Next up in the Die Hard series is the creatively named Die Hard 2. Just as creative is the plot, which recycles themes from the first movie: stop terrorists, save your wife, and take sole responsibility for many a hostage's life because no one else seems to want to help. Now, that may all sound like a bad thing, but really, with only a few little "what the!?" moments, I liked this movie.

The beginning has the first of those moments, unfortunately, when we see William Sadler doing his morning martial artsy workout in the nude. All I could think is, "Why?" and "Who is that guy?" And then I realized that he was a small character on Roseanne named Dwight, who had a crush on her sister Jackie. From then on, he wasn't too intimidating.

Okay, enough jabbing at the movie. Here's what I liked:

I liked the airport setting, and that McCain's insatiable curiosity is what leads him into trouble this time, instead of just trying to save his wife. He sees two guys who looks suspicious, and the rest follows. I liked that he was still alone for most of the movie. I liked the hostage idea: planes circling around an airport who can't communicate with the tower and are quickly running out of gas. The time limit makes it more intense, and the use of planes adds more opportunity for cool scenes like fighting on the edge of a wing, single-handedly trying to take the place of the lights on a landing strip, and the great way he finally gets the bad guys. I liked the repeated catchphrase - it was completely unexpected and made me laugh. I liked Bruce Willis' minor sidekicks. I even liked Dennis Franz. I liked the humor of McCain's wife on the plane, interacting with the newscaster that she punched in the first movie.

I thought the movie had enough going on that the additional plot of good guys turning out to be bad guys felt completely unnecessary.

Anyway, I've seen a lot of criticisms online of this sequel, but I'd have to say that I think it stands on its own. It doesn't wink at the audience, it has a detailed enough plot (even though it's similar to the first), and it has plenty of good action and humor. It has its flaws, like most action movies, but, like most action movies, they are forgivable because the audience is entertained. Fun stuff.

Fred Phelps to picket Jerry Falwell's funeral. Apparently he was too tolerant of gays.

Just in case Phelps hasn't already alienated every last conservative Christian in the nation, this ought to do it. He must be the loneliest man in America.