Mom's Minute

 

 

Introduction to Bruce Willis Movies -- Has Bruce Willis’ Action Movie Star Brillance Died Hard?

After watching a few of Bruce Willis' recent films, I decided to research exactly what is happening to his once stellar movie career.  I’ve discovered that more often than not, he seems to be “phoning in” his acting performances while at the same time, using his name to still demand and dare I say get the big bucks. 

 Has this world-wide, well-renowned actor known for action films decided to throw in the towel? Is Bruce Willis continuing to get paid for appearing in movies that are way below his high standard as an action film actor? Check out my assessment of Bruce Willis' acting career to find out.

The Good Old Days - Bruce Willis

Like me, you may have followed Bruce Willis’ television and movie career since the early days of the Moonlighting TV series starring himself and Cybil Shepard. At that time in the 80’s, he was a relatively unknown actor while Cybil Shepard was the big name draw for the detective television series  At that time, not many well known movie stars would hang up their film career -- like Cybil Shepard did -- to work in television -- even though that seemed to have changed a lot in recent years.

My highly favorable impression of Bruce Willis as an actor was based on the character he played in the Moonlighting TV show. He played a character who had a sense of humor, did not take things seriously, and most importantly seemed to be ok working with a female boss -- since Cybil Shepherd's character in Moonlighting owned the detective agency.  While on Moonlighting,  Bruce Willis ventured out into movies to play other similar type light-hearted roles in such films as Blind Date and others.

Bruce Willis - Die Hard Movies Era

I was surprised and I must admit quite impressed when Bruce Willis made the bold move to star in the block-buster movie Die Hard.  In the Die Hard movie, he played the heroic figure of police detective John McClane who always seemed ready to save, not only the day -- but the world itself. After starring in Die Hard, suffice it to say, Bruce Willis’ career really sky-rocketed. His career transition from TV to movies was good timing since the Moonlighting television series, though successful in its own right, was coming to an end.

When you think of the first Die Hard movie, you may envision Bruce Wilis jumping out the window of a high-rise building, bare-footed, hanging on a fire hose with a large explosion in the background of a gigantic glass splattering skyscraper. What an iconic image!

From that time forward, Bruce Willis would star in other Die Hard sequel movies and in turn

became a well known, world wide action movie star who was undoubtedly paid very well.

 

Fast Forward to the Present - Bruce Willis' Movies

 

I’m sure Bruce Willis has an enormous fan base due to his work on the Die Hard films, as well as others.  As for me, whenever I notice that Bruce Willis is appearing in a film -- the movie becomes a “must-watch" one for me.

 

With that being said, for the past few years, it appears as if Bruce Willis' movie star brilliance has died hard, pun intended. If you watched any of his recent films, it's obvious that he is not giving his all in his performances, and dare I say, is just appearing in a movie to score a huge paycheck.  Of many, some examples of these Bruce Willis' low quality movies are  Survive The Night and Hard Kill. Another movie that I actually saw in the movie theaters a while bacck was Death Wish, which garnered only 1 1/2 stars from my movie review out of a possible 5 stars. Unfortunately, the Bruce Willis movie, Death Wish was that bad.

 

Bruce Willis - An Action Movie Hero Star

 

Known domestically and  internationally as a renowned action hero movie star, Bruce Willis is now showing signs  that he is ‘bored” with doing these type movies.  The term “bored'' was used directly by Bruce Willis and is not inferred by me.

 

However, the question is why is Bruce Willis continuing  to appear in movies, if these films are not the type that will stir up his passion for acting?  The answer from Bruce Willis appeared to be one word -- “ Money.”  

 

You may recall that a few years back Bruce Willis demanded an astounding $4 million dollars for 4 days of work on the Expendables movie -- which was understandably rejected by Sylvester Stallone.  Even though they have since patched up their relationship, at the time, Stallone described Bruce Willis as “greedy and lazy.”  By the way, he was offered $3 million for 3 days of work -- which he turned down.  Unbelievable!

 

Bruce Willis’ Motivation for Acting or Lack Thereof

 

Only Bruce Willis can explain what is happening to his career as well as his passion for acting. Has lucrative action roles simply dried up for him, or has his passion for action roles dwindled to the point where he may be looking for a change? Or maybe, dare I ask-- Is Bruce Willis ust looking for the next easy big paycheck, regardless of what type movie it is?

 

Bruce Willis Die Hard Movie Fans

 

Of course, I cannot speak for Bruce Willis fans or for the actor himself.  Bruce Willis continues to appear in movies -- mostly those that go straight to video or Video on Demand - VOD. His next movie will be Breach -- which has a release date of December 18, 2020. Could this movie be his turning point to regain his spark and ignite his passion for acting or will he continue to churn out straight to video type movies?

 

Who knows?  Maybe his film choices will improve, and he will once again become the action movie star that he was known for in his heyday.  Only time will tell.