It’s Die Hard in the skydiving world!

Phil and Liam continue to chronicle DIE HARD’s influence on action cinema with a spirited discussion of the 1994 action-thriller DROP ZONE!

After a daring mid-air prison-break results in his brother’s death, US Marshal Pete Nessip (Wesley Snipes) infiltrates the skydiving community in order to track down those responsible. He eventually uncovers the sinister agenda of skydiving master thief Ty Moncrief (Gary Busey), a former DEA Agent who is now attempting steal the identities of uncover narcotics agents in order to sell them to drug traffickers!  

Phil has great personal affection for this picture and recalls his fond memories of seeing it on the big screen as an impressionable kid. The guys discuss its plentiful ‘DIE HARD DNA’ from both a macro and micro standpoint, getting into the nitty gritty of some very specific action beats that bare particular resemblance to the 1988 classic that started it all!

They talk about Wesley Snipes’ evolving journey as a dependable 90s action star, the differences and similarities between the roles he played in the likes of PASSENGER 57, BOILING POINT and RISING SUN, and what all this may have in common with Liam Neeson’s late-career action persona. They also discuss the complicated sexual politics of the film, and praise Yancy Butler’s effervescent performance as the maverick skydiving guru Jess Crossman (a role originally written for a man). There’s plenty of space left to talk about Gary Busey’s scenery-chomping villain, which of course leads to the inevitable LETHAL WEAPON discussion - so you can cross that off that DHOAB bingo card!

The boys also dive into the film’s breathtaking aerial photography and talk about the John Woo-style gunplay, before they pack their chutes and float down to the Dolby Theatre for the ‘Die Hard Oscars’! Finally, the ever-popular ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz is given a fresh twist this week, much to Liam’s continued chagrin!

DROP ZONE trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weee0u2RlOI

At the time of release, DROP ZONE is available on Paramount+ with Apple TV, DirecTV and Pluto TV, and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, and all the usual platforms.

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