Theo's affect is surely is the inspiration for Don Cheadle's Basher Tarr in Ocean's Eleven (2001), right? Some really juicy 1980s cinematography here — in fact, LA in the 1980s is surely the best combination of "city" and "decade" to appear on-screen, and the few bravado examples of lens breathing were superb.
McClane’s unassuming physique and barefoot state leave him much to overcome, as does the femininity that this state implies. [Toes] or feet are often a metonym for femininity (rarely are there women with foot fetishes in film); nonetheless, minutes later, McClane is barefoot in Holly’s office curling his toes. Clenching them into fists acknowledges that McClane resists stereotypical, absolutist tough-guy ideals—that his feminine side is indulged in this private [act]—and also twists that femininity into something symbolically male: fists.
— Brian Eggert (Deep Focus Review)
Synopsis: NYPD cop John McClane's plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.