Review of Highlander (1986) by Steven G — 01 Nov 2013

When it comes to this franchise, they maybe should have stuck to the films infamous tagline, 'There can be only one'. This film hits a lot of nostalgia points for me, it reminds me of a Sunday ritual I used to have with my good friend Kris, few cans, some snacks and a few (quit now, horrible habit) ciggies whilst we watched a film or three we'd picked up from Blockbuster. Ah nostalgia, it ain't what it used to be.

Any hows, back to the film. You'll have to forgive two glaring errors to enjoy this, a French man (Lambert) , making little effort to hide his accent, playing a Scotsman and a Scotsman (Connery) playing an Egyptian (via Spain). The story is cracking and the exposition handled wonderfully by Connery and flashback and you're soon engrossed in the battle of the immortals. And then you notice the soundtrack, largely performed by Queen and fitting the film so well. I admit I usually take no notice of soundtracks, not really musically inclined, in this film though, it's almost integral to the story telling.

Whilst Lambert is good and Connery is at his scenery chewing, scene stealing best, it's Clancy Brown as The Kurgan that holds this together, Brown seems born to play this role and maintains a thoroughly menacing air throughout. When asked to name a great or favourite film baddy, my mind always goes to The Kurgan and considering how many films I've seen, I don't think I can pay him a higher compliment.

In summary, watch this, ignore all the sequels and thankfully the remake looks in trouble and Ryan Reynolds has already pulled out.