally bald (making him look vaguely like Michael Chiklis) and that he wasn’t wearing the tanktop. Now I find out it was on its way to the Smithsonian…so I’ll forgive that oversight.
As for what I would put in the Smithsonian? I’ll go with Tony Soprano’s robe…or his onion rings.
Total thumbs up for Live Free or Die Hard, but I agree, I was with the movie until the fighter-jet scene. Totally ludicrous!
I would EAT that wifebeater.
Well, since Seinfeld’s puffy shirt made it, I think I’d campaign for Arrested Development’s Franklin. If you spring for the headphones, they’ll play “It Ain’t Easy Being White” when you walk by the exhibition.
RE: I would EAT that wifebeater.
You would wash it first though, right?
I don’t think Live Free of Die Hard should be considered part of the Die Hard franchise. If it didn’t throw the name John McClane around every five minutes, it would be hardly recognizable as such since it is nothing more than some run of the mill action movie.
And like most run of the mill action movies, it was too long and felt forced but it had some really outstanding action scenes. (except the fighter-jet sequence, which was straight up ridiculous.)
It is a perfect TNT-on-a-Saturday-afternoon movie but it wasn’t worth 10 bucks and (lacking appropriate charm, hair, villians and four letter words) wasn’t worthy of the name Die Hard.
furry tom- no way would I wash it first.
Well than I hope you’d at least pick a nice bottle of wine to enjoy it with.
I absolutely agree that Live Free or Die Hard was fun, but the fighter jet sequence was beyond ridiculous, right into cartoon-land. The movie totally lost me at that point. It was fun to see John McClane kicking ass again, though, and very impressive to see a 52-year-old as a viable action hero.
I’m not sure what would go with a wifebeater. My instincts say white, but I’d probably go with red if it were soaked in a terrorist’s blood.
Hmmm…I don’t know if I’d even go with a wine. Maybe whiskey? Jack Daniels? Or perhaps a can of Bud.
If it were just any old wifebeater I’d say sure, but it’s a movie star wifebeater. You’ve got to have something to commemorate the occasion. Though if you’ve got your heart set on whisky, you might want to go with a nice single malt scotch, like Glenfiddich. I ate Steven Segal’s gym socks with a Glenfiddich chaser. Superb!
I want Hugh Jackman’s wifebeater from X-Men. A nice Australian Shiraz would go nicely with that one. (get it? Australian? Hugh Jackman?) Yummy!
Ahhh, so I guess we’d be getting a Beerenauslese with Schwarzenegger’s Predator wifebeater.
More Die Hard related articles, EW? Next thing you’ll be telling me is that Die Hard is the number one action film of all time…
Or how about a nice frosty mug of St. Feuillien beer with some Jean-Claude Van Damme sleeveless apparel?
It was a lot of fun until that fighter jet scene. That was too over the top.
I know this would never happen, but wouldn’t it be so cool to have ROSEBUD from Citizen Kane in that museum? Just a thought…
I vote for Otto the blow-up automatic pilot from Airplane!
Sydney Bristow’s red wig from the Alias pilot, Rowdy the dog from Scrubs, and the Angel puppet from Season 5.
McClane’s wifebeater is +. How about a disc from “Tron?” Or a prop from “T2″ – the hand, or the chaingun?
Excellent popcorn action movie…up until the fighter jet sequence but regains it’s traction at the very end. I left the theater happy and found it worth every penny.
When it comes to wifebeaters… how about Gina Gershon’s from Bound?
Loved this latest installment. Yes, the action fighter sequence was pretty over the top, I mean that was the Greatest. Pilot. Ever! But there was plenty o’stuff over the top. Nonetheless I love it. Could be because I heart Bruce so much.
Hugh Jackman in his Wolverine wifebeater is head and shoulders above McClane. Plus he has those cool blade thinggies.
I didn’t think the surfing on the wing-fighter jet sequence was that over the top. Cut him some slack! He had to top 3 other movies of insane action. My favorite stunt however was the very last that didn’t even involve any CGI–the moment he says Yippee kayay motha f*cka and does the craziest thing I’ve ever seen someone do to them self (I hope that was vague enough for you).
As for what should be added to that exhibition: the sword and cheerleading uniform in “Heroes,” photos of Michael’s tattoos in “Prison Break,” Wilson the volleyball in Castaway, any color kryptonite from any Superman incarnation, the car in Batman Begins, and Mikey’s inhaler from the Goonies.
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