Serialized films and novels focusing on seemingly endless possibilities (Anne Rice's Vampires, Highlander, Star Trek, etc) run the risk of alienating all non-fans to the point of becoming hideous insularities and trite clichés, where Highlander Endgame succeeds in committing itself to being the last, and the only worthy successor to the original. There can be only one? Well, only in legends and other fantasies.
Highlander Endgame is so much more interesting than I expected it to be, that I had a very hard time deciding where to begin this review. This is neither an end to the TV series, nor an end to the movie franchise but rather, a redemption of both - succeeding where the preceding sequels failed so miserably. However, despite and because of this redemption - it is, simply, an end. That said - be forewarned - this is not easy to follow and, frankly, not easy. The key elements of this film are its furious pace and satisfying back-story creating the history of the relationship between Connor and Duncan. The action sequences are good, and well filmed, and the acting is a touch above the norm for this series.
If you pay attention and commit yourself to this film, you will probably find that it pays off much more powerfully than you expected, whether or not you were a fan or the original film or the TV series. Sure, this is a fan film. But, despite the insider themes, and the soap-opera complexity of some aspects of this, an attentive viewer will find food for thought and plenty to entertain. Maybe I'm insane, but maybe this film will be recognized in ten or fifteen years for the quality it brought back to a great imaginative fiction franchise.
Highlander Endgame is so much more interesting than I expected it to be, that I had a very hard time deciding where to begin this review. This is neither an end to the TV series, nor an end to the movie franchise but rather, a redemption of both - succeeding where the preceding sequels failed so miserably. However, despite and because of this redemption - it is, simply, an end. That said - be forewarned - this is not easy to follow and, frankly, not easy. The key elements of this film are its furious pace and satisfying back-story creating the history of the relationship between Connor and Duncan. The action sequences are good, and well filmed, and the acting is a touch above the norm for this series.
If you pay attention and commit yourself to this film, you will probably find that it pays off much more powerfully than you expected, whether or not you were a fan or the original film or the TV series. Sure, this is a fan film. But, despite the insider themes, and the soap-opera complexity of some aspects of this, an attentive viewer will find food for thought and plenty to entertain. Maybe I'm insane, but maybe this film will be recognized in ten or fifteen years for the quality it brought back to a great imaginative fiction franchise.