When ‘Die Hard with a Vengeance’ Took Over Tompkins Square Park

Die Hard with a Vengeance. It’s the quintessential action movie – fast-talking New York detective John McClane battles German bank robbers on the city streets. You know, everyday type shit. Anyway, it’s been on TV a bunch recently and we were reminded of the substantial screen time of both Tompkins Square Park and Avenue A.

The water jug puzzle transpired in the park, but the elephant structure was built specifically for the movie. After completing the game, McClane and compatriot Zeus Carver hop the fence onto Avenue A, where we see them steal bicycles from neighborhood kids outside Odessa.

Even Ray’s Candy Store makes a quick cameo. Its 90s-era blue awning is visible, as is the newsstand at the entrance. Would be cool if Bob Arihood had been standing in the frame…

Meanwhile, the fifth film in the tired franchise, A Good Day to Die Hard, is in theaters now.