Die Hard is what set the archetype in the first place. This is what makes it such a rivetting movie, you know its not just another action movie but the action movie by which all others are judged.

In terms of themes, I'm not sure I chime with the conservative one. The reason Die Hard is a christmas movie (and not just one set at christmas) is because ultimately it is about one man selflessly putting himself on the line for a bunch of people he has never met in a place he doesn't even want to be. This is the antithesis of 1080's reaganism and arguably, underneath it all, closer to a religious one.

Yes he wants to save his wife but he does make a concerted effort to save the other hostages. He tries to get Ellis to back down so he doesn't get killed.