Review of Highlander (1986) by Liam S — 22 Jul 2009

As the years have gone by I've discovered that Highlander gets better each and every time I see it. With the most recent viewing it suddenly hit me - it's flawless! It's exciting, it's mysterious, it's emotional and I can't think of anything wrong with it. First and foremost the story is awesome - Who are these Immortals? Where did they come from? What is the Quickening? What is the Prize? These are the questions that drive the plot forward and keep you hooked until the end. Some of them are answered, some are not. This may be disappointing for some but I feel that it's perfectly balanced to leave you satisfied whilst retaining an aura of mystery that will leave you yearning for more. The story is played out really well too with the film taking us backwards and forwards through time, revealing more and more key details at a steady pace as it goes along. As an action movie about immortal swordsmen killing each other to the last man, naturally there are plenty of fight scenes - which are great - but the film doesn't forget it needs a heart so it looks at some of the more emotional issues too such as the inevitable loneliness that comes with immortality. The key sequence sees Connor's wife Heather succumming to old age as Connor, still a young man, helplessly looks on, all set against Brian May's "Who Wants to Live Forever". It's enough to melt even the coldest heart. Then there's Connor's relationship with Rachel, a girl he rescued from the Nazi's during WWII and grew up to be his closest friend and confidant and perhaps could have been more, had he let her past the bitter defenses he'd built up following Heather's death. Their one-to-one's on the subject of his loneliness really clue you into his world and their goodbye scene is another memorable moment - subtle but enormously powerful at the same time.

Visually the film looks fantastic with each location drenched with atmosphere - the New York scenes dark, grimy and cloying with dank underground car parks and filthy back alleys and 16th century Scotland bright and lively. Then we have the touches brought about by the overblown action where the merest sword strikes demolish walls, blow out light panels and send out huge explosions of sparks and each fallen warrior produces a destructive light show which shatters every pane of glass in the vicinity. It looks brilliant!

Christopher Lambert, an unknown at the time plays Connor MacLeod and he's pretty good in the role, providing the range that the character needs, impressive since he'd barely learnt to speak English. Could Conner have been better in another actors hands? Probably, but Lambert is so synonymous with the character that I can't even imagine it! Sean Connery is the big name in the cast and again he's pretty good, filling out the mentor role of Ramirez nicely. Again I can't say he's the ideal choice for the character but the joke of Ramirez being an Egyptian from Spain who speaks with a Scottish accent is so ingrained into any Highlander fan's mind that trying to think of anyone else in the Spanish Peacock's shoes is futile. On the other hand there is one piece of casting that is the very definition of "inspired" - I am of course referring to Clancy Brown as The Kurgan, a role so perfect that there's no doubt in my mind that he's one of the greatest villains of all time! From the moment he first appears you know he's something special - huge, deep-voiced, intimidating, deadly - however it's when he shows up in present day New York that the real fun begins, having swapped his armour and animal furs for leather and chains and been driven mad by centuries of killing - his stalking and mocking of MacLeod, his mannerisms, his dialogue and his general attitude and demeanor are just outrageously entertaining. Just check out the scene where he kidnaps Brenda (Roxanne Hart) and takes her on a joyride, a scene that serves no purpose except to showcase Clancy Brown doing insane! It rocks. It's the little things too such as the way he makes the sign of the cross before gleefully putting out the candles as he enters the church. Nothing is too low for him, if it involves being a dick, he'll do it. Classic, classic villain. Clancy Brown, my hat goes off to you.

Although I never realised it until recently, Highlander is just about the perfect example of a fantasy action film. Whether you're in the mood for a simple action flick with great characters and a ton of exciting action or if you want something a little deeper then you've got it. Spellbinding.

Oh, and did I mention the soundtrack is by fucking QUEEN?!!