Me too, nice bonus! Love these guys. Don't always agree with 'em, but they're entertaining and so are their written reviews. Fun to compare and contrast.
Cliffhanger is one of the best action movies of the decade. Bad guys make action movies, and Cliffhanger has great bad guys, as well as fantastic action scenes and a solid plot.
Saw Cliffhanger in 1993 on a Saturday night at a sneak preview (anyone remember those?). I can tell you very much that the audience was rocking and reeling the entire time with excitment.
The way Siskel says "Go ahead" at 4:17 kills me. Like a pissed off wife who wants to scold his husband, but they're in public so she's gonna wait til they get home to lace into him.
I know I cracked up when he said " no no not this " just bc rober said " gee I dont know gene " rofl. My favorite reviews if theirs are when they hate something together so much they crack up. See red sonya or Leonard part 6.
I agree with Ebert. Every entertaining action popcorn flick doesn't need an insanely good story if it still manages to be entertaining and carry you through the ride. Not everything has to be the Mona Lisa or super deep to be enjoyable, lol. You can be in the mood for different stuff at different times. It doesn't make you shallow for liking it either ;)
John Lithgow says that if he had a nickel for every time someone asked him to quote, "You know what true love is? Sacrifice." I think that means it was good.
@@ricardocantoral7672 I first encountered Lithgow in Cliffhanger. I was like 14. He scared the bejeesus out of me. When I saw him in Third Rock later on, I was like, "This guy...can play that guy?" I know that's what an actor's job is, but it shows that to me anyway he gave a great performance.
and he followed that up with DEMOLITION MAN, another movie that is one of my favorites, that came out in the fall of the same year, it was a good year for him
Back in the 90s, when we used video stores, we would get the weekend movies on Friday night turn them in on Monday morn on the way to work. I saw hundreds of movies this way, and passed up thousands of movies left on the shelves. Cliffhanger was one of those. Never saw it.
A mean spirited review from Siskel here. There’s nothing wrong with Stallone here at all. The story in Cliffhanger’s pretty solid to me. Simple but effective in how the opening scene’s trauma adds real vulnerability to the hero. The photography, the score and John Lithgow’s central villain all elevate the film even higher too.
I swear. . They hate every movie I loved growing up. . . Cliffhanger was great. . Great stunts, and John Lithgow was a great villain. . . Good for you Ebert.
I think this Stallone best action film since First blood. At that time. It is rollercoaster ride of a movie. Mountain scenes made me feel afraid of heights too.
Made in America was comedy fluff but we don't always need a message or deep movie. Siskel was really off this episode and I usually agree with him. I saw Cliffhanger in the theater and the audience loved it.
Cliffhanger is a great movie(great action scenes ,but no script). I don't know if anybody feels the same way I do: John Lithgow is a great villain, but he is another actor Hollywood did not know what to do with after early successes.
Siskel thought that every single movie had to be Citizen Kane in order to be worth watching. He was pretty ridiculous in that aspect, but fun to watch. RIP
14:18 "I liked it and yet, at the same time I have a strange feeling that this genre has reached the end of its reproductive cycle." I think this is one of Ebert's best predictions of all time. That genre really started to suck around that time.
No punches held back, despite Gene's ailment. Cliffhanger was definitely one of their most heated arguments on the show. Nice to see Richard Crenna with a sense of humor after his Rambo appearances. The cycle of the Airplane/Naked Gun-type comedies lasted thru one more Naked Gun movie and a couple of Scary Movies before fading away.
I have to agree with Siskel about 'Cliffhanger' and the script. I was very disappointed and the film doesn't add up to much, despite impressive moments.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Of course i do! and so do my two youtube friends Ocpcommunicationd and Ramboraph4life who are friends of mine on facebook and here on youtube as my 2 favorite critics as they are critics with a passion for movies They have high standards like me
How many action films have we seen where an innocent guy gets hijacked by a bunch of villains who've stolen a bunch of money? At this point, that's a standard plot. Your action movie then becomes less about story, and more about location and style. Death-defying heights! Breathtaking scenery! Beautiful photography! Skillful staging of scenes! A real sense of mortal danger! Cliffhanger has all of these, in spades. It's like what Roger always said: "When it comes to a movie, it's not about what it's about―it's about _how it's about it."_
Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert knew that men and women had been having a traumatic year after watching the traumatic Sylvester Stallone suspense movie Cliffhanger.
