Revealing the Real Competence of Die Hard's Terrorists

The iconic 1988 film Die Hard has long aroused curiosity and debate about the competence of the main antagonists, Hans Gruber and his merry band of "terrorists". A common narrative suggests that the criminals were incapable and their failure was mainly due to encountering an unexpected and unanticipated protagonist—John McClane. However, when we delve into a more detailed analysis, we find that their competency is not as simple as it seems.

Were the 'Terrorists' Actually Innocent?

Firstly, it would be incorrect to assume that the protagonists in Die Hard were merely comedic or incompetent antagonists. Their actions were well-planned and strategically executed. Alan Rickman, who portrayed Hans Gruber, delivers an outstanding performance, displaying all the hallmarks of a skilled criminal mastermind. He is suave, intelligent, and completely in control. Contrary to the common belief, he appears competent and calculated rather than foolish.

Moreover, the criminal group had a detailed plan to pull off the heist. They'd done significant research and training, indicating a high level of competency. Upon putting their plan into action, they demonstrated ruthless efficiency. They successfully carried out every objective they had set out to achieve, and even introduced counter-measures to deal with any unforeseen resistance, such as John McClane. If the heist had gone as planned without McClane, it’s plausible to assume they would succeed.

Assessing Competence in Hypothetical Characters

The assessment of any hypothetical movie character's competence is inherently challenging because it depends on the fabric of the movie’s narrative and the established tropes that govern these narratives. In the case of Die Hard, certain movie rules must be acknowledged.

Firstly, the notion that bearer bonds are untraceable is a common trope in many movies. However, in real life, the idea that they would simply continue to be valid and untraceable is not valid. In reality, the bearer bonds would be canceled, and any potential "profits" would effectively be worthless. Nevertheless, if we were to overlook this and accept the movie's narrative for the sake of assessing character competence, it means the group had executed their plan successfully.

Secondly, the demonstrated incompetence of the FBI is another trope intended to highlight the heroic efforts of John McClane. For instance, Gruber's plan to cripple the building’s security by turning off the power is a plot device intended to create suspense and increase the stakes. In reality, any respectable security system would have redundant power sources, rendering this tactic ineffective. This is a trope that we must acknowledge and overlook to focus on the characters' competence.

The Specifics of the Heist Plan

Gruber’s group’s plan was meticulously crafted to ensure maximum success. They had studied the blueprints, trained extensively, and even had a contingency plan for any resistance. Their ability to turn off the power and disable the vault lock was a significant part of their plot. This move, while seemingly obvious in hindsight, was necessary for the plot to unfold as it did. If the plan did not disabled the vault, the story’s narrative would have been quite different, and it is doubtful that they could have completed their mission as planned.

John McClane’s intervention, while unexpected and unprepared for, served as the main obstacle to the plan. Despite their extensive planning, the 'terrorists' did not anticipate such an unexpected and skilled adversary. This unforeseen element introduced by McClane created a narrative tension that is both thrilling and relevant to the plot development.

In conclusion, the 'terrorists' in Die Hard were not entirely incompetent. They were well-planned, strategic, and capable of executing their heist. However, their competence can only be fully understood within the context of the film's predefined narrative and tropes. Their plan was a complicated and intricate affair, reflecting the intelligence and skill of their leader, Hans Gruber. Nevertheless, McClane's unexpected appearance and skill introduced a layer of unpredictability that shaped the final outcome of the story.