The Highlander: Endgame Store

The Video & DVD Highlander: Endgame	DVD Highlander-Endgame	Soundtrack Highlander: EndGame (2000 Film)
	Books Highlander: The Complete Watcher's Guide This works out of the mythology created by the TV show. - CDM

A New Beginning: Highlander Endgame 
by Michael Flanagan

Solid

In the history of movies, the act of “passing the torch” has rarely occurred without a glitch or two.  For instance, the recent changeover in the Star Trek movie-universe, as the stars of the televised “The Next Generation” took the stage from the classic players, was met with Trekkie complaint after Trekkie complaint, and the change’s device, “Star Trek Generations,” was met with an equal amount of negative reviews.  In the case of the ever-continuing Highlander franchise, the changeover is a little easier to accept, if not somewhat of a relief.

            The third Highlander sequel, “Highlander:  Endgame” has the benefit of a worldwide successful television series to counteract two miserable sequels.  The star of the series, Adrian Paul, is finally brought to the big screen in a charismatic and charming performance as Duncan Macleod, the Scottish Immortal and cousin to the previous Highlander driver, Christopher Lambert’s Connor Macleod.  Surprisingly, the two actor’s have definite on-screen chemistry, and Paul’s Scottish accent even adds character to Lambert’s constant monotone attempts at clear English.  The only setback to this pairing is in the lack of screen time together.  Aside from one extremely well done and memorable sword fight (The Cousins MacLeod vs. Wrestling’s Edge), the two are basically kept apart with only moments of dialogue together, driven by a somewhat average script.

            The plot is the usual run-of-the-mill passing the buck story.  Connor and Duncan face an extremely powerful immortal, Jakob Kell, who has decided to ignore “the game” and use his eternity to make Connor as miserable as possible.  We never see an example of Kell’s power, as many of the scenes from the trailer were cut from the film, turning what appeared to be a sorcerer into a really angry swordsman.

[DVD UPDATE]

          The Highlander Endgame DVD adds much to the film.  First, it adds about 15 minutes to the original film, which fills in some missing plot points, adds a story arc, and makes it a better movie.  The extra are amazing; they include deleted scenes, interesting commentary (sans Aarniokoski), and a featurette.  The most unique aspect is a "early cut" of the film, which shows many deleted scenes (and lines) in a new fashion, perhaps as the director originally intended the film to be.  The missing scenes from the trailer, however, are still nowhere to be seen.    Regardless of a missing director and a missing trailer, the DVD is an excellent addition to any collection.  Average DVD Rank:  Super.  DVD Rank for a Highlander fan?  HUGE!

Using the Mindlessness Angle: Highlander 4: Endgame
by Christian De Matteo

Solid

     So, I was worried my commentary on the first Highlander flick was going to upset some people, just wait till you hear this.

     I feel that Endgame was a better movie than the first, despite the cameo of a WWF star Edge (watch out for the corny WWF reference to his wrestling name: "Looks like you've lost your EDGE").

     I have a number of reasons for feeling this way.  First off, the sword fights were better, with more special effects, more sparking swords, more acrobatics and more stunts.  As you know, you don't watch a Highlander flick for plot, but for brainless fun.  The final confrontation is a lot of fun to watch, almost a poorman's Darth Maul finale, and very enjoyable.  Are you ever worried the hero won't make it?  No, but it sure does look cool.  

     Secondly, the story felt stronger, less amateurish.  Forgetting the second and third films (as the series producers obviously have) the series has graduated from beginner filmmaking, to successful TV movie status..  I suppose I consider that an improvement, because at the least it felt more cohesive, more thought out and the writing was better.

     Thirdly, the villain wasn't ridiculous, but evil.  He was certainly not a brilliantly evil villain, as smart as a Iago or as evil as a Joker, but he didn't make you want to laugh as Clancy Brown's villain in the first film did.  Bruce Payne pulls off a performance in evil much like the Devil might act in a black and white universe: unequivocally evil, and without any redeeming value except maybe a cool sense of humor.  This raises the stakes enough to up the fun ante.

     Fourthly, Lambert's acting has improved (realize, this is a relative thing) and he works surprisingly well with TV Highlander star Adrian Paul, who does a fine job with his role.  I can see why the fans grasped onto him in the TV show.  The interplay between the two of them through history gives the film another dimension of fun as you get to see them training in all different costumes and allowing for some funny flashbacks.

     And this leads into the fifth reason:  Thanks to the TV show, the Highlander series has learned not to take itself to seriously.  This is good because they can't really be taken seriously since there's no logical continuity in the mythology at this point unless you ignore several entries.  The producers have smartly recognized that they are basically making fun little sword and sorcery films and that that should be the end to the formula.  We the audience want swords, blood, action, explosions and slapstick humor out of a Highlander movie.

     And there is one more important item we want from a Highlander movie:  Sex.  Yes, sex.  And this movie comes through on that angle beautifully, topping (as opposed to tupping) part 1's enjoyable sex scene, by giving us a two-time-periods-at-once sex scene, flashing back at forth for double the nudity/double the fun, looks at the beautiful Lisa Barbuscia (Almost Heros) in the throes of coital passion.  And for this I personally thank first time director Douglas Aarniokoski.

     And these are my reasons for considering this movie better than the first.  Will I ever see this again?  Maybe if I'm ever too tired or sick to watch something of substance and want some mindless fun, sure.  I can't say that for the first.

Trivia

But if he's the last, then whose this guy?  And where did they come from?  If he died here, how could he be in the future earlier...or is it..aw, ferget it!  Confused?  It might have something to do with the fact that Highlander: Endgame completely ignores the ending to the first Highlander film, as well as the whole second and third film.  Highlander continuity makes absolutely no sense, so don't even bother trying!  Just sit back and roll with the punches, I guess.