I miss these guys and I enjoyed Gene Siskel...but these are some of the movies he gave a thumbs down to. A reminder not to take movie critics too seriously. -Apocalypse Now -Beverly Hills Cop - Ferris Buellers Day Off - The Terminator - Hoosiers -Field of Dreams -Silence of the Lambs - Cliffhanger - Boogie Nights - Casino -Edward Scissorhands
Cliffhanger has lots of action, but some outrageous over acting with testosterone being sprayed all over the place and a scenery chewing contest between Michael Rooker, Rex Lynn and John Lithgow.
@@qrste81 It was Ebert with the cancerous salivary glands. Siskel had a cancerous brain tumor and it was the after effects of a surgery that took his lide. I seriously just think he had a sore throat here.
Hey Cliffhanger that movie came out in 1993 that same I have was three when I didn't see that movie that was to violent for me when I was a child back then but I saw this when it was out on paper-view back then but I went with my parents to go see Jurassic park & Dennis the menace in that same year of 1993.
Siskel puts a bit too much weight in screenplay. Film is a visual medium. And there are so many elements and pieces that make up a movie. Screen okay is important. But if other elements are working while the screenplay lacks, you are still left with a experience that can entertain. Siskel didn’t like the story. It doesn’t mean it isn’t entertaining for people. In the end. That’s what a movie is a bout. Entertainment and escapism. Ebert always understood this.
Crushing Cliffhanger AND simultaneously praising Die Hard 2: There´s gotta be a "No but seriously"-part of Siskels review that somehow got cut and lost. This must be the April´s Fool version.
@@Johnlindsey289 There's nothing wrong as far it does what he should be as far as action/suspense. But I find the story quite unremarkable. They try to repeat a movie like Die Hard but without the great writing or great characters. Even the main villain seems to be a Hans Gruber wannabe but less interesting.
@@johnnyskinwalker4095 I disagree,, the villains are strong and charismatic in this movie and the script and story is good stuff! plus likable hero. i think this is a classic and even my two favorite youtube critics (better than pro critics) who are real people with an actual passion for movies praised this movie as their names are Ocpcommunications and Ramboraph4life and gave it five stars, even me. They have actual standards in movies like me and unlike pro critics
Cliffhanger is the definition of a pretty average premise, with meh characters, and meh dialogue being elevated by it's gorgeous cinematography. That alone makes it worth the watch for me. As an action flick it's also fun, but not special.
Gene really got it wrong with Cliffhanger but I disagree with Roger that there's no story. It has a basic story (bad guys want money, they kidnap one of the good guys and force him to help, Stallone's gotta rescue him) and the villains were made evil and ruthless enough that you wanted to see Stallone wipe them out. I'd even say that Michael Rooker's subplot was more interesting than Stallone's. You can call it derivative of Die Hard, but if you're gonna copy a movie, it makes sense to copy a good one.
Roger Ebert once said that if Gene liked some things in a movie and not others, he usually wouldn't give the movie a positive review. I think it's fair to say that Roger was more likely to come up with a review where he'd basically say "some things in this movie worked for me, some didn't, but enough good things were here for me to give it a thumbs-up".
Gene loved Rocky 5, but did not like Cliffhanger. Well ok different kind of movies. But Rocky 5 was uninspiring, bland and boring. Cliffhanger was fun and entertaining.
Does anyone wish Siskel and Ebert was just Ebert. 😂 Siskel is wrong so often it’s unreal, you’d be better off flipping a coin, at least that’s right 50% of the time.
Came here for Cliffhanger review, didn't know Menace to Society would be included....Sweet!
Me too, nice bonus! Love these guys. Don't always agree with 'em, but they're entertaining and so are their written reviews. Fun to compare and contrast.
I sat on the deck listening to the Doors the night my parents rented Cliffhanger. They laughed and howled louder than my boom box.
1990 to 1996 there were some great movies
Such a treat to see these guys again. Thanks so much for posting all these full shows.
