Highlander

To be honest, 2 stars are perhaps too luxurious a gift for a B-movie with a terrible screenplay and clumsy acting performances, but I will be accommodating today and will appreciate primarily the atmospheric music of my favorite Queen, led by Mercury, and a few impressive flashbacks to medieval Scotland. Nothing else holds up today, even though it is evident that this title greatly elevates the nostalgia of older users and the conformism of younger ones. Overall impression: 40%. (15/08/2015)

An interesting and original plot plus solid technical execution, those are the main strengths of Highlander. The story is well presented and full of mystery, the flashbacks to the past are very intriguing, the music is captivating and, oddly enough, Queen's famous song fit perfectly here. And that's what the viewer needs and expects from a film of this type. At least that's how it was for me. It's also worth mentioning Sean Connery and the demonic Kurgan portrayed by Clancy Brown. (21/12/2005)

With Christopher Lambert coming to Comic-Con in 2022, I wanted to revisit his most iconic role. The last time I watched it was as a kid, and I remember finding it pretty complex back then. The plot does start off a bit confusing, but it picks up, and the 80s vibe is charmingly naive and a joy to watch. Yes, it's very much a product of its time, but if you love films from that era, you won't be disappointed. Highlander is a legend—maybe a slightly dated one, but still legendary — with the neon-lit atmosphere of 80s New York that only that decade could deliver. (20/04/2022)

It's almost surprising that Highlander isn't based on a novel. I can easily imagine it as an 800-page epic fantasy, later adapted into a film that, while simplified, retains a stylish, B-movie charm. Highlander blends epic storytelling, romance, destiny, and a mix of seriousness and humor, all while being incredibly entertaining. Christopher Lambert might be stiff as a board, but his awkward performance somehow grows on you. Of course, Sean Connery's appearance as the Egyptian-born Spaniard, Ramirez, is a highlight, even if his role gets overshadowed by the scene-stealing villain Kurgan, played by Clancy Brown. Every moment Kurgan is on screen is a treat. I've had Highlander on my watchlist for ages and finally decided to watch it after a vacation in Scotland, where I visited the stunning Eilean Donan Castle featured in the film. You might think I am biased from the fresh memories of my trip, but I genuinely believe Highlander would have impressed me regardless. It combines everything I love about movies like this with exceptional editing, great cinematography, and an awesome soundtrack by Queen. Watching Highlander is truly a kind of magic! (16/09/2019)

A classic mainstream adventure with a perfect cast, impressive production design and a great premise, which, however, also became a stumbling block. It’s one thing to play with ideas of immortality and jump from the 16th century to the present day with a snap of the fingers, and something else is to tell a story detached from emotions, with clumsy effects and highlights in the form of static sword fights. Lambert is excellent in one of his few major roles, the music of Queen is fantastic and Connery is downright iconic. With a more elaborate and imaginative script, a remake should be a safe bet. 3.5* (29/07/2013)