May 31, 1993 -- ``Cliffhanger'' is the first of Hollywood's heavy artillery for what the industry hopes is a big summer season. The name, of course, comes from the dramatic device of putting people in peril at the end of an episode of a serial in order to get the audience interested in the next installment.

``Cliffhanger'' is the latest effort from Sylvester Stallone. It is a big-scale action adventure with plenty of blood and blasts. It resembles some Shakespeare plays only in that by the end of the story almost all the characters are laying in pools of blood.

This is comic book-style movie making. There's not much of a plot and little in the way of acting. The only things the film has going for it are spectacular scenery (it was filmed in the Alps), wonderful stunt work, camera work and special effects. Janine Turner (Northern Exposure) appears in the film in the role of love interest and helpless victim.

The film's pluses, including a great villain, played by John Lithgow, are enough to raise it one notch above average in my book. I give it a B.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.