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Highlander 2
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray ALL - America - Lionsgate Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Ethan Stevenson (23rd December 2010). |
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The Film
 Louise Marcus: Okay, now let me just see if I can get this straight. You’re mortal there, but you're immortal here until you kill all the guys from there who have come here... and then you're mortal here... unless you go back there, or some more guys from there came here, in which case you become immortal here... again. Connor MacLeod: Something like that. It’s logic and dialogue like that which makes “Highlander 2” a very special kind of awful. In it’s original 90-minute version released to theaters in 1991, dubbed “Highlander II: The Quickening” it’s revealed – in stark contrast to the original film – that immortal Scotsman Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) and his one time mentor Ramirez (Sean Connery, cashing his three million dollar paycheck with a wink and a grin) were actually aliens from the Planet Zeist sent to Earth to live out their eternal existence as punishment for leading a failed rebellion against General Katana (Michael Ironside), an evil warlord who’s… evil for some reason. We also learn that Ramirez and MacLeod were already old friends by the time they met each other (apparently, again) in 1540 in the Highlands… you know, during the first film, where none of this is even hinted at. Taken from a two-hour Workprint, which simply consisted for all of the scenes that had been shot, presented in chronological order, and without a finished climax, the 1991 theatrical release was an incoherent piece of junk assembled by the bond company that funded the film after they locked the director and producers out of the editing booth. The company cut a film that they believed would appeal to the widest possible audience, including those who hadn’t seen the first “Highlander” (1986) – a grave, grave mistake – in hope of recouping some of their losses which occurred when the Argentinean economy collapsed while the film was being shot there. The original film, despite its problems, is the sort of 80's cheese that was at least original (immortal god-men who beheaded each other with samurai swords; what’s not to like) and it had enough heart to be remembered fondly. The first film persists as a beloved cult classic to this day because it was imaginative and cool. It’s true that “Highlander II: The Quickening” is also remembered, but not fondly. Rightfully panned by critics and abhorred by audiences during it’s original theatrical run, “Highlander II: The Quickening” has gone down as one of the (if not the) worst sequels of all time. It’s a cult classic all right – a cult classic in the same vein as “Plan 9 From Outer Space” (1958). People “love” it because it’s an icon of incompetence, not because it’s good. The year is 2024. Connor MacLeod is now an old man waiting to die (spoiler alert: the “prize” from the end of the first film was mortality and the ability to father children; in other words, to become human). In the 38 years that have passed since the events of the first film, the world has gone to complete shit. You see, the Ozone Layer was in danger of completely depleting itself at the dawn of the new millennium, so a team of scientists – lead by MacLeod – developed a shield designed to protect Earth’s citizens from a horrible, horrible and certain death. However, the shield has left the third planet from the sun in a state of utter dystopia, where a company called The Shield Corporation (clever, eh?) has privatized the security of the atmosphere, forcing governments to pay for protection. Shield’s CEO (a terribly misused John C. McGinley) is a damn arrogant bastard, profiting off those less fortunate souls who need his “service” to simply live. The fallout from the device has left society as-we-know-it fractured; broken and living under a hideous red (or in the director’s cut, a sickly steely blue) sky. The extremely wealthy live in opulent ignorance while the poor (aka everyone else) live in rape-infested slums. A select few think that the protective grid is no longer necessary – that the Ozone has repaired itself – chiefly, eco-terrorist Louise Marcus (Virginia Madsen) who has plans to expose the company for its deception, and hopefully restore Earth to its former glory. Does this even sound like “Highlander”? No? Well, fret not. It’s about to get even more… nope, it just gets more confusing and stupid. Marcus enlists the help of the newly immortal MacLeod (who has his powers restored after he beheads a pair of Immortal porcupines –er, aliens... no, time travelers. Yep that’s it, time travelers from the same technologically advanced past as Connor. Wait, what?) and his suddenly undead friend Ramirez. Together, the two old friends use their powers to assist Marcus in her quest. Katana, resting on Planet Zeist, hears of this and travels to Earth (or, in the director’s cut, into the future from the “past”), siding with The Company and assisting them for no discernible reason, while he waits for his final battle with the Highlander to commence. “Highlander 2” was later reworked by director Russell Mulcahy (who disowned the theatrical cut upon it’s release) into the "Renegade Version," an alternate take on the film released in 1995 that is 19 minutes longer and considered by many to be “better”. Supposedly much closer to the originally scripted film, this cut presents the narrative in typical “Highlander” fashion with staggered flashbacks. The Zeist storyline is completely jettisoned, and instead the Immortals are simply leftovers of a technologically advanced civilization