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Cliffhanger
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dated '90s action adventure has violence, language, peril.

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Cliffhanger
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Based on 1 parent review
Good, but not that good.
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What's the Story?
In CLIFFHANGER, when a plane crashes into some mountains, ranger Gabe Walker (Sylvester Stallone) goes to the aid of the survivors. But what Walker doesn't know is that they are in fact a gang of criminals -- led by Eric Qualen (John Lithgow) -- who try to use Walker to locate some stolen money lost during the crash.
Is It Any Good?
A commercial smash upon its release in 1993, this action adventure was nominated for three Oscars for its sound and special effects. As might be expected, the latter has aged as the years have gone by, but the main thing that lets Cliffhanger down is a plot as thin as the high-altitude air that surrounds it. Stallone is typically committed in the role of Walker, a talented but troubled ranger. But not even Sly flinging himself into the movie's set pieces or the lengthy fight scenes can endure this blockbuster. Likewise, Lithgow has little use for his talents, cast as Qualen, the predictably British leader of a stranded gang of thieves who are in need of better one-liners as much as they are a rescue party.
While it's unfair to judge '90s special effects by today's standards, the liberal use of green screens date the movie at the points where it should be at its most dramatic. Instead it's the mountain range setting, a nerve-wracking opening scene, and a midair heist between aircraft that are the main attractions of this tired '90s action movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Cliffhanger. Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Talk about Walker and Tucker's friendship. How was it tested during the film and how did their relationship change? Did it remind you of difficult times you've had with your own friends? How did you overcome your differences?
Walker struggles to come to terms with a tragic event. How do certain characters try to help him? How does the movie's portrayal of mental health compare to how it's talked about today? Why is it important to discuss mental health?
How did the CGI and special effects in the movie compare to today's more modern techniques? Did you find them distracting?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 28, 1993
- On DVD or streaming: June 13, 2000
- Cast: Sylvester Stallone , Michael Rooker , John Lithgow
- Director: Renny Harlin
- Studio: TriStar Pictures
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Adventures
- Run time: 113 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence and language
- Last updated: September 14, 2023
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