Review of Cliffhanger (1993) by Jordan R — 23 Nov 2008
Typical Stallone actioner that isn't quite a typical Stallone actioner by having Stallone's Gabe Walker character *not* be a superman who always saves the day with flags flying and banners waving (though he does by the end OOOH SPOILER). The opening fall was pretty tense, as were most of the early climbing sequences. Heights. Eesh.
Not that many kills for a movie like this. The mountain is far more dangerous than anyone who's fighting/climbing/thieving on it. The weirdest people make it out alive, other than Stallone and Janine Turner. Hal got out alive? The pursuing Treasury agents didn't get chewed up in a futile gun battle with Qualen's gang? Odd.
Which brings us to Qualen. Lithgow does pretty well with the role, turning up the Arrogance/Psychopathy/Evil Meter as high as he can get it. Didn't see the bit with Kristel coming.
It's fun and not over-long. Premise is goofy and some of the dialogue really clunks (Englishmen trying to be American-style bad guys always sets my teeth on edge), and all of Qualen's gang have a tendency to monologue when they should be killing. They shouldn't *all* be like that. Only Big Bads get to monologue.
Don't pay a lot, if anything, to see it. It's nice to see them turn some cliches on their heads, but there isn't enough of it to make this one a standout.
This review of Cliffhanger (1993) was written by Jordan R on 23 Nov 2008.
Cliffhanger has generally received positive reviews.
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