Direction was adequate, IMO. The biggest problem was the writing. It just didn't feel like John McClaine -- the smartass, wisecracking, fun character was replaced with a grumpy and bland character. The family backstory was presented poorly. The villains were really one-dimensional.
I still enjoyed it and would buy it if I found it cheap (I've loved the franchise since I was a kid), but it was certainly a letdown. If it hadn't been labeled Die Hard, I think my opinions would be much higher, but calling it Die Hard elicits certain expectations.