A desperate, improv-heavy cop looking for personal redemption. A seemingly classy terrorist with an accent looking for stacks of cash. 30 hostages within a tower that is being robbed and set to blow up. And it looks like everyone in LA is watching.

Yeah, if you weren’t hooked by the premise, well, you’re better off watching something else. I definitely was though, so I immediately decided to finally witness this so-called Christmas classic (as recently confirmed by the director himself, no arguments needed), and man, the experience of watching this on Christmas Eve, in the dark with my blanket wrapped around me, was something I doubt I’ll ever forget in terms of holiday memories.

This enjoyment isn’t just because of sheer fun in joining this cultural tradition, as Die Hard just works as an action flick even without the context of Christmas (although it definitely adds to it) for numerous reasons.

Firstly, John McClane is not superhuman. Don’t let the more ridiculous sequels later on (looking at you, ‘A Good Day To...”) define him; he’s just some guy who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, who must deal with the burden of the lives he must save. He’s given relatable qualities like a dark sense of humor (providing plenty of wisecracks, one-liners, and self-talk to keep himself sane) and impulsivity that can work against or for him. This not only makes him eminently likable but adds tension in the plot and investment for his safety, as he does take bodily harm rather than shrugging everything off.

Screenwriters Steven de Souza and Jeb Stuart strike that perfect middle zone, not too goofy and exaggerated - not too grimdark and self-important - that just makes the movie an absolute blast to watch. It also has a sincere heart to it, as McClane is fighting not only to save everyone and to foil Hans’ plans but to determine how much he really cherishes the one he loves, while everyone (well, mostly everyone except for obstructive bureaucrats) is pinning their hopes on this one off-duty officer to save day.

(There is one particular character arc here that aged like milk and made me uncomfortable concerning recent events. But again, this is from 1988, and it was a way different time back then. Just a heads up.)

Die Hard is nothing short of blockbuster perfection that just gets better the longer I think about it. Not only is it filled with great action and humor that lands, but it’s also crafted with ingenuity and genuine earnestness in its visuals and story. It also has a delightful sense of tongue-in-cheek self-awareness, while never letting up in its dedication to entertain the audience. In the end, it is prime Hollywood goodness definitely deserves to be in the cultural pantheon of great Christmas movies.

Yippee-ki-yay and a Happy New Year, everybody.