Highlander

Rating:
Summary: one of the best movies ever
Review: the only reason why this film looks cheap is its extremely low budget(though that doesn't excuse the poor quality of the dvd). taking that into consideration its surprising that an actor like Sean Connery would appear in this film, certainly not for the money. the only logical conclusion to all you fans of Connery who hate highlander is maybe Connery actually *gasp* liked the script, dont forget you are not sean connery so stop trying to pretend you are.dont be fooled by the chessy begining this movie rocks!!!!! Lambert is fantastic considering he had to fake an accent that doesn't even exist (thats right the accent is a mixture of scottish and several other accents) Connery is mind boggling, the action is great aside from annoying sound editing and the first scene which is coreographed very poorly. the songs by queen are little bit behind my time (actually this whole film is) and aren't particulary all that great, the special effects are good for a low budget 80's film. Any self-respecting fantasy buff should love this movie but don't watch the second one.

Rating:
Summary: The One and Only
Review: Yes, ladies and gentlemen, yet another bigger, more expensive edition of Highlander is on DVD. Highlander: That ridiculous over-the-top blending of sword and sorcerer fantasy and science fiction with a modern day action film that featured Christopher Lambert and rub-your-doubting-eyes-all-you-want-it's-really-Connery, Sean Connery. Connery is only a supporting player in the film, but the fun he seems to be having is not only utterly infectious it also injects the film with the needed charisma and energy it needs to make the goofy thing worth watching.

Highlander makes little logical sense, but tries to pretend it does with various conflicting explanations that never cover plot holes or explain why competitors would be so helpful and friendly with one another if they knew they might have to face each other in a duel to the death.... But never mind logic.. this is action packed pick out the continuity errors-fun isn't it?

UCLA student Gregory Widen (who went on to write and direct Prophecy and was one of the writers of Backdraft) wrote Highlander, as his senior thesis and attempted to create a fantastical legend about a chosen group of immortals who walk the earth for centuries, preparing for duel to the death sword battles with each other. Mostly set in 1986, it offers the impressive spectacle of swashbuckling sword fights taking place in parking garages, modern streets and rooftops all cut like music videos. There's a couple of flashbacks to merry old England and the Scottish Highlands that are done quite well (yes, that's the same castle used here that's used in Monty Python and the Holy Grail).

My favorite sequence is still the wild ride Kurgan (Clancy Brown) takes Roxane Hart on toward the end of the film. Crazed, evil Clancy is immortal and enjoys terrorizing mortals, driving fast, and causing mayhem. He grabs the film's ingénue and takes her on a wild ride right over poor Mr. Toad that is a pure visceral shot of cinematic adrenalin.

What keeps Highlander enjoyable and explains it's popular loyal cult following is it's matter of fact, somehow this makes sense, don't try to figure out, we're not completely serious tone. It winds up being a very silly, violent, action packed ride. It's not outwardly campy and tongue-in-cheek (except when Brown or Connery are on screen). It's directed and edited like a music video which wasn't the case with every other movie back when this was made by Rusell Mulcahy (who had directed many music videos). The normally dull and wooden Lambert comes across much better than say a heavily accented Chuck Norris, Van Damme type action hero usually does, simply because the film doesn't linger on him a moment longer than it has to. Just when the film starts sagging big time, Sean Connery arrives on the scene playing the kind of high energy Errol Flynn you've always wanted him to play. Things get down-right cartoonish with the proper introduction of an over-the-top bad attitude, bad guy Kurgan (Brown). Suddenly the film feels like a WWF extravaganza with swords instead of folding chairs. And so it goes.

Yes, Highlander is a guilty pleasure film. It's fun, if you let it be. It's got exciting visuals. The sequels are awful, the t.v. series better than you'd think, but the first movie
is well... the One.

Highlander also features three mediocre Queen Songs that are so incongruent and wrong for the film... they fit perfectly.

IMAGE AND SOUND

Highlander was originally thrown onto the marketplace in a Republic DVD release that was one of the worst DVDs ever released. A restored director's cut version was later produced which added about ten minutes of footage to the film, and then came an improved re-mastered version. Previous (to 2002) Anchor Bay releases have been discontinued. This new edition features an Anamorphic widescreen presentation which is superior to former editions. The film was not made on a huge budget and has a slightly softer focus than the crisp images newer films have, but there were all these filters and smoke and various lighting effects going on and then effects were added via computer 1980's style. You won't find much artifacting and the black levels are stronger, but details in the shadows are still lost and some of the darker scenes look pretty muddy.

The audio is where Anchor Bay has gone crazy making a new DD EX mix AND a six-channel DTS mix. Lots of use of the various channels during action sequences. For all the noise and flash the dialogue remains clear and easy to hear. When the film isn't being bombastic and over the top, it's way too quiet and the sudden jumps might be annoying and sound very shrill to the uninitiated. More sensitive viewers will want to have the remote nearby to monitor the volume control. To those knowing it's a cheesy, campy film, this loud re-mix is perfect for the film.

