 Highlander: Endgame is the first Highlander movie to star Adrian Paul (as Duncan MacLeod), as well as Christopher Lambert (as Connor MacLeod). Duncan was the main character of the Highlander television series, while Connor was the protagonist of the previous three Highlander movies. As with other Highlander sequels, this movie has little to do with the previous Highlander films. It also has little relation to the Highlander television series, though the familiar characters Joe Dawson and Methos do play a part.
I can't imagine that writing a screenplay combining a film legacy with a television series is an easy process. Yet the writers of Highlander: Endgame did a decent job. There was a small amount of interaction between Connor and Duncan in the television series, so at least the writers had something to start from. The interaction between the two characters is surprisingly believable and creates an emotional bond that is important to the success of the movie.
As one would expect from any Highlander movie, there are plenty of sword-fighting scenes, and most of them are well done. I appreciate the far panned out shots that show both men fighting as well as the area where the combat is taking place. This adds an element of reality that you don't get from watching quick zoomed-in shots of clashes and collisions that make up the fighting scenes in most movies. Even so, I would have liked to have seen even more of the panned out shots, which were customary of the television series.
While the action scenes are mostly successful, the acting is another story. Both Adrian Paul and Christopher Lambert live up to expectations, but the other new characters in the movie are not as believable and don't develop and emotional connection with the viewer. The character development is decent, but the characters themselves are not anything special. I attribute this to both lackluster creation of the characters as well as acting that is mediocre at best.
Highlander: Endgame is not loaded with special effects, but it does have its share of explosions and the obligatory lightning effects for whenever a "Quickening" takes place. The effects are not horrible, but they certainly don't match some of the higher budget films in the action genre. The effects towards the end of the movie seem to actually get worse, making me wonder if the film was rushed to production. At least the effects don't carry the movie, so it is only a minor distraction.
The cinematography, on the other hand, is wonderful. It is the classic Highlander style, with dark, cloudy scenes as the usual backdrop. This style is different than the typical "always night" setting of many dark action movies. It sets the stage with a dark tone, but still makes each scene seem like an everyday scenario. The fantasy theme of the Highlander story combined with constant aspects of reality creates a great dynamic.
Highlander: Endgame is an entertaining movie, though it is more likely to be enjoyed by those who are already Highlander fans. People who have never seen a Highlander movie or television episode may find themselves lost at times. I felt there could have been a number of improvements to the plot of the movie to make it more emotional and meaningful, but it was a satisfying picture. If you are a Highlander fan, this movie is definitely worth your time. Even if you don't know who the Highlander is, this movie is still a good choice if you want a different style of action movie for a change.
Best Scene: Easily, the scene between Connor and Duncan MacLeod on the rooftop of a building. This scene was done so well, it adds an extra star to the rating. |
