Cliffhanger Reviews

By now, I must have seen most of the action flicks starring Sylvester Stallone and, to be honest, I think that most of them are pretty weak and boring but I have to admit that they are a few exceptions and this movie is definitely one of them. Indeed, I actually saw the damned thing in the movie theater when it was released and, since then, it has always been one of my guilty pleasures. Indeed, I must have been about 13 years old at the time and I thought the whole thing was seriously entertaining. I mean, obviously, I have actually no knowledge about rock-climbing and, if someone would tell me that the whole thing was grossly inaccurate, I wouldn’t be surprised. Personally, probably because I’m afraid of heights, I have always been fascinated by movies dealing with rock-climbing and, even though this movie was not really realistic, it is still one of the most entertaining blockbusters in this genre. Concerning Renny Harlin, after ‘Die Hard 2’, it was another solid directing effort but it all went down from here, I’m afraid. To conclude, even though it was definitely not a masterpiece, I really have a weak spot for the damned thing and I think it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre. 

With action superstar Sylvester Stallone unsuccessfully branching out into the comedy genre during the early 1990s (Oscar and Stop! Or My Mum Will Shoot), 1993's Cliffhanger found the actor returning to familiar territory: R-rated, testosterone-fuelled action spectacle. Directed by reliable action luminary Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, The Long Kiss Goodnight), Cliffhanger is one of the few Die Hard copycats that confidently stands alongside John McTiernan's 1988 action opus and does not look like a pale or lifeless imitation. It is also convincingly superior to the fourth and fifth Die Hard movies. Cliffhanger finds Stallone in his action-hero element, even showing more dramatic prowess than usual, and the film's breathtaking alpine backdrop gives it a unique and appealing aesthetic. Produced in the heyday of hard-R action shenanigans, this is a devilishly enjoyable, thrill-a-minute old-school action ride that scarcely puts a foot wrong.

Ranger and mountain climbing expert Gabe Walker (Sylvester Stallone) attempts to rescue his best friend, Hal (Michael Rooker), and Hal's girlfriend, Sarah (Michelle Joyner), when they become stranded in the Colorado Rockies. However, Sarah tragically dies during the rescue, prompting the guilt-ridden Gabe to give up climbing and leave to start a new life elsewhere. Eight months later, Gabe returns to his former ranger station to gather the last of his belongings and attempt to persuade his former lover, Jessie (Janine Turner), to come with him. Unfortunately, his arrival coincides with a botched midair hijacking of a U.S. Treasury flight that was transporting millions of dollars. After the plane crashes, the armed criminals - led by the psychotic Eric Qualen (John Lithgow) - call in a faux report of stranded hikers, hoping to lure a rescue team to their aid and use their climbing expertise to retrieve the cases of money from the dangerous, high-altitude, icy terrain. Hal heads out to locate the source of the distress call, while Jessie persuades Gabe to help, though Hal still resents Gabe over Sarah's death. Unfortunately, Qualen and his ruthless henchmen promptly take Gabe and Hal hostage. In true John McClane fashion, after Gabe manages to escape, he begins fighting back and hopes to retrieve the money before Qualen.

Following a harrowing, white-knuckle opening sequence that still packs an overwhelming wallop, the movie's adrenaline levels scarcely relent, with Harlin maintaining a firm sense of pacing. Consequently, the beefy 110-minute running time flies by unbelievably quickly. Additionally, even though the odd occasional scene requires a suspension of disbelief, the movie is not ridiculously over-the-top or cartoonish. In fact, Sly himself demanded that a stunt be altered in post-production after a test audience laughed out loud at the scene in question. With digital effects in their infancy, the action here is all practical, with authentic location shooting and stunt performers putting their lives on the line. As a result, the action feels more grounded and authentic, amplifying the sense of danger and tension, though not all of the blue-screen shots confidently stand the test of time. The Italian Alps convincingly stand in for the Rocky Mountains, and the scenery is incredibly eye-catching, with Alex Thompson's cinematography gracefully capturing the location's natural beauty. With the benefit of a $70 million budget, Cliffhanger is well-made and looks spectacular, with plenty of thrilling moments, and there is a gravitas to the production that is not commonly present in B-grade action pictures. Also worth mentioning is the zingy, memorable score courtesy of Trevor Jones, which amplifies the excitement and adds ample flavour.

Considering the high replay value of Cliffhanger, in addition to the sense of adventure, sinister villains, breathtaking visuals and sparkling one-liners, this is one of Harlin's finest directorial efforts. It's a standout that proudly stands alongside other classic '90s action productions (Speed, Face/Off, Con Air, The Rock) for its relentless sense of danger and tension, and its incredibly high entertainment value. Cliffhanger borrows elements from countless other action movies and contains several clichés, including the antagonism between Gabe and Hal, as well as Gabe overcoming his guilt by thwarting Qualen and his men. Written by Michael France and Stallone himself, the screenplay is predictable, but it is bolstered by sharp dialogue, with Lithgow delivering plenty of amusing, dryly sarcastic one-liners. The movie exhibits a healthy sense of humour, which is why it's so entertaining. However, some of the dialogue amounts to clichéd action-movie speak, and there is a noticeably on-the-nose moment when Jessie, in trying to convince the hesitant Gabe to accompany Hal during the rescue mission, tells him, "You're going to be stuck on that ledge for the rest of your life." Fortunately, it is easy to overlook these shortcomings when the movie is this entertaining. Harlin is a competent action director, and the bloodshed is gloriously R-rated, with the gunshots showing a visceral punch that is not present in contemporary PG-13 blockbusters. Many of the film's violent moments were trimmed in post-production, and some of the editing is intermittently awkward as a result, but this is a minor flaw.

Sly mostly grunts, fights, and performs Herculean physical tasks during the set pieces, but the role requires more depth than expected. Gabe Walker is not a one-dimensional hero, as Stallone displays vulnerability and uncharacteristic weakness, making him a more empathetic and engaging protagonist. Many forget that Stallone started his career as an Oscar-winning actor in Rocky, and it is nice to witness him flexing his compelling dramatic muscles between the action. Thankfully, a strong supporting cast accompanies Sly, with Cliffhanger feeling more like an ensemble piece than a one-man action show. The suave John Lithgow is a hoot as Qualen, making for a terrific villain who is surprisingly capable and intelligent. He's heartless, cold and calculating, but his calm and always in-control demeanour gives him a sinister edge. Meanwhile, Rooker brings terrific intensity and believability to the role of Hal, and Turner confidently mixes vulnerability with spunk, in addition to sharing wonderful chemistry with Stallone. Other actors make an equally favourable impression, including Caroline Goodall as Qualen's ruthless female accomplice, and Ralph White (The Waltons), who brings warmth and class to the role of a veteran search-and-rescue pilot. Of course, nobody deserves Oscars for their work here (the film received three Oscar nominations for its technical accomplishments), but the acting remains surprisingly good for an action movie.

Despite the critical beating it received upon its release, Cliffhanger is primo entertainment that mostly holds up over three decades later. A career high point for both Renny Harlin and Sylvester Stallone, Cliffhanger is all about grand-scale action set pieces, violence and one-liners. Although it is predictable to an extent, it is more about the journey than the destination, and this journey is one hell of an adrenaline rush - it's thrilling and action-packed, with a first-rate cast, excellent special effects and breathtaking visuals.

7.8/10