Cliffhanger is one of the best action movies of the decade. Bad guys make action movies, and Cliffhanger has great bad guys, as well as fantastic action scenes and a solid plot.
Saw Cliffhanger in 1993 on a Saturday night at a sneak preview (anyone remember those?). I can tell you very much that the audience was rocking and reeling the entire time with excitment.
Cliffhanger is my favorite Siskel and Ebert movie review ever. Roger was inches away from asking Gene if he wanted to step outside.
Ha! I loved them both though.
00:11:08 ... "I don't care. I don't care."
Always the most famous of last words.
The way Siskel says "Go ahead" at 4:17 kills me. Like a pissed off wife who wants to scold his husband, but they're in public so she's gonna wait til they get home to lace into him.
*Roger* - Gee, I dunno Gene umm-
*Gene* - Oh no no, not this.
*Roger* - Oh yes yes yes yes.
*RIP guys.*
I know I cracked up when he said " no no not this " just bc rober said " gee I dont know gene " rofl. My favorite reviews if theirs are when they hate something together so much they crack up. See red sonya or Leonard part 6.
I agree with Ebert. Every entertaining action popcorn flick doesn't need an insanely good story if it still manages to be entertaining and carry you through the ride. Not everything has to be the Mona Lisa or super deep to be enjoyable, lol. You can be in the mood for different stuff at different times. It doesn't make you shallow for liking it either ;)
That’s why I trust TH-cam critics like ocpcommunications and ramboraph4life
John Lithgow says that if he had a nickel for every time someone asked him to quote, "You know what true love is? Sacrifice." I think that means it was good.
@@squamish4244 They do? Yeesh. Prime Lithgow is Blow Out.
@@ricardocantoral7672 I first encountered Lithgow in Cliffhanger. I was like 14. He scared the bejeesus out of me. When I saw him in Third Rock later on, I was like, "This guy...can play that guy?" I know that's what an actor's job is, but it shows that to me anyway he gave a great performance.
Yep, Smokey and the Bandit is a good example also
about Cliffhanger, fuck yeah Ebert!! all the way!
I just loved this show -- wish the quality was better on the episodes -- after all this years -- they are still worth watching RIP
cliffhanger was probably stallones best movie since first blood
morgan8757 Roger's dead on re Cliffhanger. It is a really great action movie. I dont even like action movies.
and he followed that up with DEMOLITION MAN, another movie that is one of my favorites, that came out in the fall of the same year, it was a good year for him
I hated Cliffhanger. It was idiotic
@Caleb Mbala i'm neithier
@@mijreed Disagree.
Back in the 90s, when we used video stores, we would get the weekend movies on Friday night turn them in on Monday morn on the way to work. I saw hundreds of movies this way, and passed up thousands of movies left on the shelves. Cliffhanger was one of those. Never saw it.
Thank you so much for uploading these!
A mean spirited review from Siskel here. There’s nothing wrong with Stallone here at all. The story in Cliffhanger’s pretty solid to me. Simple but effective in how the opening scene’s trauma adds real vulnerability to the hero. The photography, the score and John Lithgow’s central villain all elevate the film even higher too.
The movie is mean spirited
An exceptionally grouchy review of Cliffhanger by Mr Siskel.
The first movie they review is called Cowboy and the Bear…Danny Mothers reviewed it.
they nailed that review of Menace 2 Society perfectly!
Yup.
@jonathanbirch2022 That's true
Man, I miss these two. Cliffhanger was rad on the big screen…never translated well to home video though.
'Gene, if I had more time I'd be happy to help you with this.'
Cliffhanger is a very underrated Stallone movie
whoa! I can't stop watching these video(s) i'm having a ball!😉👍
taking me back to my childhood
Menace II Society review. Hell yeah. Glad I fired this up. My favorite movie.
Cliffhanger is definitely an action classic in my books
Menace 2 society was Jada pickett's first motion feature film & it's a powerful film 👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟
I was pleasantly suprised with the two thumbs up for hot shots part deux.
I saw Cliffhanger in the theater on a date and *she* liked it. I patiently tried to, but it just did not click with me.
Why sir?
Never saw either Hot shots but I laughed at every one of these parodies in the preview
Cliffhanger is terrific entertainment and one of the best action thrillers ever made IMO!
