Summary
Bruce Willis is known for his tough-guy characterswho have a sharp wit and pop off some good lines while saving the day. However, there are many roles Willis has done where he may not be the traditional hero or even the tough guy, showcasing his excellent acting range.
The movie that made Bruce Willis a household name, Die Hard, is also a Christmas staple for many. However, as with other famous actors, Willis has multiple movies under his acting belt that could potentially compete for the title of his best work.
8Striking Distance
Who Is The Killer?
Pittsburgh homicide detective Thomas Hardy, played by Bruce Willis, reports his cousin and partner, Jimmy Detillo, for using excessive force. This act leads to other officers alienating Thomas even if he himself knows it’s the right thing to do. He later receives a call that a serial killer has been seen in the area, and Thomas believes the unknown killer may be a cop. Thomas and his father’s car crashes while they’re chasing the killer, and the protagonist wakes up to find out his father has been shot dead.
Thomas gets demoted when he tells a reporter that the serial killer is a police officer. The police arrest someone they think is the serial killer, but similar killings start again, making many believe the true culprit is still at large. You’ll need to watch to see how Thomas figures out who the serial killer is and the truth of his father’s death.
7Hudson Hawk
Just Want To Enjoy A Cappuccino
Bruce Willis stars in and as Hudson Hawk, a cat burglar who has recently been released from jail and doesn’t want to return to the life of crime. However, he is blackmailed into stealing again if he wants to save the lives of his friends. It’s revealed that a corporation wants Hudson to steal a piece of art that hides more than what meets the eye.
What the secret is and whether Hawk can save the world from the corporation’s evil plans make up the crux of the story. Oh, and whether he’s able to enjoy the cappuccino that he has wanted to drink since he got out of jail is another important question you’ll have to watch the movie for.
6Red
Grandpa Still Has It
Frank Moses is no John McClane, but Red is a notable movie in Bruce Willis’ portfolio that showed him at his best even after reaching an advanced age. The action in the movie suits his age, and it comes to him naturally. The movie is a comic book adaptation and follows the CIA going after Moses, a RED, or Retired Extremely Dangerously ex-agent who has quit the agency for good. Yes, that’s the name of the movie.
Red has comedic moments that are beautifully crafted and offer a small respite from the more serious ongoing story. Mary-Louise Parker is a dynamic character who unwillingly gets pulled into an ongoing clash when an attempt is made on Moses’ life. The way Bruce Willis single-handedly takes down an assassination squad and the twists and turns of the story make it seem like a movie from the legendary actor’s peak.
5Death Becomes Her
Is Immortality Worth The Price?
Every main character in Death Becomes Her is flawed and has shortcomings you can relate to. Bruce Willis plays Dr. Ernest Menville, a famous plastic surgeon who leaves his fiancé for her friend. Years pass, and the story picks up with Ernest becoming an alcoholic and his now wife, Madeline, depressed.
The movie exemplifies this in its portrayal of dark humor and exploration of the themes of dwelling beauty as one ages. When Madeline and Ernest see his ex-fiancé, Helen, she looks significantly younger than her age. This prompts Madeline to look for ways to become younger than her rival.
4The Whole Nine Yards
Love Or Money?
The Whole Nine Yards sees Bruce Willis as Jimmy “The Tulip” Tudeski, a Chicago contract killer with a bounty on his head. His neighbor, Nicholas ‘Oz’ Oseransky, recognizes him and is pressured by his wife to contact mob boss Janni Gogolak and reveal Jimmy’s whereabouts to collect the reward.
Once Oz reaches Chicago, the whole story about why Janni and Jimmy want to kill each other and who Jimmy’s wife is gets revealed. Oz falls for Jimmy’s wife, and the movie goes on a bumpy ride where friends become enemies and enemies become friends. Who is left in the end and who gets the money, well, you’ll need to watch to find out.
3Armageddon
Oil Drillers Or Astronauts?
Bruce Willis stars as an oil driller, Harry Stamper, who NASA recruits to drill and save the planet. Harry and his team of misfits must train so they can go to space and destroy a meteorite before it destroys Earth. While the movie takes many liberties and is far-fetched, the characters are engaging enough to make sure you enjoy it.
Armageddon is a typical popcorn flick that you must enjoy without thinking too deeply about it. Bruce Willis plays his part to perfection, whether it’s as Grace’s father or the owner of an oil drilling company who wants to protect his team along with saving the world. The movie concludes with one of the most emotional scenes in Bruce’s career, which is saying something.
2The Sixth Sense
Can He See The Dead?
The Sixth Sense is one of Bruce Willis' most interesting movies, with the action deviating from his typical tough persona. The movie starts with the protagonist, a child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe, getting shot by a past client of his. The scene shortly cuts to Malcolm treating another patient who reminds him of the one that shot him.
Crowe thinks about giving up when he starts to believe the patient is schizophrenic, but he then finds clues that point to a similarity in Cole’s case to that of his past client, Vincent. The possibility is improbable and can’t be explained by science, but it becomes hard to deny, and Crowe tries to help the boy. The plot twist is something you will love if you see the movie for the first time, though you should definitely go in blind for maximum enjoyment.
1Die Hard
The Original Christmas Movie!
Die Hard has close to nothing in common with traditional Christmas movies, but Detective John McClane is probably the mascot for Hollywood’s Christmas. The movie is set around Christmastime and when a building is taken over by a group of armed terrorists, the hero Bruce Willis must take them on to save the day.
Die Hard is a classic film and one of the most popular Hollywood movies, despite it being a classic at this point. The premise of the story is straightforward, but McClane is complex, and his drive to save everyone despite the odds is impressive. In typical Bruce Willis style, the movie has comedic and memorable lines that fans remember even after so many years since the release of the movie.
