Ignoring the events of "Highlander 2," this film picks up 9 yrs after the first. We find MacLeod living with his adoptive son in Morocco and satisfied that he is the last immortal and has the coveted "Prize." Soon he receives a cognition that more immortals are alive (revived from "death" by an archaeological dig) and
packs for NYC for a duel with the evil sorcerer immortal Kane.
Made while the TV show was at its peak, this film benefits from the influence of its narrative and production style that had been refined over the years. Most of the characters and their relationships (especially the love interests) are thin and underdeveloped. The movie relies heavily on nostalgia for the 1st film for the impact of its emotional scenes. It also mirrors it's story to the point of being a near remake. The police hunt subplot simply drops out of the picture near the end and the villains are too silly to be threatening. The special f/x are enjoyable but underused (Kane barely uses his illusions during fights.)
Still, the deja vu, and pretension and trickery themes are well handled (though not explored as much as they could have been). Lambert is as appropriately melancholy and good humored as in previous entries, Van Peeples is clearly having fun with his deliciously devilish over the top performance exploiting every villainous cliché in the book, Unger is soild in her role and quite beautiful (even more so in the obligatory sex scene, of course), and Mako's dignified presence is, of course, a welcome addition to the "Highlander" saga. The special f/x were good for its time and are still fairly impressive today.
Overall, a competent production and a mildly entertaining, if rehashed, film with some interesting ideas that were not fully realized. This is the best of the sequels
July 4, 2007
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