Review of Highlander (1986) by Chris M — 07 Sep 2009

Okay, I'll admit it. Christopher Lambert's French accent during the "modern day" scenes are a bit distracting. That's just one of its few flaws, all of which this movie is keenly aware of, and able to poke fun at.

Originality abounds especially in the cast (including Lambert, who is intriguing and unpredictable on screen even when the movie lags; Sean Connery, who as usual injects just enough comedy into a movie about decapitation; and of course Clancy Brown, who is one of the best villains of all time).

The key to any film of this genre - what prevents it from falling into the "fromage" category - is that the actors are given a preposterous story (as all fantasies are), and they get it. They're in on the joke. They're as smart as the audience. Otherwise, your target audience is a theatre full of teenage girls and all they care about is that the studly vampire sweet talks the innocent young girl until she falls for him. This movie would turn off most teenage girls.

The main character is probably the most reluctant action hero in history. He's what you'd expect from a guy who found out he's immortal, can't have kids, lost the love of his life, and spent the last 500 years not knowing what to think about that. He has a keen awareness of right and wrong, still wants to fall in love again, but is horribly jaded and grouchy for most of the movie. Clearly, Christopher Lambert wasn't expecting this film to propel him into the same status as Sean Connery's Bond. MacLeod is much more LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST than he is JESUS OF NAZARETH.

For me the soundtrack is bittersweet. It's what a rock opera/action movie/period piece should be. The music is just aggressive and tender enough when it needs to be not to detract or overpower things. Who wants to live forever? I don't know, but it sucks when the love of your life can't and you have to. Yuck.

As a movie, I fail to find an exorbitant amount of cheese. Sure, the scenery, music, cars and the Kurgan's outfit are "dated" for the 21st century in the "modern" scenes, but much of this film's greatness and originality is diminished by a horrendous lineup of sequels, which didn't quite (LOL) understand the original like Mario Puzo understood the original Godfather. THE QUICKENING is no GODFATHER 2. Don't laugh.

As a standalone movie, this is highly underrated and is one of the best science fiction movies of all time. It's not a perfect movie, and is a bit ADHD in parts - sometimes it's too in love with itself and other times it couldn't care less...especially in the romantic scenes. I'm not knocking Lambert's love interest, Roxanne Hart, and even though a mid-80s Demi Moore would have been horrible for this part, a 33 year old who looks like she's 43...looks aren't everything, but the love scenes for me aren't convincing. Maybe it's personal preference, but someone who reminds you of your mother probably should be sleeping with the hero of your movie. Just saying. Then again, Lambert had a serious eye condition and if you thought the sword fighting scenes were decent, remember - he did all of them while virtually blind, since he couldn't wear contacts.

Overall, though, it's a strong action movie with heart. Connery is in it enough to give us comic relief without outdoing his welcome, and it's worth a look just to see Clancy Brown put on a clinic for all future villains. The guys that followed him...they're amateurs.

There can be only one. Forget the sequels. When you're watching Lambert imitate a Scotsman, just remember - Connery is the real deal...Lambert has a thick French accent. Pretty impressive considering. Either way, it's highly entertaining.