movie history

'Die Hard' — proof that Bruce Willis once had hair"Die Hard" was released in U.S. theaters 20 years ago today, simultaneously reinventing the action genre and launching Bruce Willis' film career.

Yippee-ki-yay, indeed.

The basic formula of "Die Hard" became the template for countless inferior copycats, and a handful of cool knockoffs. "Speed," starring Keanu Reeves, was billed as "Die Hard" on a bus and it rocked. "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," billed as "Die Hard" in a chocolate factory, was not so good. Kidding.