Rating: 
Summary: what were they smoking?
Review: This movie was just terrible. This is definitly down there with...uhhh..., WELL, who am I kidding, this IS the worst film of all time. I cannot stress this enough! The direction was bad, the acting was worse, and the plot, if there was one, made no sense AT ALL! As far I'm concerned with the Highlander series, this film never existed.
Rating: 
Summary: Connor MacLeod in a Sophomore Slump
Review: "Oh No....Not Again"That quote by Connor MacLeod (and a certain hitch-hiking Douglas Adams) is what Highlander fans said when "Highlander 2: The Quickening" was originally released in the theatres. You see the Director (Russell Malcahy) and Producers (Bill Panzer & Peter Davis) for some stupid reason were not given "final cut" for this film, As a result the theatre version of Highlander 2 left fans of the Highlander Mythos confused and screaming "Huh?". Thus the need for the "Renegade Version". This whole situation confused me when I first noticed two different versions on VHS. But after watching the DVD and reading about the corrections and re-editing I understood. The plot as it stands now. Christopher Lambert returns as Connor MacLeod and Sean Connery Returns as Ramirez, Virginia Madsen plays the love interest Louise Marcus, and Michael Ironside as Katana does what he does best, playing the bad guy. The year is 2024 Connor is now an old man, who 25 years ago because of a severely damaged ozone layer, helped create an electromagnetic shield that protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation. Now there is some question as to the necessity of the shield. That plot device I could have done without. Moving along, in some re-edited footage it's explained that the race that the Immortals are a part of are from a very long time ago (the original theatre version made them aliens from the planet Zeist) and as a form of punishment banish those of their number who are inflicted with Immortality to the future where they must battle each other. To make a long story short Katana follows MacLeod into the future etc... etc... It seems that Connery has most of the comical scenes, from Hamlet to his first airplane ride. OK now what I liked and didn't like. I said before I didn't like the plot point of the radiation shield, I think it was just an excuse to make some scenes very dark. It does, however get Louise involved in the whole mess, it's a rather major point I guess, oh well. Since this DVD was released as a Republic Pictures "WIDESCREEN" version it has the THX digital sound cool, and very good if often dark picture. The booklet is a godsend concerning the reasons for this "Renegade" Version, Instead of a trailer there is a behind-the-scenes featurette, both good and bad. Audio commentary by the Director and Producers, OK. Choice of English or Spanish, cool. A turbo "Slide Show" with photos, bios, background info. etc...Bad. A cheesy 9 Chapter scene search, fortunately by using the scene list in the booklet you can enter individual scenes remotely, if your DVD player/remote is so equiped. So when all is said and done, ten out of ten for style but minus several billion for bad packaging or in our star system I give "Highlander 2: Renegade Version" a 3 for picture and a 5 for sound.
Rating: 
Summary: Citizen Connor
Review: Actor's actor Christopher Lambert (Lam-BERR) returns to the screen, reprising his role as Connor MacLeod in this glorious sequel to 1986's abysmal failure, Highlander. This film exceeds its predecessor in every conceivable way and I, personally, don't believe a better movie to have been made since. Highlander 2 does so much to fill in the plotholes found within the original film, primarily with regards to Immortals. For example, the theatrical release of the film tells the audience early on of a revolution on Planet Zeist, a distant desert world peopled entirely by immortals. Said rebels are banished to Earth by the wicked (in every sense) General Katana, where they are forced to fight each other to the death with swords until only one remains. Finally, a plausible explanation! Who could ask for more? Apparently the director could, because he re-cut and re-released the film as the "Renegade Version," thus doing the impossible: making the movie EVEN BETTER! Say 'so long' to Planet Zeist (though I was sad to see it go), because Immortals are really from "A Very Long Time Ago!" The war took place on Earth, and all the immortals involved were banished to The Future! One film; two genius storylines. But it's not just in the past that the film excels - much of it takes place in the future. The year is 2024, and the planet has spent the past 25 years under a giant orange and red (and beautifully CG'ed) shield, erected by none other than Connor MacLeod to defend against the effects of the failing o-zone layer. This can't help but remind viewers of Orwell's 1984: a very likely vision of the future with too liberal of a timeline. The film is truly visionary in this regard. Don't think that the film's critical acclaim and widespread fanbase exist solely because of the plot, however; the actors may have a hand in that as well. Like I've stated, Christopher Lambert (recently seen in the outstanding futuristic adaptation of Beowulf) returns as cinematic icon Connor MacLeod, where he gives the performance of his career, especially as an aged Connor at the film's start, where he gets to ride a hoverboard. Lambert doesn't carry the entire weight of this movie on his shoulders, however. He is rejoined by Juan Sanchez Vila Lobos Ramirez, once again played by Sean Connery. Ramirez' entrance into the film is nothing short of a marvel of both writing and effects, and Connery's portrayal of Ramirez as a "fish out of water," a man outside of his own time, was remarkably believable. Even the sub-mediocre Michael Ironside managed an excellent performance as the sickeningly great General Katana. When you kill an entire train full of people by doing nothing more than driving it really fast, acting skills don't matter. To say that this film is a masterpiece would be an understatement. It truly deserves a place among Hollywood's Finest. If it's true that "there can be only one," Highlander 2. is it. Come to think of it, only one thing could have possibly made it better: Mario Van Peebles.
