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DVD Highlander - Endgame
Despite a typically haphazard plot, Highlander: Endgame is a marked improvement over previous sequels. This is the "torch-passing" chapter, in which the Immortal Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) passes his life force to his heroic brother, Duncan (Adrian Paul, star of the 1993-96 Highlander TV series). These appealing stars make a fine onscreen duo, and Paul is a terrific choice to keep the franchise alive--strikingly handsome but possessing enough gravitas to make the prospect of future sequels unexpectedly promising. The movie is incoherent to the uninitiated, but established fans will be reasonably impressed by Endgame's cagey mix of romance, swordplay, and history-spanning action. While the movie's chaotic construction is regrettable, the frequent battles (including dazzling work by Honk Kong action star Donnie Yen) are adequately impressive, and Douglas Milsome--cinematographer of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket--ensures that every scene is strikingly photographed. All in all, Highlander: Endgame is surprisingly worthwhile. --Jeff Shannon
Two Immortal Brothers...In The End, There Can Be Only One...
After the release of what at the time was believed to have been the final 'Highlander' film with "Highlander: The Final Dimension". The only way fans of the film series were able to get their Immortal fix was by tuning in to the popular syndicated "Highlander" TV series starring Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod, a cousin of Connor MacLeod's from the films. The series took the basic mythology of the original film and the sequels that followed, and continued to build a world around the Immortals and their 'Game', where as the prophecy states, "In the end, there can be only one." Then the TV series ended, and led into a less popular spin-off series that lasted one season, "Highlander: The Raven". Fans of the franchise were wondering if ever the films and TV series would collide, so we could see both Connor and Duncan together again (the last time the two cousins were together was in the pilot episode for the "Highlander" TV series). In 2000, 6 years after the release of "Highlander: The Final Dimension" fans got exactly what they wished for as "Highlander: Endgame" was released nationwide to theaters.
"Highlander: Endgame" picks up sometime after the events of the 3rd film, or some fans choose to believe that it ignores the previous 2 sequels completely, therefore picking up sometime after the original film, "Highlander". Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert, who played Connor in all of the 'Highlander' films and in the pilot episode of the TV series) is growing weary of the 'Game', and chooses to take refuge in a monastery set up by the 'Watchers to ensure that there will always be at least 2 Immortals so the 'Prize' may never be claimed. Now, a new, evil and powerful Immortal has arrived and has raised a team of renegade Immortals who really have no desire to win the 'Prize', but merely to kill. The leader of the renegade faction of Immortals is a man named Jacob Kell (Bruce Payne), a man that has a vendetta to settle with Connor from their past in Scotland. With this new group of Immortals shaking things up, Connor must try to defeat his old nemesis, but he can't do it alone, so Connor enlists the aid of his cousin, Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul, who played Duncan in the TV series). Together, these 2 cousins, who are as close as brothers, must try to restore balance to the 'Game', and bring down the most ruthless Immortal to ever live. However, no matter who wins, "In the end, there can be only one."
After this film was released many felt it was the first sequel to ever truly do justice to the groundwork mythology that was laid in the original film. While others felt that it was just an extended episode of the TV series, or that the film should have just focused either on Connor or Duncan, not on both of them. Then of course we had those that felt the entire movie was just one big waste of time, and that they should have just let the series die after the 3rd film. Personally, I enjoyed this movie, and I liked that they linked the TV series and the movies together, it made for a more believable franchise, in which all facets of the franchise were linked in some way to one another. The acting was well done, the story was good for bridging the gap between the films and the TV series. The only complaint I have regarding this movie is that they probably waited too long to make the film, because Christopher Lambert just didn't quite look as good as Connor as he had in previous films. Of course, that happens when an actor is playing a character that is supposed to never age, but the series of films lasts for over 14 years. But even with that gripe, Christopher still did a great job as Connor, and was still believable in the fight scenes. I thought this movie was very well done, and served as a nice end to tie up any loose ends from both the films and the TV series.
If you are a fan of the 'Highlander' films or the TV series, then this movie is for you, it will definitely satisfy your nagging need for some closure regarding your favorite Immortals.
"Highlander: Endgame" is rated R for violence, language, and sexuality/nudity.
Why did Connor age so much? IT'S A MOVIE!
That's why Connor is looking old. He may be immortal. Christopher Lambert, however, is not. It's the same thing in Star Trek: The Next Generation with Data/Brent Spiner.
Anyway.
I went to see Highlander Endgame opening day in the theater back in 2000. Unlike most people, however, I really enjoyed the film. While it's certainly not the greatest story ever put to film (heck, it's not even the greatest Highlander story), it was nevertheless highly entertaining, in my opinion.