from the past, on Earth, not unlike the fabled Atlantis. Honestly, I can’t say that this new plot thread helps the film much. Sure, the explanation of the Highlander’s origins is different in this version, but it’s still completely idiotic. Even more so when you consider the most of the Zeist scenes still exists (alien landscape and all), but all references to it being another planet have been removed, replaced with insinuations that it’s actually the distant past. Not completely satisfied with the “Renegade” version, and with the use of CGI and computer-based non-linear editing suites not available at the time of the original production, executive producers Peter Davis and William Panzer chose to release a director’s cut of the film in 2004. A “Director’s Cut” in name only, Mulcahy had little to do with this release (which is coincidentally the only version of the film included on this Blu-ray) even though it has the same 109 minute runtime as his "Renegade Version," including similar pacing with staggered flashbacks and the removal of the alien storyline. However, the 2004 cut differs from both earlier versions of the film in a number of ways. Simply titled “Highlander 2”, this director's cut presents a version of the film that has been further re-structured so that Mulcahy’s signature scene transitions from the first film are carried over here (for instance, a doorway “opens” to a scene in the past). The film was also completely recolored with the assistance of computers, and most of the effects – including Shield Control, the upper atmosphere and various Quickenings – have been updated using CG enhancements. Unfortunately, even with all it’s tinkering over the years “Highlander 2” still sucks. It’s a hopelessly garbled mess of a film bordering on being a pointlessly convoluted, near insufferable bore. It makes absolutely no sense as a sequel, and is just as bad when you consider it a standalone film (which, incidentally, you were instructed to do via a pamphlet included in the "Renegade" DVD package). It may be nice to look at (if I can offer a backhanded compliment, with it’s sophisticated Argentinean location and massive, detailed sets, the film is gorgeous from a practical standpoint even if it’s proof that a big budget doesn’t beat quality storytelling), some of the fight sequences aren’t terribly directed, and as a piece of absolute trash cinema, it’s at least sort of enjoyable for its awfulness. But, still, “Highlander 2” is just a crap film. The type of film you hide in your DVD collection because you’re ashamed that you finally broke down and bought it from the bargain bin at the local Walmart.
Video
Wait a minute – this is a Blu-ray? Regrettably the 2.40:1 1080p 24/fps AVC MPEG-4 widescreen high definition transfer of "Highlander 2" is about as appalling as the film itself. First, my one compliment: colors are pretty nice. Moving on, a simple port of the troubled HD master created in 2004 for the “Director’s Cut” Special Edition, this presentation is every bit as dated as you’d expect. Detail is just awful. A majority of the film looks like an upconverted DVD with very little appreciable texture in clothing and faces (even Lambert’s old man makeup is mushy and indistinct). Blacks are utterly weak and depressingly milky throughout the film, contrast is dull and the image is often too dark. Persistent edge enhancement leaves thick halos around everything in frame during medium and long shots. A heavy layer of noise – not grain, but blocky, clumpy digital noise – rains down upon the film on a frequent basis. A handful of shots have a smeary DNR-look to them, while noticeable print damage appears in others. And finally, aliasing is an issue in a number of scenes – most notably during Connor’s arrival at Shield Control, and during the flashback to 1999. Sure, some of the film looks okay (not great, not even good, but better than the rest of it, and definitely high def), which is why I didn’t give the video a total Fail, but really, this is pathetic. Not even “Highlander 2” deserves a transfer like this.
Audio
Lionsgate has provided a single audio track: lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround mixed at 48kHz/24-bit with optional subtitles in English, Spanish and French. Amazingly the mix is pretty acceptable if not downright remarkable. Despite being remixed into 8-channels for it’s Blu-ray debut, the film’s surround activity doesn’t feel forced; unbelievably it almost sounds natural. The film is packed with robust action set pieces – from Connor’s battle with Corda and Reno (the two spiky headed twins that Katana sent to kill MacLeod in the first place) to a machine gun firefight between Shield security and the two Immortals in the climax – that astound. With power comes authority, and with authority, clarity. “Highlander 2” has a striking soundtrack that may not be populated by classic Queen tunes, but it still outclasses many early 90's film currently available on Blu-ray. Low-end is forceful with positively explosive bass during the Quickening scene that happens early in the film. The score and other ambient effects are nicely prioritized in the mix, immersing the listener in the world of the film. My one complaint is pretty typical of the genre: dialogue gets lost amidst some of the more chaotic action. But, otherwise, pretty good stuff. Perhaps not reference, but for a film from 1991 with such a troubled production history, “Highlander 2” sounds mighty impressive. Note: I encountered a weird subtitle glitch that I was able to replicate on both my systems. Even with the subtitles turned off, at approximately 54 minutes during the “launch” of the shield, a single line of dialogue – a voiceover from Shield Control – appears in unremovable English SDH. Very odd indeed.
