Highlander is an enduring cult classic and one of my favorite movies of all time. On blu-ray for the first time, Highlander’s video and audio quality are much improved, if not perfect. This is the best the movie has ever looked though. The video is generally sharp and much brighter than the muddled VHS and DVD copies of the past. For Highlander fans, this is as good as the moive has ever looked, and that makes this a must-buy.
Highlander is about an immortal named Connor MacLeod (brooding Christopher Lambert) who has been battling other immortals across time until there is only one immortal left. There can be only one is the motto of the immortals, and that phrase has entered our lexicon due to the popularity of the movie and television series. Immortals battle in swordfights and can only be killed by beheading. The winner absorbs the loser’s power and life essence (which is dubbed the quickening). Connor’s main nemesis in Highlander is a hulking warrior named The Kurgan (memorably played by Clancy Brown). Since this is an origin story, our hero needs a mentor, and Highlander has a terrific one in Sean Connery. Connery finds Lambert in the highlands of Scottland and teaches him to fight and survive in his new life as an immortal. Connery’s over-the-top performance and general appeal is a huge boost to Highlander and the appeal of the film. Queen’s memorable score as well as Russell Mulcahy’s energetic, rock-video inspired direction help make Highlander a classic of its kind.
The blu-ray looks and sounds good and features a few extras including a very good and informative commentary with director Russell Mulcahy and some deleted scenes but the main appeal will be the improved audio and visual presentation of the movie. Highlander runs about 15 bucks or less and it’s well worth the purchase.
Grade: A-
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