Plot: What’s it about?
It is said that all men face death at some point, but some walk this realm with a special power, one which allows them to roam for thousands of years, even as most of the others around them perish. One such man is Connor Macleod (Christopher Lambert), a Scottish warrior who was banished from his own village, after he was mortally wounded in battle, but survived. His villagers were shocked and assumed it was the work of the devil, since no mortal man could survive the wound, so Macleod was sent out. After five years on his own, he runs into Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), a man who not only instructs Connor in the ways of the sword, but also about his special condition. Thus Connor learns he is an immortal, but that he can be killed if his head is cut off and if that is done by another immortal, his powers will be assumed by his killer, who will become even stronger. When there is only immortal left, he will have the power to rule the world and as such, the surviving immortals have gathered in modern New York, to hold battles to decide the fate of them all. Can Connor avenge the death of Ramirez at the hands of Kurgan, or will evil be allowed to win the battle and assume the ultimate power?
Artisan first released this film in an edition often known as one of the worst DVDs ever, but thankfully, Highlander has finally been given the treatment it deserves, thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay. They’ve given us a new anamorphic transfer, new Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES mixes, and some cool extras, including a Queen CD, but more on that stuff later in the review. This film spawned three sequels, a television series, a successful line of merchandise, and of course, a sizable fanbase that expands with each new installment. None of the films have been as well taken as the original however, and with good reason, as it is the best one in the series and is a lot of fun, the kind of flick I could watch all the time and never be bored. I admit, it has some cheese laden moments, but Highlander has some cool action sequences, a very cool premise, and just a certain atmosphere that keeps fans coming back. So no, Highlander does not qualify as an art picture nor does it contain deep social commentary, but it is a blast to watch, no doubt about it. This new Immortal Edition from Anchor Bay is a terrific package, but if you don’t want to spend the extra cash, at least pick up their standard version, both are worthwhile investments.
Sure, he’s almost blind and has never worked his way into mainstream success, but Christopher Lambert is still a talented performer, if you ask me. No, his work won’t bring in critical praise and loads of small golden statues, but he delivers when he needs to, though he has lost a step or two since Highlander. I think he has the skills to be in larger scale pictures, but the masses don’t seem to support him, so he ends up in low budget or straight to video projects. I think this is a shame, as Lambert is a gifted performer and while not the best action star, he has his moments. His recent efforts have mostly been in direct to video releases, but in Highlander, he proves he could headline and deliver the goods. Other films with Lambert include Mortal Kombat, Mean Guns, The Hunted, Beowulf, and Knight Moves. The cast also includes Sean Connery (Thunderball, Zardoz), Roxanne Hart (The Last Innocent Man, When Secrets Kill), and Clancy Brown (Starship Troopers, The Shawshank Redemption).
Video: How does it look?
Highlander is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. As well all know, Artisan’s previous disc was an exercise in how to make a bad transfer, with all sorts of problems present and a place as one of the most reviled treatments of all time. With this new transfer, we’re given sizable improvements in all aspects of the visuals, but some problems remain behind, though nothing too serious. I saw some digital noise and other related errors in some scenes, but not enough to be overly concerned about, especially given the improvements made in other areas, which enhance the image to no end. I found black levels to be very good here, while colors were sometimes a little inconsistent, though always acceptable. So this is not a perfect visual presentation, but I’ve never seen Highlander look this good on home video.
Audio: How does it sound?
I was pleased to find new Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES options included here, but the source material simply isn’t able to take full advantage of the capabilities here, so while the tracks are solid, they’re not as impressive as expected. Neither track is bad by any means, but with the extra effort involved, I guess I sort of expected a total windfall of audio, which was an unfair thing to expect, all things considered. The surround presence is solid most of the time, but seems a little artificial, even harsh at times, which is a let down. The music suffers the most, with a canned kind of sound in some scenes, though all the elements still sound stable here. The dialogue remains clean and crisp throughout, which is excellent news, of course. I’d say this is the best Highlander has sounded on home video and in the end, that’s about all we can ask, I think. This disc also includes a French language option, should you need that.
Supplements: What are the extras?
In addition to a bonus CD of Queen music, this Immortal Edition also has an exclusive metal slipcase, which looks awesome. Unlike the tins offered by Anchor Bay for previous titles, this slipcase fits right on your normal shelf and is impervious to fingerprints, thanks to a non-glossy, very attractive finish. This release sports the same audio commentary as prior Highlander special editions, with insight from director Russell Mulcahy, as well as producers William N. Panzer and Peter S. Davis, who have a lot to information to share throughout. You’ll also find three Queen music videos, some still photos, cast & crew information, and two theatrical trailers.
