Big alpine action with megastar Sylvester Stallone taking on dual thieving villains in a treacherous mountain setting makes this a defining 90s movie thriller, full of quotable one-liners and memorable set pieces and kills.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 8, 2024

What I would give for more films with Cliffhanger’s sense of scale and spectacle.

| Jun 13, 2023

The main thing that lets Cliffhanger down is a plot as thin as the high-altitude air that surrounds it.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 9, 2021

An admittedly frivolous yet highly entertaining action-heavy survivalist thriller.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Sep 11, 2020

...Cliffhanger kicks off with an enthralling sequence detailing a perilous rescue attempt within the aforementioned Rocky Mountains.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 20, 2019

If you're a Stallone fan and a 4K enthusiast, this is a must-see for the sheer wonderment of the visuals. If you're one of those who can take or leave Sly and is nonplussed on 4K, there's really not much on offer for you here.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Nov 14, 2018

Cliffhanger does its damnedest to see that the audience gets its money's worth of thrills. But for all the state-of-the-art stunt work, the movie has little personality; it's ice cream without flavor.

| Apr 10, 2018

Its special effects and scenery tower over its dialogue, its plotting and its character development, which are near rock bottom.

| Apr 10, 2018

it has truly awe-inspiring stunts and special effects and many of its suspense sequences will leave you with your heart in your mouth.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 3, 2013

There's a visceral charge to the high-altitude chase scenes, but the thriller ultimately falls flat, even on its own limited terms.

| Aug 3, 2013

High adventure and vertigo blend with blood and bullets to make this tension-packed tall tale a spectacular avalanche of dizzying escapism.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 3, 2013

The fact that so much money was lavished on such a thick-headed project represents the height of fiscal ineptitude, but this is the kind of roller-coaster ride for which eager audiences will gladly check their brains at the turnstiles, so go figure.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 3, 2013

The cinematography and gravity-defying stunt performances are exhilarating. The story, alas, is pure routine.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 3, 2013

An unexpectedly average adventure movie.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 3, 2013

Some movies get you so excited - so revved up on action and thrills -- that you almost feel like you're flying. Cliffhanger makes you feel like you're dropping.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 3, 2013

Nothing in Cliffhanger could possibly surpass that terrific opening jolt, but it's a smart, enjoyable summer action thriller nonetheless, directed by Renny Harlin with the focused energy of a Boy Scout earning badges.

| Aug 3, 2013

That rasping tension is soon smoothed away, as the plot sets off on its daft and hackneyed course.

| Aug 3, 2013

Cliffhanger no doubt makes for a great coming attraction, but as a two-hour movie its claims are much more problematic.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 3, 2013

Take away the mountains and what you have is a howlingly bad action film with a cornball villain out to steal a massive amount of United States currency from federal agents.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Aug 3, 2013

Like the roller-coaster ride Cliffhanger clearly wants to be, the film sends you out pleasantly rattled and wobbly of gait.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 3, 2013