Watch Cliffhanger

Cliffhanger is an action-packed adventure movie from 1993 starring Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, and Michael Rooker. The film, directed by Renny Harlin and written by Michael France, tells the story of a group of mountaineers who get caught up in a heist gone wrong in the Rocky Mountains. Sylvester Stallone plays Gabe Walker, a former mountain rescue ranger who has been traumatized by a tragic incident that happened on a rescue mission. He now works for the National Parks Service in Denver, but he returns to the mountains with his friend and fellow ranger Hal Tucker, played by Michael Rooker, to help rescue a group of stranded hikers.

However, when they reach the stranded hikers, they are ambushed by a gang of ruthless criminals led by Eric Qualen, played by John Lithgow. Qualen and his team are there to recover three suitcases full of stolen money that were lost in a plane crash in the mountains. When one of the hikers accidentally falls to her death, the criminals take the rangers hostage and force them to help them recover the money.

While the criminals are trying to find the suitcases, Gabe and Hal try to find a way to escape and alert the authorities. But they soon realize that their chances of survival are slim, as the criminals are well-armed and have no qualms about killing anyone who gets in their way. The movie then turns into a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between Gabe and Qualen, with the fate of everyone on the mountain hanging in the balance.

What sets Cliffhanger apart from other action movies is its stunning cinematography and breathtaking action sequences. The movie was shot on location in the Italian Alps, and the scenery is simply awe-inspiring. The mountain landscapes, snow-covered peaks, and icy glaciers provide a spectacular backdrop for the movie's action scenes, which include rappelling down vertical cliffs, jumping across canyons, and flying through the air on a cable car.

The action scenes are also incredibly well-choreographed, with Stallone and the other actors performing most of their own stunts. The movie's finale, in which Gabe battles Qualen on top of a helicopter dangling precariously from a cliff, is especially thrilling and has become one of the most iconic action movie scenes of all time.

But despite all the heart-pumping action, the movie also has some heartfelt moments. Stallone's character is haunted by the past and must come to terms with his demons in order to save himself and the others. His relationship with Hal, who also has a tragic past, is also touching and adds a layer of emotional depth to the movie.

The performances of the three leads are another standout feature of the movie. Stallone brings his trademark grit and physicality to the role of Gabe, while John Lithgow is deliciously villainous as the calculating and ruthless Qualen. Michael Rooker, perhaps best known for his role as Yondu in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, is also excellent as Hal, bringing a quiet intensity to the role.

In conclusion, Cliffhanger is a thrilling and visually stunning action movie that still holds up today, almost 30 years after its release. With its breathtaking scenery, pulse-pounding action, and strong performances, it's a must-watch for action movie fans, and one of Sylvester Stallone's best movies.

Cliffhanger is a 1993 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 60.