John McClane may be the most unlucky (and unlikely) character in movie history. Sure, James Bond and Ethan Hunt go on crazy adventures too, but they’re super-spies. McClane is just your run-of-the-mill cop who keeps on finding himself trapped in the middle of terrorist attacks. Point being, the basic premise of the “Die Hard” series stretches credulity, which is saying something for an action movie. So it’s amazing that “Die Hard” has consistently delivered, with only one outright dud, the 2013 franchise-killer “A Good Day To Die Hard.” 

The second-best of the series was the fourth film, 2007’s “Live Free or Die Hard,” released 18 years after the first film and 12 years after “Die Hard with A Vengeance.” The film is about … well, you know what it’s about. McClane shows up in a big city where a terrorist launches an attack, forcing the New York cop to save the country. As the critics’ consensus puts it: “‘Live Free or Die Hard’ may be preposterous, but it’s an efficient, action-packed summer popcorn flick with thrilling stunts and a commanding performance by Bruce Willis.” Put simply, watching this movie will leave you screaming “yippee ki yay…” — you know the rest.