I swear. . They hate every movie I loved growing up. . . Cliffhanger was great. . Great stunts, and John Lithgow was a great villain. . . Good for you Ebert.
I think this Stallone best action film since First blood. At that time. It is rollercoaster ride of a movie. Mountain scenes made me feel afraid of heights too.
First blood is a classic
Cliffhanger is amazing film
Made in America was comedy fluff but we don't always need a message or deep movie. Siskel was really off this episode and I usually agree with him. I saw Cliffhanger in the theater and the audience loved it.
Cliffhanger was great Gene is all over the place with his reviews off the mark here
These guys are such legends that made the reviewing of a film so entertaining. "Ted danson acts wasted & stiff " rofl.
Gene: There's no story
Roger: I don't care.
That's why I loved Roger. He was okay with a good mindless popcorn movie.
Yup.
Aww Gene. Sore through in '93 that never really went away....
honestly - i was thinking the same thing. In hindsight: if you look at his face, he appears to be suffering from more then just a sore throat. : (
He looks very ill.😥
gene likes rocky 5 but not this?
Rocky 5 sucked
I LOVED CLIFFHANGER
ed campion
I still love it
Oh man, they really get into it with Cliffhanger, this was rare
Siskel is shocked that a movie named Cliffhanger, a movie about climbing, is mostly about hanging off cliffs and climbing.
Not at all. He found the acting and plot bad. He's right.
Cliffhanger is a great movie(great action scenes ,but no script). I don't know if anybody feels the same way I do: John Lithgow is a great villain, but he is another actor Hollywood did not know what to do with after early successes.
Menace To Society is an excellent movie
Yup
The Long Day Closes touched my soul. I fuckin' love it.
This show was so much better when it was on PBS.
Siskel thought that every single movie had to be Citizen Kane in order to be worth watching. He was pretty ridiculous in that aspect, but fun to watch. RIP
Rocky 4 and 5 were not Citizen Kane.
14:18 "I liked it and yet, at the same time I have a strange feeling that this genre has reached the end of its reproductive cycle." I think this is one of Ebert's best predictions of all time. That genre really started to suck around that time.
What do you mean? The eighties and nineties was a golden age for action movies
@@Johnlindsey289 Not action movies, action movie spoofs.
No punches held back, despite Gene's ailment. Cliffhanger was definitely one of their most heated arguments on the show. Nice to see Richard Crenna with a sense of humor after his Rambo appearances. The cycle of the Airplane/Naked Gun-type comedies lasted thru one more Naked Gun movie and a couple of Scary Movies before fading away.
Cliffhanger is an action classic . Pure fun and entertaining .
I have to agree with Siskel about 'Cliffhanger' and the script. I was very disappointed and the film doesn't add up to much, despite impressive moments.
Numinous20111
Cliffhanger still destroys action movies of now.
I loved Cliffhanger!!
The acting is so ridiculously over the top.
Over the top acting? I think the acting was great
great movie
I feel sorry for anyone not seeing Cliffhanger based on Gene's advice.
He was very wrong about one of the best films of the 90s.
I've seen it. Outside of the opening, the film isn't much. Just a lame Die Hard knock off on a mountain.
Nothing lame about cliffhanger! It’s a classic in my books
@@Johnlindsey289 Then you don't watch many films.
@@ricardocantoral7672
Of course i do! and so do my two youtube friends Ocpcommunicationd and Ramboraph4life who are friends of mine on facebook and here on youtube as my 2 favorite critics as they are critics with a passion for movies
They have high standards like me
@@ricardocantoral7672 I don't think you do
How many action films have we seen where an innocent guy gets hijacked by a bunch of villains who've stolen a bunch of money? At this point, that's a standard plot. Your action movie then becomes less about story, and more about location and style. Death-defying heights! Breathtaking scenery! Beautiful photography! Skillful staging of scenes! A real sense of mortal danger! Cliffhanger has all of these, in spades. It's like what Roger always said: "When it comes to a movie, it's not about what it's about―it's about _how it's about it."_
Beautiful photography ? Pretty standard Hollywood camera work.
Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert knew that men and women had been having a traumatic year after watching the traumatic Sylvester Stallone suspense movie Cliffhanger.
