Review of Cliffhanger (1993) by Phil C — 07 Oct 2008

Cliffhanger succeeded in setting the parameters for the "mountain based action adventure movie." We open with a flashback to a past, horrific incident. (Inevitably involving problems on a rock face and the need by the film's hero to cut a rope and kill someone to save one or two others).

We then go to a point in the hero's life where they no longer climb mountains, but are forced back to it by some sort of emergency. And, finally, convinced of the need to face their fears they do by performing all sorts of overly dangerous activities which are rather a spit on the grave of those who died at the beginning of the film to ensure their survival.

So, bonus points for defining a new genre. Points deducted for it being the genre which would later spawn Chris O Donnell's "Vertical Limit.".