Film Discussion of the Week: Highlander

Dan E. Kool , you need some Queen references for the ratings system.  "Who Wants to Live forever?" should be the lowest, and "Princes of the Universe" should be the top.  Fill the rest in anyway you please.

Ah, that's totally it! If I change the poll the votes will be erased, though. Does anyone object?

I'll vote 5 as many times as I need to.

The tv show was actually better since they could flesh out characters and varied timeline stories.

I just tried to match them with the ratings. "Kind of" Magic doesn't sound so sure to me...

Isn't it strange how big Highlander was at one time - multiple movie sequels, a tv series, a cartoon and even an anime movie directed by the same guy from Ninja Scroll - and how it mostly got forgotten? I am really only very familiar with the original movie, so I'll only talk about it - I have watched some of the sequels and the cartoon (not the series or anime), but don't remember a lot about them.

First of all, the premise is the best. You have these immortal guys that use swords and try to cut the heads of each other; also, they'll get each others' powers for every battle won, and there's a mysterious prize they're all after. What I like the most about the premise is how it can be recreated on very different time periods. In the first movie itself, we see Connor in the Middle Ages, in the Illuminist France, in WW2 and in the 80s; the sequels and spin-offs would also explore post-apocalyptic future. In general, it is a very "game" premise - you have badass sword fights, heroes that can take a lot of punishment, levels and new powers, safe places (churches), a clear final goal and a multitude of different settings. Too bad the only Highlander game ever released was that sad thing for the Jaguar CD...

Second, the atmosphere. There's this mix of grungy 80s and medieval fantasy that works surprisingly well. The villain that was a dark knight in the medieval era comes back as this punk in the 80s; the hero is still using a long coat; swords are still useful weapons.

Third, the tone. It's both an epic hero journey through the eras, an 80s action movie and a melancholic drama. The idea that an immortal will lose everyone he loves is both very well punctuated by Queen's "Who wants to live forever", the scenes with Heather and by the WW2 scene that reveals how Connor met one of the characters (so we see how this person got old while Connor always remains the same). The struggle against the villain turns especially challenging when it's "this rage that lasts a thousand years" (according to Queen's "A kind of magic" song; it's a bit less than that, but that gives the idea) and the hero's journey looks more meaningful. And then we have all the tropes from 80s action movies, like the jerk cops, the dumb street thugs, the hot chick and the physical fights that aren't excessively choreographed (by that, I mean it doesn't look like the actors are just "dancing" instead of fighting, like the lightsaber fights in Star Wars Ep 1-3). The fights have weight and look somewhat realistic while also looking cool.

Fourth, the soundtrack. I swear this movie has one of the best soundtracks ever made, especially since the songs' lyrics are really related to the events of the movie - "A kind of magic" is even one of the phrases said by Connor. Queen was just the best choice they could have for this movie.

Last, the visuals and general style. Highlander is right up there with Road Warrior, Blade Runner and Alien as one of my favourite visual styles for movies. I just love how it looks.

I haven't watched Highlander (yet), but that post by Cervantes is a tall order to follow. He might oversell it.