We thought this was a feel good movie. NOT
583781
It may have ended up well - but we could not watch it.  His childhood was so abusive and none of us could handle watching his childhood self going through all of that. Watching 2 hours of depression and sadness interspersed with a few precious moments with Marguerritte...We quit half way through.  We thought this was a feel good movie.  NOT.
3093442
I believe most people that grew up watching the original movies will find themselves a little disappointed by this latest addition to the Die Hard franchise. Its not a bad movie, but it didn't feel the same anymore. Some people might say its because of Bruce Willis age, but he did pretty well and I don't feel like that hurt the movie. I would agree with a couple of other reviewers that said the acting was off a bit. All the Die Hard's have a little bit of comedy and one liners from Bruce Willis, but it just didn't work in this one. I was seriously sick of hearing him say he was on vacation. I also don't feel like Bruce sharing equal screen time with his "son" really worked. Bruce Willis and Samuel L Jackson in Die Hard 3 worked. This was just a pale shadow of what we saw there. Whats missing most to me though is the bad guy. The first three movies had memorable characters that you really wanted to see dead, while this movies bad guys were very bland and I didn't really care what happened to them.

A Good Day to Die Hard has some great action sequences. Its also great to see Bruce Willis playing this character again. The movie is enjoyable to rent if you are looking for some fun, but there does seem to be a few holes in the acting, the jokes fall a bit flat, the story involving his son really leaves something to be desired, and the bad guys just really make you feel indifferent when you should want to see Bruce take them out by the end of the movie.
1471893
We watch ,movies for entertainment. This may have been a good movie, but we were not in mood for something sober.
2055470
Sometimes you just need to watch a,feel good movie and this is one.
2759119
Not what we expected, but good for the type of movie it is
3360878
First of all, as many other reviewers rightly point out, this is NOT a movie for children. It takes a wonderful, lighthearted, uplifting book and turns it into something that's downright depressing. From the first scene, I was weirded out and turned off. I'm all for showing your own unique vision, but if you have to twist a book so much... Just write your own book and make it into a movie. Otherwise, what's the point? It's almost like they used the popular title hoping to draw more people into the theater. Come on now, this movie is NOTHING like the book.

The book Max is mischievous and silly, which is something all kids and kids-at-heart can relate to and cheer on. But the movie Max is neither of those things. He's obnoxious and mean-spirited, I even daresay borderline sociopath. I don't have a problem with the kid who played him, nor do I think he's a bad actor. It's the way he was directed that grates on my nerves. Max disrespects his parents, he physically assaults his mom, he lies, he runs away from home for no valid reason, he throws rocks at animals... you get the point. But the worst part is that he never learns a lesson. He never says sorry. He never realizes that his actions affect the people around him. And, in the end of the movie, instead of a week-long timeout, he gets a cake! Hooray! See, kids, it's okay to be that way! Let your negative emotions out!