Rating:
Summary: SPECIAL EDITION?!?!?!?! You've got to be kidding...
Review: First we got the re-edited "Renegade Version" which did absolutely nothing to improve this abominable sequel. Now they are "re-imagining" it with over 100 new visual effects shots!??!?!? Are they THAT DESPERATE?!?!?! We get THIS instead of the Richard Donner cut of Superman II?!?!?!? NOTHING and I mean NOTHING can redeem this film from being one of the worst sequels in film history. Why bother trying to polish a diamond out of a turd?
Rating:
Summary: Still sucks after all those versions.
Review: Heh. Guess what? The theatrical version was bad and made no sense, but this "Renegade Version", making SLIGHTLY more sense, is equally bad - AND longer. Do not waste your time and money, dude. You'll miss it later. Word.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Highlander 2 is a magnificent compilation of fine acting and kick ass special effects. It is a must own for the hard core Highlander fan or even for the casual fan. I highly recomend it. Hawk34
Rating:
Summary: Worst. Movie. Ever.
Review: I can't really say much more than "This is the worst movie ever conceived by the mind of man." I've never been so amazed at such a pathetic plot, horrid FX, weak acting, contrived fighting scenes, and so on. I guess this could have some redeeming value if an aspiring director/screenwriter watched it as an example of what not to do. There IS one way to make the movie perfect, however: add in the Mystery Science 3000 guys. They'd have a field day! (And BTW, this is a review of the "Renegade" version. If this is better, I fel sorry for the poor sap who saw "The Quickening" version :P )
Rating:
Summary: The complete ruination of the Highlander mythos!
Review: I hate this movie. I mean, I really, really hate it. Highlander 2, in any form, is an abomination that should be shunned by any Highlander fan. It took a perfect premise and moronically explained away all of the cool aspects of the mythological and ambiguous story line. The immortals come from another planet! WTF!!!! Why did the makers of this movie do such a thing? It is completely idiotic and offers nothing to the plot.
I loved the first movie. It was a fantastic story full of great inventiveness and character, and it didn't need ridiculous explanations for the inexplicable things we were seeing. It allowed are imaginations to run wild with the concept of immortal beings battling to the last.
The second sequel, Highlander the Final Dimension, tried to capture some of the orginal's appeal but by then it was too late, and besides the first movie is really the ending. By its own laws, and my opinion, nothing should have occurred after the original Highlander.
Avoid Highlander 2 at all costs. (I wish I could give it a lower rating than one star).
Rating:
Summary: DO NOT buy this!!!
Review: I wish I could think of something positive about this...but I CAN'T!!! It Sucks BIG time!!!
Ok, cast your mind back to Highlander 1...Connor Mcleod, born into a scottish highland family & eventually forced into exile as his relatives don't understand his mortality.
Well it turns out he's not scottish, but an alien!!?? from the planet Ziest!??
Ok, if anyone still reading this hasn't lost the will to live I'll carry on. Actually, is there any point? Look, connor mcleod has to save the earth from a gigantic shield that's covering the earth & causing major global warming, but by the time you realise this you'd be happy if the whole damn planet got fried its that bad!
I'm sorry, but just reviewing this movie is getting me depressed, I'll sign off now, if I can find my copy of scarface I'll be happy, otherwise I'm off to slit my wrists...bye!
Rating:
Summary: Love the Highlander
Review: It was great to have Sean Connery back for this movie. I love the Highlander movies and especially the series. Be sure to see this one. There can only be one!
|
