Film Reviews: Die Hard

 We were taught about the three and five act structures in films and to gain a better understanding of these theories we were told to watch Die Hard. I've seen the three act structure before but wasn't aware there was a five act structure as well, I don't really see a difference in the two though.

The theories basically simplify films into either threes or fives; showing that all films either start with an introduction, have something that sets off a need for confrontation, then slowly dies down as the crisis finishes and the characters are met with a resolution. 

In Die Hard the way this theory takes place is:

Introduction: Having John (the main character), who is a police officer and wants to visit his family on Christmas despite having a strange disconnected relationship with his wife, Hollie. However, given that it is Christmas time in the film the office that Hollie works in had all lowered their guards because of festivities and terrorists use this opportunity as a prime opportunity to attack and attempt to steal money from a closed vault in the building.

Confrontation: John then begins trying to take down the terrorists and stealthily traverses the building, killing terrorists and stealing the detonator for their bomb. Inevitably leading to Johns success in protecting the building and everyone inside, whilst also defeating the terrorist threat.

Resolution: After all the drama and averting the crisis from the office building, saving Hollie and leaving no loose ends in the narrative.

Five Act Structure: