 Thin story, good action and suspense. |
| Review Date: June 20, 2001 |
| Reviewer: D. Litton, Wilmington, NC |
| "Cliffhanger" is one of those movies where the suspense sequences and action stunts outweigh everything else by a landslide (pardon the pun). There's really not much to the development of characters or plot, except that the movie uses the script as an excuse to put its characters in extremely dangerous situations one after another. On this ground, it works splendidly, and while the story and characterization are weak, there are still some good performances turned in by the cast. The movie sets itself up with the promised white-knuckle action in a sequence that brings on the tension but fails to move us emotionally. On his way to retrieve his best friend, Hal Tucker (Michael Rooker) and his girlfriend, Sarah, from a 4,000 peak, Gabe Walker (Sylvester Stallone) makes an attempt to rescue Sarah after she begins falling, without success. Hal blames it on Gabe, and Gabe's own self-torment keeps him from town and from his own love, Jessie (Janine Turner). This move, while meant to establish emotion and character depth, doesn't do a whole lot for the script. The movie then transfers us to a U.S. treasury plane, where three cases of money, in bills unusable except by a select group of people in the world, are being flown across the country. The plane is soon hijacked by a group of terrorists, led by Eric Qualen (John Lithgow). However, his plans are ruined once they lose the cases at high altitude and crash in the Rocky Mountains, where they call for help under the guise of being in danger. Sparing the rest of the movie's twists and turns, once Gabe and Hal arrive on the scene, they are taken hostage and forced to climb mountains and hike through forests to find the three cases of money, soon bringing more people into the situation than the movie calls for. The movie chooses to focus more on the action than on the story itself, which really isn't that bad a move. From the high-altitude stunts to the white-knuckle suspense generated by the scenes charged with high-octane suspense, the movie doesn't lose its ability to get our attention with actors hanging on the edges of cliffs and mountains, holding on for dear life. The tension generated by the terrorists is, at best, mediocre. Even under the shadow of leader Lithgow, whose flair for turning a colorful phrase at every moment is funny yet unsettling, the movie never really gives us any reason to fear the henchmen along for the climb. There are certain moments, such as that in which the only black terrorist hunts Gabe and Jessie in a cavern, or when Gabe is trapped beneath an ice-covered lake. However, the only people the terrorists knock off we aren't given too much time to know, so what reason do we have to care? Stallone is back in fine form, the action hero we've always admired from his earlier "Rocky" days. He's required to carry a lot of the heroism on his shoulders, and big as those shoulders are, that is no easy task. Yet, he is able to pull it off, with the help of Rooker and Turner, who give jobs well done in their roles. While not the best action film ever made, "Cliffhanger" is a commendable piece of suspense that works due to its breathtaking action sequences and the altitude of its settings. It tends to drag in places, but really, with a movie that's so focused on getting us into a sweat, what does it matter? |
Stallone fan
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| Review Date: March 27, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Chrissy K. McVay, North Carolina |
Can't help it, I'm a Stallone fan (though I didn't care for the dingy movie with Dolly), but this one is great for the collection. I started following this actor with all the Rocky movies, then Rambo, etc. This movie has the unforgettable death scene that hooks you in the beginning, and the stunts with the 'plane' that follow are excellent. When you mix mountain climbing with lots of snow and ice, and toss in some bad guys, there's bound to be a lot of action. The movie hasn't edged out the Rocky and Rambo movies as my favorites, but it's a good Stallone flick.
Chrissy K. McVay - Author |
Edge of Your Seat ... er, Cliff
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| Review Date: January 3, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Randy Given, Manchester, CT USA |
| This is a nail-biter of a movie. There are many points that keep you on the edge of your sear, er, cliff. The cinematography is excellent and so is the acting. Although the setting is snow-covered mountains, it is viewable any time of the year (watching during a snow storm is especially gripping). This is better than many of the summer block-buster movies we have seen in the past ten years, so give it a try. |
No bullets, bitch!
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| Review Date: February 5, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Alex K, |
| I LOVE THIS MOVIE! It is full of intense action and a lot of suspenseful moments that will keep you on the edge of your ass, and a lot of terrific quotes, funny moments, and fight scenes. It follows a man named Gabe Walker, played by Sly Stallone, who is guilty after losing his girl Sarah on a mountain climb. Later, when a bunch of evil men goes to the mountains for money he gets the guts back, and his new girl, Jesse, comes with him. He meets up with Hal, one of his comrades on the last climb. They fight at first, but then become friends when the baddies show up. Soon, these villains are looking for money, and will stop at nothing to get it. A lot of fight scenes occur, and in the end, there is battle like you've never seen before. How does this film end? See it and find out. But I will tell you that if you like action, then see Cliffhanger! You won't regret it one tiny little bit!! And don't f*** with Stallone's success! |
Hang on
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| Review Date: December 18, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Nate, Brisbane, QLD AUSTRALIA |
| While this movie is not as dramatic on DVD as it was in theatres, the scenery is still great, with lots of action sequences and a great performance from John Lithgow in the bad guy role, Cliffhanger is one of the great action flicks and still one of Stallone's best. At a cheap price, this is a great buy, strongly recommended. |
"Keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all time!"
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| Review Date: January 8, 2006 |
| Reviewer: S. Sarhan, Dearborn, Michigan United States |
Cliffhanger is an action thriller directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2: Die Harder) and starring Sylvester Stallone (Rocky), John Lithgow (Blow Out), Michael Rooker (JFK), and Janine Turner.
The opening sequence of the movie is true to the movie's title. Stallone's character, Gabe Walker, hanging on a cliff of a mountain, and later, holding on tight to the hand of an unexperienced climber named Sarah as she's screaming and begging Gabe to save her life from the fall of death.
Gabe leaves his rescue work behind after the fateful death of his buddy Hal Tucker's, played by Rooker, girlfriend because he couldn't save her. Gabe happens to be back in the mountainous region to make amends with his girl, played by Turner, when Eric Qualen, played brilliantly by Lithgow, and his gang of theives hijack a government plane filled with millions of dollars, and crash land in the snow covered mountains of Colorado losing the cases of money in the process. Gabe and Hal are the first to arrive at the scene of the crash for rescue work only to be kidnapped by the gang and used to find the money. Of course, Stallone gets away and plays a cat and mouse game with the gang up and down the mountains.
Cliffhanger is spectacularly breathtaking, and one of Stallone's best action films. However, John Lithgow is the one who steals the show entirely with his menacing turn as the bad guy.
Recommended
B |
DON'T LOOK DOWN
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| Review Date: May 27, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Michael Butts, Martinsburg, WV USA |
| I first saw this movie when it was in theaters, and even on this second viewing, I found myself on the edge of my seat in the opening sequence. Director Renny Harlin gives us a breathtaking, ultimately horrific, scene in which a young inexperienced climber fights for her life, and loses. From this point on, CLIFFHANGER maintains that sense of dizzying tension and is one of Sylvester Stallone's best movies. With gorgeous scenery and awesome "cliffhanging" sequences, CLIFFHANGER never lets up and is a pure adrenaline rush. Stallone does well, as does his supporting cast: John Lithgow (whom I will never forgive for killing Nancy Allen in Blowout); Craig Fairbass as the psychotic soccer player; Rex Linn as the repulsive Travers; Janine Turner as the lovely love interest; Michael Rooker as the onetime friend of Stallone's, and of course, Michelle Joyner as Sarah, whose plea for Stallone to save her life is as gutwrenching as ever. For pure testosterone thrills, CLIFFHANGER is still one of the best. |
Flaws aplenty...but the action is so solid that it makes this film well worth a look!
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| Review Date: September 18, 2008 |
| Reviewer: RMurray847, Albuquerque, NM United States |
It's been a dozen or more years since I last saw CLIFFHANGER, but on a whim the other night, I took a new look at it. Boy, times have sure changed!
This exciting action-adventure was made before backgrounds could be computer generated. I remember that when it came out, it seemed fresh, gritty and realistic. Now it is painfully easy to see how many of the scenes are played against fake backgrounds made of Styrofoam, or worse yet, against blue screens. When characters are flying in helicopters, we see that the landscapes outside the open doors are really just movies of mountains going by. And yes, that is more distracting than I care to admit...I've become spoiled by the far more seamless effects that are possible today. Chances are, you will be too.
But this does not make CLIFFHANGER a bad movie. It's such a clear, simple story that it still works tremendously well. In a nutshell...some bad-guys (led by John Lithgow...more on him later) cause a plan full of money to crash into a mountain range. They go to recover the money and essentially force one "search and rescue" kind of guy (Michael Rooker) to track their money for them. They are followed by Rooker's colleague (played by Sylvester Stallone), who knows that once these guys have their money, they will kill Rooker. Stallone works to thwart their plans by killing the bad guys off one by one.
It's a simple enough story, but what elevates it is the enormously successful opening sequence of the film. We see Rooker and his girlfriend have climbed a mountain and are now kind of stuck on their high precipice. While Rooker is an experienced climber, his girlfriend is not out of her league. So these two need a little rescuing of their own. A helicopter with Stallone, HIS girlfriend (Janine Turner) and their boss (Ralph Waite) lands on a mountain-top across from them, and a robe is passed between the two spots. Rooker easily slides across the space, not fearful of the mile-long plunge below him. But his girlfriend is understandably fearful, and Stallone persuades her to try the crossing. She gets halfway across and then has trouble with her gear. She is moments from death...so Stallone comes after her, and in a heartpounding, heartbreaking few moments, he is unable to save her...and she falls to her death.