Um, no, it's not okay. Having negative emotions and being mad at adults and the world is a normal part of growing up, but being an obnoxious, malicious brat ISN'T. Letting out your negative emotions is not the same as taking those emotions out on other people. There's a whole lot of anger and bile in this movie, but not an iota of love or compassion. I hated it with a passion, and so did my kids, aged 10 and 5. To tell the truth, I would be worried if they didn't... Oh, and that dumb "indie rock" soundtrack stinks on ice.
654369
I wasn't thrilled with the movie, my husband liked it ok, but neither of us would watch it again
1133833
I borrowed my sister in laws DVD of this movie cause everyone told me how romantic it was. What they neglectecd to inform me was that it was an emotional roller coaster through out the movie in which I wanted to kick my tv, plus I didn't know I'd need to watch it with a whole box of tissues. I was either mad or cried throughout the entire movie! But I figured it was ok as long as it had a happy ending. I'm not gonna say too much there for those of you who hasn't see it yet, but what the heck was that ending about? That was soooo sad I was blubbering like a baby. Needless to say, after the movie I was so upset I actually threw the remote  control. I have now boycotted the movie from my house. A little drastic you say? Not to somebody who used an entire box of kleenex throughout the movie. In closing, hated the movie! Watch at your own risk. (and with tissues)
1385738
My wife and I watched this because it had four stars and lots of reviews, so we assumed it must be good. While watching it though, we both thought it was overly awkward and cheesy, probably better suited for pre-teen girls. We were both pretty miserable throughout and hoped it would end soon. The last five minutes was pretty good at redeeming the overall movie though.
1216980
Not what I would call the-feel-good movie of the decade....but a editing masterpiece regardless!
3036940
It just wasn't funny. It was mostly snide. We made it about 2/3 through before we gave up. Funny people, but not funny movie.
2929927
I was waiting for this movie for a very long time. I thought that because it had some great actors in it, that it would be a great movie itself. I was wrong. What was a promising movie turned into nothing more than an empty vessel for communicating a cynicism about politics. This is nothing new, nor was it done in a new way. So what one is left with in watching this movie is just a feeling of watching something old and tired. Its a shame because it could have been a contender.
276381
I just watched It's A Wonderful Life again the other night and it was comforting to find that time and life can mold one's opinion. I've always liked this movie but it was generally enjoyed in the sentimental run-up to Christmas and tossed in with the rest of the holiday fare. Therefore, it was always judged as a simple feel-good holiday movie and nothing more. After last night's viewing, I found myself with a lot more questions than answers and a lot more criticism than optimism.

For starters, given today's political landscape, I find such a movie a bit confusing. Why isn't Potter hailed as a job creator and Bailey Loan a victim of the invisible hand of the free market? Isn't George's method of running his bank closer to socialism than pure capitalism? Most troubling, what is the message? Is it that staying in a stifling dead-end small town and a soul-crushing job are offset by the presence of friends and family? Is it saying that one has to choose between the two?

It isn't hard to empathize with George's simmering rage because he is beaten down so much by the misery of Bedford Falls that he ends up a whipped dog who settles on suicide rather than facing another day of his life. What brings him back is an angel who reminds him that two people would've had dramatically different life outcomes if he hadn't been born. Both key events occurred when he was young, so surely he could've left town and let Bedford Falls take care of itself while he pursued his dreams. Why is that the only choice - non-existence or never leaving Bedford Falls? Could he not have been the one to save the soldiers?  Could he not have returned after his travels to rescue Mary from the library and raise his brood? It's all so frustratingly fatalistic.

In the end, I think this movie is mismatched as a Christmas movie. The only part that takes place around the holiday is the final scenes and the larger point isn't contingent upon the holidays. IAWL is a sweet but ultimately muddled message of a movie and it is a far cry from the other Christmas Capra, the powerful and life-affirming Meet John Doe.  Merry Christmas, Potterville. 3.5 stars.
4401438
A saccharine sweet, not very believable movie that just hits the spot when you're in the mood for one.
1148502
Yes, Will Smith is a wonderful actor (though this isn't his best performance ever).  Yes, it's a true rags to riches story which is heartwarming. Yes, for the first 1/2 of the movie everything that can go wrong, does go wrong (with a few of those unbelievable "magical moments of turning a story based on truth into a movie" type coincidences.)

However, there's no suspense whatsoever - and that's about the time you realize a nap is a better option.  We know he'll make it in the end.  We know the lesson is resiliency and persistency in the face of all odds.  (We also know his real son isn't much of an actor).  In any case, after realizing that there were going to be endless moments of showing them sinking lower and lower while playing long, draggy music my boyfriend and I fell asleep for the second half. When we woke up - we played the second half (but just fast-forward until there was some action).  There were 2 minutes at the very end that it gets resolved (one of those spent with big hugs, and more long draggy muusic) and then a blurb about what happened in the real person's life.  (Quite frankly - that would have made a better second half for the movie).
3546368
This movie focuses on dysfunctional relationships.  It features some powerful and convincing acting, but if you're looking for an uplifting movie with a happy, satisfying ending this is NOT it.
2192513
Its just a feel good midwestern movie. No depth to it, but it is still a good movie if you want to kill an hour and a half.