DirkH’s review published on Letterboxd:
Part of Dastardly Difficult December: film nr.59
I hadn't seen this in quite some time and I actually upped my rating half a star. It is just so much fun.
Renny Harlin is only as good as the scripts he's given. I don't think he is a director that can create anything other than what's written for him. He has directed one of my guilty pleasures (Deep Blue Sea) and did an ok job following a true classic (Die Hard 2). This one is up there with one other of his best, The Long kiss Goodnight. All his other films are utter tosh.
This film practically directs itself as it has two very important ingredients. It has an original premise with a fantastic setting and it has a superb bad guy. We are provided with just enough dramatic backstory to warrant Stallone's trademark droopy stares and it actually gives enough tension among the protagonists, which in itself leads to a nice layer of suspense that covers it all.
The plot is effectively simple and has some deftly handled action sequences in it, a thing (maybe the only thing) Harlin does pretty well. The opening scene is by now a classic and the scene with the planes is absolutely riveting. I really liked the way the script made the mountains almost another character. Apart from having to deal with the bad guys, there is always the threat of the ruthless environment our heroes have to deal with.
Swaying through a classic 'Ten Little Indians' narrative, Sly makes for a very good and trustworthy St. Bernard's dog (similarities in appearances are completely coincidental I'm sure). Michael Rooker is awesome because, well, he's Michael Rooker. And then there's Mr. Lithgow. My God, the man is pure evil. The sneers and looks he gives are convincingly venomous and I can only imagine how much fun he must have had playing this. His villain is another thing that lifts this film above being just another action flick. Simply fantastic.
I think Cliffhanger perhaps doesn't always get the credit it deserves as it delivers everything you'd want from a film like this and it does so really well.