Extra Features:

Well the extras for the ...IMMORTAL package consist of the metal slipcase, a 24 page booklet of production notes and an additional disc that has three Queen songs (Princes of the Universe, One Year of Love and Friends will be Friends). Oh you also get three Queen videos and a couple of mediocre still galleries as well.

If you're a Highlander film fanatic AND a big fan of Queen, it might be worth getting this special collectors package. Otherwise the other Highlander DVD will satisfy you just fine.

Incidentally the interesting Queen version of New York, New York (form the film) remains the only known unreleased Queen song. It is not on the bonus C.D. of this package.
Rating:
Summary: THIS CAN BE THE ONLY ONE
Review: Highlander - The Immortal Edition rocks!... In addition to the director's cut of the original movie (which is the best of the 4 - duh), you also get 3 Queen music videos (2 directed by Mulcahy himself) and a companion CD of Queen music (unfortunately containing only 3 songs). What better way to experience Highlander? A note to Queen fans : the 3 music videos presented here (Who Wants To Live Forever, A Kind Of Magic, and Princes Of The Universe) are not on the recently released Queen/Greatest Video Hits 1/The DVD Collection.

Rating:
Summary: Great Job to Highlander Producers!
Review: I must say that when I saw this, I had to get it! I mean, it's got videos, at least one featuring Christopher Lambert, and they are really great. Plus you have the truely full length feature as well as all the other goodies. Two discs, but really worth it for any and all Highlander fans. A big pat on the back to all the Crew of Highlander, including Cast :)

BB-T

Rating:
Summary: Make sure you get the digitially remastered version
Review: Attention: Amazon.com has switched this review to the wrong product. This is not a review of the Immortal Edition of this movie! It is a review of the THX version of the original release.

As many reviewers have already pointed out the DVD transfer on the original DVD release of this movie was very poor. The good news is that a new budget priced digitally remastered DVD edition is available (not the Immortal edition, although that is also available now at higher cost). Look for the notice on the front cover of the DVD case (click the larger image link on Amazon.com to see it). It states that both the audio and video have been digitally remastered and that it is THX certified. I picked up a copy off the bargain rack at my local Kmart last week and watched it yesterday. The picture and audio, which includes Dolby 5.1 and DTS, are both superb. No more rotten DVDs!

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, low quality.
Review: This is a good action scifi. Lots of action and the story has a good flow. However, the picture quality is poor. I expect better from a DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Review: Beautiful direction, a unique storyline, and an outstanding cast have always made this movie a favorite of mine. Russell Mulcahy did a fabulous job with this film, bringing viewers gorgeous scenes from Scotland, and even dredging up beauty in New York City. We follow the immortal life of Connor MacLeod, from his "first" life in 16th century Scotland, through the discovery of his gifts (with help from Sean Connery,) and into modern life. There are scenes in this cut which weren't in the original release, including a scene from World War II, where we discover something important about a person close to Connor. Mulcahy flashes backward and forward in time, but it's not disorienting or annoying in the slightest - he weaves the lines of the story together with amazing skill.
The Queen soundtrack is outstanding, and Freddie Mercury's angelic voice singing "Who Wants to Live Forever" contributes a great deal to what I consider one of the most poignant moments in film, ever.

Clancy Brown is, naturally, a truly sinister presence throughout the movie, pulling his role off without venturing too far over the "overacting his part" line, which is difficult to do with such an over-the-top character. Christopher Lambert is a soft-spoken, refined tough guy, and carries himself well throughout the story.
It's tragic that the second movie was such an abysmal piece of junk, but this one...this one is priceless; not to be cute, but maybe there should have been only one. The attention to detail is remarkable (they even got the MacLeod tartan right - or so it looks without reeeeeally close inspection.) Have I mentioned that this film is *beautiful*? Just checking.

The DVD is not overwhelming; very few extras, including Queen videos and not much else, alas. The director's cut is an interesting change from the original, but there isn't a huge amount of difference - a few things dropped, a few things added, only one of which was of remarkable interest.

If you haven't seen this movie, you simply must - if you have seen it, and you enjoyed it, having it around the house to throw in whenever you feel like revisiting the great story is very handy. Most recommended!

