Highlander 2 (Highlander II: The Quickening) (1991)

[moviemaker]

I noticed there is no official thread for this film.

A much-maligned movie, I saw this in the theater as a kid in 1991. I was immediately struck by how similar some of the hoverboard/flying sequences were to Duran Duran's "The Wild Boys" (1985) music video, also directed by Russell Mulcahy. Apparently, someone else made a similar connection as they mention both similarities between the two in this article below.

Music Video Mastery - Wild Boys: https://www.semutamusic.com/post/mus...tery-wild-boys

The film and music video seem like an exercise in style over substance. They are equally incoherent. But I have a soft spot for films that go for mood and tone, even if they fail miserably. I've always thought this film reminded me of the film "Moon in the Gutter" (1983) directed by Jean-Jacques Bieniex, which is also all style and no story, and from the French Cinema Du Look period.

Another thing I recently noticed is the font used in the credits for Highlander 2: The Quickening (1991) looks almost identical to the credits in DUNE (1984). Virginia Madsen is in both so I screen-grabbed her credit (I posted this in the DUNE '84 thread as well):




Highlander 2 feels like ideas that were lying around in Russell Mulcahy's sketchbook since the '80s and the success from the first Highlander gave him the confidence he needed to go wild and turn those ideas into reality. Highlander 2 feels like a movie that belongs more in the '80s than 1991.

[Surge92]

Is there a version of this movie available on blu-ray without the added CGI?

[moviemaker]

Originally Posted by Surge92

Is there a version of this movie available on blu-ray without the added CGI?

Unfortunately, the "Theatrical Version" is only available on DVD.

The movie is set in the futuristic year 2024! Here's hoping that with the release of Highlander in 4K, and 2024 just around the corner, Russell Mulcahey might be inspired to revisit this movie (I can't even call it a sequel) for a 4K remaster. But I doubt it.

[DR Herbert West]

Still the best sequel.

[AdmiralNoodles]

Originally Posted by Surge92

Is there a version of this movie available on blu-ray without the added CGI?

The Olive Films BD release ISN'T the 1996 Renegade Version but the 2004 one? Was about to go out of my way to track down a hopefully inexpensive copy of it. Glad I didn't go full throttle on the search for it yet.

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Still the best sequel.

Even though both cuts of III ignore 2/II and treats itself as a direct sequel to the first one, I heavily prefer the latter cuts of 2/II. AGREED. The Zeist stuff was interesting but I blame it on the production getting out of control because of the situation in Argentina. "Seduced by Argentina" documentary (50:03) of course covers it perfectly.
Am glad I was able to buy the Lionsgate BD for free earlier this year, store credit at a second hand shoppe used but the price was $7 on it, since I had sold the 2-Disc DVD of it in late 2000s.
No, I've still yet to see 4, even though it takes itself more as a sequel to the TV show and random Connor MacLeod no idea of the continuity for him, and I don't even know if I want to see 5. Still a fan of the TV show except the last season wasn't all that interesting, and never got around to watching the single season spin-off. Have seen a handful of the animated series, it's forgettable, and the anime movie was decent.

So, currently own the below:

Debating on even getting this if it's still the 2004 Version and not the 1996 Renegade Version. DVDCompare.net lists it as being the 2004 Version.:

Should rebuy because of the commentary:


Would be awesome if ARROW or KINO or someone other than Shout/Scream were able to release this on 4K. No idea if seamless branching could be possible with the 2004 cut on the same disc as the Theatrical and 1996 Renegade Version. The two earlier cuts maybe sharing the same 4K disc with seamless branching perhaps. As long as it carries over all legacy bonus features, OG cinema audio in lossless where applicable for the differing versions.

[Vixen of the Night]

Even though the movie is a disaster. It's an interesting disaster and has such a great troubled production history, that it's fascinating.

I'd love for a release that contained the original 1991 theatrical version and the later Renegade Version/Director's Cut. It has some cheese moments to offer in both versions, and it should all be available for posterity sake instead of buried.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by Surge92

Is there a version of this movie available on blu-ray without the added CGI?

Pretty sure all Blu-ray releases are the 2004 "Special Edition." The 1995 "Renegade Version" never even got an anamorphic DVD, and the US and European theatrical cuts have had a handful of DVD releases in various countries, but never in the US (and I don't believe the European cut has been released with its original English-language track since laserdisc, and even then only in Hong Kong).

I mentioned some of this in the Highlander I UHD thread, but I have a weird affection for Highlander II. I actually prefer it to the competent-but-bland III, and the incompetent-and-dull Endgame (I've never seen The Source). II at least feels like a real movie (mostly), and its script is so nonsensical it might be brilliant.

[FlexMentallo]

Highlander was one of my favorite movies in my teens.

Still remember seeing a little blurb in a Starlog magazine for a Highlander sequel called Yellowknife and it being Blade Runner influenced many years before Highlander 2 eventually arrived and disappointed.

I should rewatch it at some point, I know I saw the Renegade Cut on DVD many, many years ago but I barely remember any of it at this point.

[moviemaker]

Originally Posted by BNex99

I mentioned some of this in the Highlander I UHD thread, but I have a weird affection for Highlander II. I actually prefer it to the competent-but-bland III, and the incompetent-and-dull Endgame (I've never seen The Source). II at least feels like a real movie (mostly), and its script is so nonsensical it might be brilliant.

You perfectly articulated exactly how I feel about Highlander II compared to the rest of the “sequels.”