I miss these guys and I enjoyed Gene Siskel...but these are some of the movies he gave a thumbs down to. A reminder not to take movie critics too seriously.
-Apocalypse Now
-Beverly Hills Cop
- Ferris Buellers Day Off
- The Terminator
- Hoosiers
-Field of Dreams
-Silence of the Lambs
- Cliffhanger
- Boogie Nights
- Casino
-Edward Scissorhands
taxi driver
Cliffhanger and Beverly Hills Cop sucks. The latter is only watchable because Eddie Murphy is funny but that doesn't mean the film is any good.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Everyone's a critic I guess.
@@STONESGAM Ebert was usually wrong about David Lynch.
You have an error there. Siskel gave thumbs up to Jurassic Park.
Dunno Gene... movies today make Cliffhanger look like Citizen Kane
‘Made in America’... man, I’ve actually seen that dog.
Cliffhanger has lots of action, but some outrageous over acting with testosterone being sprayed all over the place and a scenery chewing contest between Michael Rooker, Rex Lynn and John Lithgow.
Overacting ? I disagree I thought the performances were great and it’s a five star movie in my book and a classic
@@Johnlindsey289 That's your opinion and I'm fine that. Mine differs.
@@66kprdwd
At least i have standards in actual passion for movies especially my two favorite youtube critics Ocpcommunications and Ramboraph4life
Lithgow really hammed it up especially, but that's what made it an enjoyable popcorn action flick
Did Siskel have a sore throat or something?
Blake Johnson I think he may have been fighting a cold during this episode.
yes, yes, yes he mentioned that fact twice where you watching the video? 😦
sadly i think this might be related to the cancer salivary glands that he eventually died from.
@@qrste81 It was Ebert with the cancerous salivary glands. Siskel had a cancerous brain tumor and it was the after effects of a surgery that took his lide. I seriously just think he had a sore throat here.
This episode predicted will smith and jadas marriage
Way too often Siskel just didn't "get" certain movies!
Hahaha he says; "I wonder if most people will know that, "Deux," is French for, "Two," I don't know and who cares?" 😂
Man, Gene has Roger on the backfoot for most of the episode. Don't see that too often.
I'm gonna have to side with Siskel on this one, Cliffhanger was pure shit.
Not really it’s a classic
Dang!
“If I had more time I’d be happy to help you with this” might just become the de facto internet comment thread closer of our day.
Hey Cliffhanger that movie came out in 1993 that same I have was three when I didn't see that movie that was to violent for me when I was a child back then but I saw this when it was out on paper-view back then but I went with my parents to go see Jurassic park & Dennis the menace in that same year of 1993.
SHEENS AN ASSHOLE TURD DOCUEHEAD
Wow, I got a feeling Roger Ebert wanted to (physically) knock some scene into Gene Siskel over their Cliffhanger exchange.
Cliffhanger my first R rated movie I was nine
+funnyguy 7 mine was Creepshow which was also my first movie, lol
that's cool lol
+funnyguy 7 well that opening scene when he dropped her had to rattle you.
yes that was intense
what film scene was intense for you?
12:37 - really? French class in the US doesn't go as high as deux?
Cliffhanger is much better than Die Hard 2.
Same director lol
Cliffhanger blows. Die Hard 2 is superior but fails to be as compelling as it's predecessor.
@@ricardocantoral7672 I agree. I like the first Die Hard better than Die Hard 2. Die Hard With A Vengeance is the best one, in my opinion.
@@reneedennis2011 With a Vengeance is fun but it has none of the psychological torment that made that first film so thrilling.
@@ricardocantoral7672 True.
John Lithgow was awesome in "Cliffhanger".
Jada and Will on the same review show. Pretty cool
Siskel puts a bit too much weight in screenplay. Film is a visual medium. And there are so many elements and pieces that make up a movie. Screen okay is important. But if other elements are working while the screenplay lacks, you are still left with a experience that can entertain. Siskel didn’t like the story. It doesn’t mean it isn’t entertaining for people. In the end. That’s what a movie is a bout. Entertainment and escapism. Ebert always understood this.
Nia Long, now that is some tasty brown sugar
I sure miss these guys. ❤️
So do I.
