Highlander (Director's Cut)
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Actor: Anthony Fusco, Beatie Edney, Christopher Lambert, Clancy Brown, Sean ConneryBrand: Lions Gate
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); French (Dubbed)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 116 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-06
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Reviews of Highlander (Director's Cut)
DVD Review: There really is only one!
Summary: 4 Stars
For the longest time, I really didn't give too much thought about the Highlander film series. I was never interested or disinterested in the movies, I just knew that I didn't care about them either way. When I was younger, I always was into other films that didn't cast so much as a shadow into the genre of swords and sorcery. Especially ones that delt with multiple time periods and the "fish out of water" theme that actually becomes half the appeal of a movie such as this. Sure, I could get into the Conan The Barbarian films okay enough, but I think having Arnold Schwarzenegger as the main character really helped bridge that gap for a lot of people. After all, he was "The Terminator" and most of his movies are considered classics by many, no matter what the theme is.
But when it came down to the Highlander films (in the scheme of fantasy movies), I had no opinion. I remember hearing people talk about the film passionately and I would think to myself, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever." I didn't care. It didn't matter to me and I didn't give it so much as a second thought. My mind was already made up. The way I saw it, there were better things I could be spending my time watching. I was too busy renting films like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE or FRIDAY THE 13TH to pay attention to anything involving Highlander. I can imagine that a lot of other people felt the same way.
Then one day, I happend to actually watch the movie. Considering I'm very much into the dark and gritty films of 1980's, I don't know how I could have missed this one! Had I known then that this movie would become one of my favorite movies of all time, I would have watched it much sooner. I think one of the biggest deterrents for me (as might be the same for others) at the time was the extravagant and "epic" mentality that the Highlander series carried with it. Without ever watching the movie, I already knew that I disliked it for all the obvious reasons that most people would blatantly dislike it for. After all, it's not very hard to see why someone dislikes something. Hating always comes easier than enjoying.
But the Highlander movie turned out to be everything that I was into cinematography for and more. From the dark and rainy city streets to the ancient time jumping immortality of Connor MacLeod, Highlander seemingly has it all. By all means, this is a true 80's fantasy, "Grindhouse" epic. Also, the soundtrack was entirely done by Queen and it's killer! All of these elements put together make one amazing recipe for an enjoyable, action based 1980's dark fantasy film.
The basic story follows Connor MacLeod and his adventures through the many time frames as the immortal Highlander. He's not the only one however. Other Highlanders exist and they're constantly hunting down more, in order to decapitate their challenger and gain the ultimate prize! That prize? Well, after chopping off their head, the winning Highlander gains the victim's essence and powers. Thus, perpetuating their own immortality. It's a simple plot that is easy enough to follow and doesn't need to be any more complex.
Christopher Lambert is a joy to watch as usual and it's great to see him in one of his earlier title film roles. As the viewer watches the movie, it's hard to deny the unfolding gritty "drama" that is Connor MacLeod's seemingly endless life cycle. We watch him as he passes through the ages and times, training with Juan Sanchez Villa Lobos Ramirez (played by the always amazing Sean Connery) and eventually leading to his present situation, modern day 1980's New York. It's an amazingly simple, yet engaging story that comes together nicely thanks to all the key players. The villain of the movie is played by Clancy Brown (Pet Sematary II) and he's yet another wonderful addition to this film, pulling all the right elements together and making an enjoyable experience over all.
Sure, it sounds like I'm praising the movie a lot but that doesn't mean it isn't without it's faults. Like any other form of art, there are going to be things that people find they like or dislike. After all the years of denying the Highlander series myself, I can say that I understand why this movie isn't for everyone. For one thing, the constant time shifting might turn some people off. When these scenes happen, they're executed with a 1980's sense of self wonder that some people might just find to be down right annoying. Connor MacLeod and his clan are ushered into scenes of the past with great symphonic gusto. Scenes like that might grate on some peoples nerves because it isn't what they're into. I would imagine it's the same type of annoyance people get when they see a Hobbit doing an annoying little Shire jig, dancing all around like a little Elf. Or maybe its like when people see some cheesey little puppet creature in a fantasy movie acting silly. It just bothers some people.
Also, the action isn't anywhere near todays standards. Sword fights are a little slow at times and it becomes obvious that the actors are going through the required steps it takes to pull off a fight scene. It has nothing to do with the desire of the actors but rather the time period the movie was made.
In the end the good outweighs the bad for Highlander. Fans of dark, gritty, surreal, 1980's fantasy have much to enjoy here. The camera angles are interesting and the lighting keeps things gloomy during the New York scenes. Queen's Hard Rock soundtrack adds to the over all sharp edge of the movie. It pulls together a rather comic book / Heavy Metal Magazine vibe and executes it successfully into live action.
Gore wise, it might entertain some. Heads are lopped off with huge bloody swords and other acts of stabbing violence ensues throughout, although it might not be enough for Gore Hounds. Personally speaking, the movie doesn't need buckets of blood to be enjoyable. The dark subject matter and gritty performances should be enough for any hard boiled fan of true Grindhouse. If anyone is planning on being a "tough guy" (or at least planning on watching tough guy movies), I think HIGHLANDER should be one of them. In my opinion it ranks up there with ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, LETHAL WEAPON, ROBOCOP, DIEHARD and RAMBO. Connor MacLeod has officially joined the ranks of "all time tough guys" if you ask me.
Over all, this film isn't for everyone. Some might be annoyed by it. Some might not care enough to devote their attention to it. Whatever the reason is, HIGHLANDER isn't for everybody. I know people who love these movies and I know people who despise them. In the end, the question is, what do you want out of a movie? In terms of 1980's, fantasy, Hard Rock "fish out of water" epics, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!
Over and out.
Description of Highlander (Director's Cut)
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