Cliffhanger (1993)

The critic finds the film succeeds spectacularly at generating suspense and cold-sweat thrills through its death-defying action sequences and vertiginous visuals. Dialogue is the main drawback, but the sophistication of the effects and the breathtaking mountain backdrop provide the chief pleasures.

The critic calls it an ideal summer popcorn picture that delivers nonstop visceral thrills and vertiginous footage unlike anything seen before. Harlin’s pacing and the convincing verisimilitude of the mountain action sequences are singled out for praise.

The critic calls it one of Sylvester Stallone’s finest starring vehicles, with arguably the best opening scene in modern action cinema. They single out the expert staging of suspenseful sequences, the imposing snowcapped setting, sterling stunt work, and Renny Harlin’s direction as the pinnacle of his career.

The review praises the tense, vertigo-inducing set-pieces and taut suspense as action filmmaking at its best, calling it a career high for both Harlin and Stallone despite some script clichés.

High adventure and vertigo blend with blood and bullets to make this tension-packed tall tale a spectacular avalanche of dizzying escapism. Nail-biting stunts and photography that's close to the edge are the true stars of this Rockies-set Die Hard, directed with breathless energy by Renny Harlin.

The film delivers on its promise of big-budget stunts and special effects as an entertaining action machine, even if the plot strains credibility. Ebert praises the thrilling sequences involving Stallone dangling from cliffs and the work of the stunt performers under Renny Harlin's direction.

The critic finds the special effects state-of-the-art but the script clichéd and predictable, with a vertical drama that fails to induce vertigo on screen. While the varied action sequences keep viewers gripped for most of the runtime, the villain is weak and the story descends into clichés by the end.

The high-flying stunts are state of the art and generate excitement, but the story and dialogue fall flat once the action pauses. Turan singles out the sadistic violence and weak dramatic texture for criticism while noting the impressive Dolomites photography.

The critic concludes that the film fails to sustain its early promise, with excitement quickly giving way to cheapness and airy nonsense. Technical sophistication is acknowledged, but the overall manner is seen as blaring and the story corny.

Director Harlin makes the most of the scenery, but seldom manages to induce a tingling sense of vertigo. Fun for the undemanding, but Stallone's 'comeback' should have been much tighter.

The critic finds Cliffhanger the better of two 1993 action films reviewed together and calls it good junk fun with solid choreography. He singles out the practical mountain-climbing sequences, especially a vertigo-inducing circling shot of Stallone, for praise while noting some dated CGI.

The critic has always had time for Cliffhanger as a good, solid action flick and career revival for Stallone. They single out the stunning scenery and ambitious action sequences filmed at altitude, along with the surprising opening scene, as what lifts the film.