I like to think of original Highlander as a one-off and Highlander II is its own unique film that just happens to be couched in the Highlander Universe. It’s aiming for a sort of baroque quality not unlike Lynch’s DUNE, though for me not as successful. At least HII tries to take it in a new and unique direction as opposed to regurgitating the tropes from the first film. I doubt this film could be made today and that makes me appreciate it all the more.

[Surge92]

I actually never even saw the movie, but I remember when the trailer played in previews back in '91, especially the part where Sean Connery says, "Greetings, highlander. You called?"

[gardengirl1331]

This is another movie where I saw II before the first one, so while I do prefer the original this has a special place in my heart.

[Talyn]

Originally Posted by gardengirl1331

This is another movie where I saw II before the first one, so while I do prefer the original this has a special place in my heart.

This is pretty much me as well.

[moviemaker]

Now that Henry Cavill is no longer Superman or the Witcher, perhaps he could play Connor MacLeod if they ever do a reboot. I'm joking of course. But it wouldn't surprise me if someone thought of doing this...

Edit: Funny, I just did a search and there is a reboot in the works. Cavill is indeed the frontrunner for this and the director is Chad Stahelski – director of the John Wick films. I had no idea! So strange.

[moviemaker]

For anyone interested here is the "Theatrical Version" of Highlander II on YouTube.

It seems to do a much better job of setting up the story regarding the ozone layer as the movie opens in 1999.

While the Renegade cut opens with a series of title cards to explain the state of the world then jumps right into 2024 (which feels as if the filmmakers are attempting to emulate Blade Runner.)

Highlander 2: The Quickening (Theatrical Cut) - YouTube

The problem seems to be Conner as a character.

In Highlander, he's consumed by loss and has forsaken loving anyone again, including himself. So the whole movie is about him learning to love again and in the process forgiving himself.

In Highlander II, they make him out to be this industrialist akin to Tony Stark, Elon Musk, or maybe even Oppenheimer. His invention makes him a savior of the human race, but it also becomes their curse and his own personal albatross. Too much of a good thing leads to corruption. It's all very messianic. Even to the point where he is ready to pass away until Katana sends his minions to earth (the future) and in the process reawakens Connor and his immortality.

The scope of Highlander II is too big and unwieldy as if they felt the pressure to surpass the first one, losing sight of what made the original a classic. The first movie used the city of New York and Scotland but is really a simple story about the characters. This movie feels like it was all shot on sound stage 12 and is only focused on world-building, to the detriment of character.

[DR Herbert West]

#bringbackzeist

[moviemaker]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

#bringbackzeist

Ha! Love it.

[Jedihunter]

I'm curious has anyone bought the Japanese release which boasts a new video master and apparently has two cuts of the film? Shame either way this film is Oop now. Such a entertaining film

[moviemaker]

Originally Posted by Jedihunter

I'm curious has anyone bought the Japanese release which boasts a new video master and apparently has two cuts of the film? Shame either way this film is Oop now. Such a entertaining film

I only know that on the Japanese release, the "Theatrical" version is on the DVD and the format is 4:3

Here are the specs:

2 disc set (Blu-ray + DVD)

Disc.1 [Complete director's cut/Blu-ray specification] 1990/USA/Color/Main story 110 minutes + bonus video 1 minute/16:9[1080p Hi-Def] Cinema size (main story only)/1 layer/ Audio 1. English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0ch surround 2. Japanese dubbing (TV broadcast version) Dolby Digital 2ch monaural/subtitles 1. Japanese subtitles, 2. Subtitles for Japanese dubbing (TV broadcast version)

Disc.2 [Theatrical version/DVD specifications] Main story 90 minutes/color/single-sided single layer/audio 1. English Dolby Digital 2.0ch stereo 2. Japanese dubbing (soft version) Dolby Digital 2.0ch stereo/4: 3LB Cinemascope / Subtitles 1. Japanese subtitles 2. Subtitles for Japanese dubbing (software version)

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by Jedihunter

I'm curious has anyone bought the Japanese release which boasts a new video master and apparently has two cuts of the film? Shame either way this film is Oop now. Such a entertaining film

Originally Posted by moviemaker

I only know that on the Japanese release, the "Theatrical" version is on the DVD and the format is 4:3

And not only that, it's a pretty careless transfer. It appears to be the entire exposed picture area, so you can even see the camera matte box at times. (Even with anamorphic, you're not necessarily supposed to see the extreme edges of the picture.)

The video moviemaker posted above seems to be from the French DVD, which is at least anamorphic. But it is of course from a sped-up PAL master, and the English 5.1 soundtrack is botched in a really weird way.

Because I apparently have nothing better to do I took a look at the soundtrack in an editing program not long ago, and somehow the center channel goes in and out of sync with the rest of the channels throughout the movie. How this happened I have no idea, but it sounds noticeably flanged in many spots.

If you were able to slow down the French DVD to NTSC speed, and then sync it up with the Japanese DVD's stereo track, you'd have a pretty decent standard def copy of the theatrical cut.

[KevinStriker]

Given there seems to be no interest in even keeping the Special Edition Blu-ray in print, chances of this are nil but...
I'd give my left earring to see a Blu-ray set in the vein of Blade Runner (this being the smartest sci-fi thriller since Blade Runner) with the original cut, Renegade Version, Special Edition and maybe an appropriately bootleggy VHS rip of the British theatrical version with the Fairy Tale ending.