Extras
What’s this… extras and lost of ‘em!? The recent Blu-ray release of the original “Highlander” may be lacking in the supplemental department (the domestic Lionsgate release anyway) but “Highlander 2” is positively packed with content. Although, I guess that’s not really surprising as the universally panned sequel received a special edition DVD release in 2004 while the original hasn’t seen the deluxe treatment in the US. Documentary? Check. Additional featurettes? Yep. Deleted scenes? You bet. And how about theatrical trailers, bonus trailers and bookmarks? Well, of course. The one notable thing missing from this Blu-ray is the audio commentary from the "Renegade Version" Laserdisc and DVD releases, but as that track was dropped from the 2004 SE DVD I didn’t really expect it to reappear here. The commentary discussed many of the “could haves” that eventually came to fruition in the 2004 Director’s Cut; so I guess it makes sense that the commentary disappeared with that final released. Otherwise this is a great selection of extras – and one far better than “Highlander 2” really deserves – that might make you appreciate the terrible, terrible film in some way. Or not. “Seduced by Argentina” (4x3 480i, 50 minutes 5 seconds) is a thoroughly comprehensive making of documentary. With the help of interviews recorded in 2004 and extensive behind-the-scenes footage, the cast and crew trace the production of “Highlander 2” from the theatrical release and critical reception of the first film, it’s success in Europe which lead to ideas for a sequel, all the way through the shoot of “Highlander II – The Quickening”, the complete collapse of the film in South America, and the disastrous days in Los Angeles with the final cut of the film at the hands of the Bond company which funded it. The creation of the "Renegade Version" and Director’s Cuts are also discussed. “The Redemption of ‘Highlander II’” (4x3 480i, 13 minutes 46 seconds) is a featurette with visual effects designer Sam Nicholson. He discusses the digital re-mastering of “Highlander 2” for the 2004 Director’s Cut including the new CG effects that supposedly bring the film closer to Mulcahy’s original vision and the process of restoring the film to it’s proper color timing. “The Music of ‘Highlander II’” (4x3 480i, 9 minutes 5 seconds) is a featurette with composer Stewart Copeland. The music man talks about creating themes for the film and bringing a bit of levity to the film through the soundtrack. “The Fabric of ‘Highlander II’” (4x3 480i, 10 minutes 7 seconds) is a featurette that looks at costume designer Deborah Everton and her contributions to the production. She talks about the retro-futuristic style of the film and how that impacted her job. “Shadows and Darkness: The Cinematography of ‘Highlander II’” (4x3 480i, 5 minutes 51 seconds) is a featurette focusing on the work of DP Phil Meheux. He discusses the lighting and unique look of the film. A deleted scenes reel (1080p, 5 minutes 48 seconds) includes a handful of tattered odds and ends from the original theatrical release, encoded in poor quality high definition. Most of these removed scenes focus on the ridiculous Zeist concept and Connor’s alien origins. Pass! The “Original Cannes Promotional Reel” (16x9 480p, 9 minutes 29 seconds) is an extended trailer that was used to find financing and distribution for the film at Cannes 1990. The films hideous original theatrical trailer (16x9 480p, 52 seconds) is also included. Finally, there are a few pre-menu bonus trailers (1080p) for: - “Apocalypse Now” on Blu-ray runs 1 minute 28 seconds. - “The Expendables” on Blu-ray and DVD runs 2 minutes 29 seconds. - "Lionsgate Blu-ray" promo: “The Stars of ‘The Expendables’ on Blu-ray” trailer runs 1 minute. - “Kick Ass” on Blu-ray and DVD runs 2 minutes 26 seconds.
Packaging
“Highlander 2” arrives on Blu-ray in it’s Director’s Cut form from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Packaged in an Elite eco-case, the dual layer BD-50 is essentially a high-def upgrade of the 2004 SE DVD and confirmed to be region free.
Overall
“Highlander 2” is terrible. It’s horrible. It’s probably the worst sequel of all time. But, it’s also a very, very special kind of awful; a film so stupid, illogical and poorly pieced together that it’s sort of awesome. Not so bad it’s good exactly… more like, so dumbfounding atrocious you need to see it to believe it. I turn to the trivia page on IMDB for this tidbit that says far more than I ever could: All the subsequent Highlander productions ignore “Highlander 2”, as if it never happened. Sadly, even though it includes a "digitally remastered" (pfft) director’s cut Lionsgate’s new Blu-ray has dreadful video, but it also has surprisingly good audio and extras, so I wonder, is that enough? No. I can’t really see many people flocking to stores just to pick this one up. If you must add this one to your collection (“Highlander” completionist? Self-loathing sadomasochist? Overzealous format enthusiast?) do yourself a favor and wait a few months. This one’s destined for the bargain bin in no time.
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