Rating:
Summary: THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONLY ONE AND THIS IS IT!
Review: This, the first movie of the whole Highlander saga is one of my favourite movies simply because of it's originality and style. True, the Highlander franchise is knocked quite a bit because of the ridiculous and confusing sequels, along with a rather contradictory tv series. However, no one can say that the idea of Highlander is a copy of something else(i.e a copy of something more successful), it definetely stands on it's own. I just think that things messed up more and more after every sequel, they simply didn't continue after each other like they should have and the arrival of the tv series probably made things worse rather than better. Though I can't comment too much on the series, the fact is that Connor Macleod(Christopher Lambert) was apparently the last immortal, he was the one and he claimed the prize. Then theres another Macleod and much more immortals around in the series. I know there are sometimes different laws for movie tv spin-offs, but it just didn't help that the movie's sequels seemed to have their own laws as well i.e H2 being set in the future and immortals being aliens,H3 being set in the present again and the latest one only having a slight connection with the original movie, totally ignoring 2 and 3 and bringing the tv series cast along for the ride. Though at the end of the day, they all simply ignore each other, thus causing a lot of head scratching for the viewer. Therefore, my point is that they should have left Highlander as a stand alone movie, without any sequels or any tv series. In my opinion, the first movie is unique and probably would have been much more unique had it been left alone. True it is a rather dated feature film now, but I can't help thinking that this movie would have been much more respected and even more popular had it been left at one movie and without all the silly, confusing sequels. The producers should have followed their well known catchphrase, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

Rating:
Summary: There CAN Only Be One...
Review: I am reviewing the Director's Cut of this DVD. The film his added scenes, and greatly enhanced surround sound (very muy bueno). Don't bother with the Immortal Editon. It has nothing to offer.

So here we go. The 16th century collides with modern day. Good vs Evil, with immortals. Could it get any better!!! The cinetography is superb in its darkness, the soundtrack is great (Queen), and the editing is tight. There is enough swordplay between the Immortals to keep a samurai glued to the screen.

When this film came out, it was the cutting edge of sci-fi/ incorporated rock sound track. Christopher Lambert burst into this film as a soft-eyed hero, and there is immediate empathy to the character. He plays a Scot from the 16th century who discovers he is immortal. Unfortunately, the rest of the immortals are trying to kill each other for `The Prize', which is undisclosed until the final moments of the film. Throughout the movie, you `feel' his sadness at being immortal, and outliving those he loved. Unfortunately Lambert accepted roles in too many B films later on. But I still like the guy.

The film does a great job of connecting modern day events to the past with flashbacks, ending a New York scene with a rise in the camera angle into ancient Scotland as if you are on an elevator emerging from the earth. Very nice touch, an effect I have yet to see since. The Scottish clan battles set in the 16th century are pre-Braveheart, yet realistic. In the DVD I have, there are replaced scenes of `McCloud episodes' through history.

Along with fairly decent (for the time) special effects, you have a most excellent villian in The Kurgan (Clancy Brown...and where did HE go). He plays the role with virve, and a bit of humor (modern day, he kills another immortal, stabs a vigillante, and steals a car. In the car is an old woman. He calmly turns to her and says "MOM?"...singing `New York New York after he kidnaps the heroine...)) His role is so impressive, in a way, you he steals the movie.

A nice treat is Sean Connery as another immortal who trains Connor McCloud in the art od swordsmanship (which, by the way, was actually played by the actors, and very well choreographed). Bad part is he plays a 16th century Spaniard, who is actually Egyptian, and has a British accent. Still, he adds a very real touch of class even though he is only in the film for fifteen minutes.

There isn't a better example of Good vs Evil in a sci-film (okay, maybe The Matrix). Like my other reviews, I refuse to ruin the movie or the ending with an easy give-away. (okay, the final scenes are SUPERB swordplay and the hero wins...sorry. had to do it).

As to the soundtrack. You can't beat Queen for feeling and being in touch with the scene. There isn't a soul who has seen this film who cannot feel the pain and agony of loss (set 16th century Scotland) as Connor McCloud's wife, Blossom, grows old and dies to Queen's `Who Wants To live Forever'.

You who have seen this film will want the Director's Cut. You who haven't, well, trust me, you'll want it too.

Rating:
Summary: Comme c'est domage!
Review: First, I am really fond of this movie. But, each iteration of DVD has been hugely disappointing. The wit and imagination that crafted the movie in the first place is nowhere in the minds of the people doing the DVDs.

For instance, the opening scene (in Madison Sqr Garden) originally piqued your curiosity by showing a fight scene that is surprising (to say the least) for the time and setting... but in this new Immortal Edition, they've spliced in scenes from 16th Century Scotland BEFORE the parking garage fight even begins. What could they have been thinking?

Worst of all is the technical quality of the DVD: the video transfer is mediocre at its best; the sound is worse, with volume and clarity fluctuating all over the place; and the subtitles - are simply MISSING for most of the dialog.

Like the other digital versions of this movie, the Immortal is a half-hearted and half-witted effort! If you like this film, as I do, buy the VHS version, and keep hoping the owners/producers eventually join the digital age.