A Must Read for Old-School Action Fans
Summary
Hit Hard – Die Last: When Action was Real makes for easy reading as Matthias Hues talks us through the realities of making action movies in the 80’s and 90’s while also giving us insights into his own challenges and doubts in his early days. It’s compelling stuff and a must have if you love old-school action movies.
Plot: Blood, sweat, and bruises—no stunt doubles, no second chances.
Step into the untamed world of 90s action cinema, where every punch landed, every stunt was real, and only the toughest survived.
In Hit Hard – Die Last, legendary action star Matthias Hues pulls back the curtain on the golden age of muscle-bound heroes and bone-crushing brawls. From Hollywood’s elite soundstages to underground fight clubs and chaotic foreign film sets, this is the untold, unfiltered truth of what it really took to make an action movie when men did their own stunts—and paid the price for it. This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a front-row seat to a dying art form, a love letter to an era before CGI and green screens—when real danger meant real entertainment. Hollywood has never looked like this. And this time, the bruises tell the story.
Review: Matthias Hues is best known for his roles in hugely entertaining action pictures like I Come in Peace, Digital Man, Bounty Tracker, Kickboxer 2, No Retreat No Surrender 2 and more. Over the past few years, he has turned his attention towards writing and has so far written three books – Shirtless in Hollywood, Hit Hard – Die Last: When Action was Real and Shadow Affairs: When the CIA Turns on its Deadliest Asset (which I am now reading).
Hit Hard – Die Last: When Action was Real is clearly self-published as there are a few wonky formatting issues but nothing too major. Hues is a great storyteller, and this easy-to-read book contains behind the scenes tales of his most iconic movies, and I love how honest he is.
He talks about his own self-doubts early on in his career and having to prove to himself and others that he belonged in the action movie industry. It’s funny reading about it as to me he was always a badass any time he’s on screen, so it’s fascinating to hear all about what went on off camera.
Matthias also talks about how he has an idea ready to go for I Come in Peace 2 which would be awesome if done right.
I read this in a couple of days as every page had some great story about his co-stars and who he may or may not have dated. It’s great stuff and if you’re a fan of old-school action you’ll love this book.
Overall, Hit Hard – Die Last: When Action was Real has the odd formatting issue, but aside from that this is a breezy read with some great stories and behind the scenes shenanigans from some of our favourite action movies.