Cliffhanger

Written by: Stallone and others Starring: Stallone, Janine Turner, John Lithgow

If you like STUNTS you'll like this movie. It's all about STUNTS, and it also has a lot of STUNTS. Actually, great action movie making in the service of a not very good movie. As reported, the visuals and STUNTS are unbelievable, the drama laughable. Kind of a "First Blood" meets "Die Hard". But I have to give credit to the craft of the picture; it is literally breathtaking at times, and Harlin really keeps things percolating. Just when you thought they couldn't wow you any further they do. Turner gets the short end in a weakly written role (gee, a weak woman in a Stallone picture? What a surprise). If she's a stud(ette) too, why does she whimper so much? She never gets her licks in. Lithgow reprises his rational maniac role from "Ricochet," but he's surprisingly routine. Still, you don't go to this looking to criticize the narrative or the acting. You go to be entertained and thrilled. And unless you're in a coma, you will be. (6/2/93)