Crushing Cliffhanger AND simultaneously praising Die Hard 2: There´s gotta be a "No but seriously"-part of Siskels review that somehow got cut and lost. This must be the April´s Fool version.
Cliffhanger was awesome. Could not figure why Siskel hated it so much? Seriously was Die Hard's
"story" that inspiring?
Every once in awhile these two would pretty much call each other racist for not liking a movie it's hilarious🤣🤣🤣
Shocking that ebert liked cliffhanger.
stephen s
Not really, it’s a fantastic action move
Look at the shit they call action movies in today’s era.. uggggh
Cliffhanger is really great on execution while not having the greatest scripts
I disagree I think the script is great and find nothing wrong with it
@@Johnlindsey289 There's nothing wrong as far it does what he should be as far as action/suspense. But I find the story quite unremarkable. They try to repeat a movie like Die Hard but without the great writing or great characters. Even the main villain seems to be a Hans Gruber wannabe but less interesting.
@@johnnyskinwalker4095
I disagree,, the villains are strong and charismatic in this movie and the script and story is good stuff! plus likable hero. i think this is a classic and even my two favorite youtube critics (better than pro critics) who are real people with an actual passion for movies praised this movie as their names are Ocpcommunications and Ramboraph4life and gave it five stars, even me. They have actual standards in movies like me and unlike pro critics
Cliffhanger is a masterpiece.
Cliffhanger was good until Stallone bench-pressed a bad guy into a stalactite. After that forget it.
Disagree that was an awesome scene
Back when you could live in Chicago
well that was intense
10:12 Siskels way off , Stallone in real life i think did most of his own climbing.
Yeah, climbing a fiber glass mountain on a sound stage.
@@ricardocantoral7672 Climbing in the Italian Alps.
But ten points for you because that was a funny line!
@@Dane_Youssef Similar to Clint Eastwood in The Eiger Sanction.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett in the same episode 🤯
4:19 Menace II Society
7:58 Cliffhanger
In 2018 CGI still has not caught up with real model sets even if they are miniatures.
"Meets Valeria Golino?" She was Sheen's love interest in the first Hot Shots!
'Til they meet again?
Cliffhanger is the definition of a pretty average premise, with meh characters, and meh dialogue being elevated by it's gorgeous cinematography. That alone makes it worth the watch for me. As an action flick it's also fun, but not special.
I disagree as would my two favorite TH-cam critics ocpcommunications and ramboraph4life would and it’s a classic
Gene may have gotten it right with Die Hard, but he got it wayyy wrong with Cliffhanger...
Both die hard and cliffhanger are classic movies
Gene really got it wrong with Cliffhanger but I disagree with Roger that there's no story. It has a basic story (bad guys want money, they kidnap one of the good guys and force him to help, Stallone's gotta rescue him) and the villains were made evil and ruthless enough that you wanted to see Stallone wipe them out. I'd even say that Michael Rooker's subplot was more interesting than Stallone's. You can call it derivative of Die Hard, but if you're gonna copy a movie, it makes sense to copy a good one.
I side with Siskel on this one. After the first sequence, I could care less.
Cliffhanger rules
Gene was dead right (for once) about Cliffhanger, it was dull as hell
Well, the scene with two planes and the cable between them was astounding.
Dull? It’s pure entertainment and nothing dull
Did Gene even like movies? If he hated this stuff he’d go crazy over what has happened to cinema today.
Roger Ebert once said that if Gene liked some things in a movie and not others, he usually wouldn't give the movie a positive review. I think it's fair to say that Roger was more likely to come up with a review where he'd basically say "some things in this movie worked for me, some didn't, but enough good things were here for me to give it a thumbs-up".
Gene loved Rocky 5, but did not like Cliffhanger. Well ok different kind of movies. But Rocky 5 was uninspiring, bland and boring. Cliffhanger was fun and entertaining.
So many odd opinions like Cliffhanger, I always find myself trying to figure out what the hell Gene Siskel is smoking
Does anyone wish Siskel and Ebert was just Ebert. 😂 Siskel is wrong so often it’s unreal, you’d be better off flipping a coin, at least that’s right 50% of the time.