In five minutes, we have established the main "good" guys, gotten us all well and truly to the edge of our seats, and created a dynamic between the two men that will haunt much of the rest of the film. Stallone blames himself (and Rooker blames Stallone) for the death...even when we know that this woman had no business being up where she was, except that Rooker wanted to show off.
The film features many outstanding rock and mountain climbing sequences...and lots of snow. No one ever seems to suffer from the cold...but other than that, it's a blunt, brutal, fast-paced film. Each encounter between the good guys and bad guys is a little, exciting set-piece of its own. The bad guys are a very typical cast-of-characters...frankly, they are taken almost directly from DIE HARD...a film which obviously greatly inspired CLIFFHANGER. Stallone is like Bruce Willis' John McClane...capable of absorbing so much damage and still bouncing back. However, Stallone is actually amazingly convincing in the role, both physically and as an actor. He looks like a guy who could actually pull of the things he does...yet he plays it as a man unaccustomed to brutality. He does what he does to save himself and his estranged friend. As the movie progresses, he clearly comes to relish his role as "avenger"...particularly after Lithgow and his crew pull a particularly sneaky stunt on Ralph Waite.
The DIE HARD comparisons continue with Lithgow's performance. He is clearly modeled on Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber from that film...and unfortunately, he comes across as nearly laughable. His performance is so over-the-top and his accent so hard to pinpoint that Lithgow falls short of being a criminal mastermind, but mostly comes off as a petulant little boy. A psychopathic little boy, to be sure, but he doesn't quite generate the chills he is clearly meant to. I often like Lithgow...but sometimes his oddness and acting-style do NOT serve the movie. Such is the case here.
Rooker is perfectly fine in his role, and he gets a couple of good fight scenes in himself. As with Stallone, he's also believable as a mountain climber. He's also a noble guy, and we really empathize with him throughout. Janine Turner, popular at the time for "Northern Exposure", looks convincing too with her short hair...but is really given little to do. Carolyn Goodall, as Lithgow's girlfriend, plays the villainous role more convincingly than Lithgow. Ralph Waite is always a pleasure to see...he radiates warmth and kindness.
But director Renny Harlin stages the action sequences so well, and Stallone gives one of his three or four best performances...and that's what makes the film hold up today. The effects are "old school," but the solid filmmaking overcomes this. (A few years ago, VERTICAL LIMIT, a similar movie with far superior effects came out. It sure looked great...but it totally missed the boat on creating genuine excitement.) I think today's audience might have a hard time accepting the cheese-factor of CLIFFHANGER...although if anyone can get through the opening scene without breaking a sweat, I'd be surprised. So, despite its flaws, I'm very glad I went back and took another look at this minor action classic.
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One of Stallone's best movies.
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| Review Date: April 3, 2005 |
| Reviewer: , |
| Cliffhanger came out in 1993 after a series of flops that filled Stallone's career. This was generally well recieved by critics, and grossed a good 84 million in the United States. The movie was nominated for about six Razzie Awards, which I think it doesn't deserve, because this movie was great from beginning to end. John Lithgow played a great villian, who was cold, and sadistic. Rex Linn was very good as Travis, and so was Ralph White, except for that part at the beginning where he was laughing as the girl was falling. Overall, a good solid sction movie |
Not What I Remembered
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| Review Date: June 11, 2001 |
| Reviewer: , |
| Cliffhanger is a high-paced action movie which pits Gabe (Sylvester Stallone), an experienced, but "tired of it all" mountain rescuer against a band of money-grubbing terrorists led by John Lithgow's character looking to retrieve their loot after it has been lost in the mountains. When I first heard about the DVD release of Cliffhanger, it was sort of like a revival. Here is a film that I had remembered as being something of a better-than-your-average action movie with a rugged and brash demeanor. However, although some of the action sequences are still amazing, there seems to be a total abandonment of character development after the first half hour of the film. It seems at times that scenes are shortened too much, whereas otherwise they would have a much more poignant effect if lengthened. John Lithgow's (in his pre 3rd-Rock days) character remains to me the high point of the film. As in his other notorious film, Raising Cain, he plays the same dignified, although completely insane mastermind, which I feel is the role that was truly meant for him. Stallone, on the other hand, though still able to "bang heads" with the best of them, cannot compete on the same acting grounds as Lithgow. If there is one thing about this movie that stands out from the rest, it is the breathtaking title sequence. To me, it was unexpected and added a sense of realism to the film, while giving the audience its first look at the grandeur of the mountainous landscape. This movie is a good "ho-hum" ride with a couple of surprises and a lot of holes. Stallone's best work remains in the first two Rocky films, which, with immense character focus, brings you into the heart of the lead man. As for more modern Stallone films, I prefer Assassins (played as a one-on-one duel across from Antonio Banderas) and Demolition Man (a funny view of the future). |
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