Adrian Paul was, as always, excellent as Duncan.
Christopher Lambert (despite his not being immortal in real life, therefore aging) was still believable as Connor.
Bruce Payne played, in my mind, the most believable of the villains in these films (motivationally speaking), Jacob Kell.
Lisa Barbuscia was gorgeous as Kate/Faith, the woman from Duncan's distant past.
For those who've not seen it yet, Highlander: Endgame is essentially a combination of the Highlander film series with the television series. The story revolves around people from Duncan's and Connor's pasts who are seeking revenge in the present for wrongs committed upon them by Duncan and Connor in the past.
While some established bits of continuity from the past films and tv series don't match up quite right in this film (but then, what does in any Highlander title past the first film which was clearly intended to be a stand-alone story, given its ending), such as Duncan apparently having been established as having never married, I find the errors easy to ignore (though that may be because unlike some fans, I don't know every small little detail about the Highlander universe).
If you're looking for the best Highlander has to offer, check out either the first movie or the tv series.
If you just want to be entertained, this film offers pretty much everything you've come to expect from Highlander. It's got immortals, sword battles, flashbacks, love, death, sex, insane villains, plus a dash of Joe and Methos for flavor. Oh, and did I mention that Donnie Yen is in it, for all you martial arts movie geeks like me?
Why did they purposely age Connor so much? He is immortal
Ok they did a pretty decent job of bringing the movie Highlander back together with TV Highlander. The two met for the initial episode of the TV series but that was it. Also they did a great job of erasing Highlander 2 and 3 from existence.
The storyline isn't too bad. Connor has basically given up on life and has entered into a Watchers' sanctuary. This was designed by them so there would never be only one. Connor's past catches up on him and the sanctuary is no more. Duncan pursues Connor's disappearance and finds himself wrapped up in the same problem. Together they must fight an immortal that is much stronger than either of them.
As Highlander fans you need to be a little forgiving for this movie to work. It definitely leaves the door open to future sequels as well. My major beef with this movie is they make Connor look old, I mean really old. You can argue his worries make him look old but I don't buy it. They did nothing to counteract the natural human aging process, and in fact purposely made him look older. Christopher Lambert does not naturally look as old as they make him appear in this movie. I could have given this a 4 but the age thing bothered me too much.
This 1986 fantasy/action thriller has since spawned two sequels, a popular syndicated TV series, numerous comic-book spinoffs, and a loyal (if somewhat oddly obsessive) following of fans. Directed by music video veteran Russell Mulcahy (which explains the dizzying camera work), the original theatrical release made hash of an intriguing story about an "Immortal" from 16th-century Scotland (Christopher Lambert) who time-leaps to modern-day America with his archenemy (Clancy Brown) in hot pursuit. It becomes a battle to the death (yes, Immortals can die), and Lambert seeks survival training from an Immortal mentor played by Sean Connery. Dazzling, energetic, and altogether confusing in its original form, the film has since been released on video, laserdisc, and DVD in this revised widescreen... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Christopher Lambert - Clancy Brown - Sean Connery Director(s): Russell Mulcahy DVD Release Date: Released the 16 April 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Theatrically released in 1991 as Highlander II: The Quickening, this sequel was later reedited and gained a small but loyal following (prompting a spinoff TV series), but at the time of its release critic Roger Ebert called it "the most hilariously incomprehensible movie ... almost awesome in its badness." In other words, you might find some guilty pleasure in this chaotic sequel to 1986's Highlander, in which Christopher Lambert reprises his role as Connor MacLeod, a member of the alien race known as "Immortals," banished to Earth from his home planet Zeist some 500 years ago. In the year 1999, Lambert owns a corporation that has created a shield to protect the Earth following the depletion of the ozone layer. But the shield is seized by an evil cartel, and Virginia Madsen... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Sean Connery - Virginia Madsen - Christopher Lambert Director(s): Russell Mulcahy DVD Release Date: Released the 13 April 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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One must assume that Christopher Lambert signed a contract forcing him to make this second sequel to the 1986 cult film Highlander. Unless he was paid an enormous amount of money, there is no explanation for his appearance in this abysmal movie. The original feature, which was graced with the presence of Sean Connery, was a critical yawn but attracted a cult following on the strength of its supernatural story line. An overproduced and muddled sequel followed, as well as a syndicated TV series and a video flick spliced together from the series. One would think audiences had had enough of this clansman who can die only if decapitated. This installment begins 400 years ago, when Lambert is in Japan perfecting his swordsmanship with the aid of another immortal, a... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Christopher Lambert - Mario Van Peebles - Deborah Unger Director(s): Andrew Morahan DVD Release Date: Released the 04 March 2003 Usually ships within 1 to 2 weeks
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