Highlander II: The Renegade Cut (1991)
Director: Russell Malcahy
Starring: Christopher Lambert, Michael Ironside, Virginia Madsen, Sean Connery
Primary genre: Science fiction
“Highlander II” will go down in history as the weirdest sequel to a successful film, a vehicle that trumped what came before for unknown reasons. Usually sequels are inferior products because the filmmakers over-rely on action scenes (“The Matrix Reloaded” (2003)), dilute the tone to capture younger audiences (e.g., “Batman Forever” (1995)) or a brand new team has taken over (e.g., “Mission Impossible 2” (2000)). “The Quickening” avoided all three and along with a (very) generous budget and serious fan hype, it had a few things going in its favor. Yet, what director, producers and the cast did not know was the disaster they were walking into, one for the history books.
Through a series of extraordinary circumstances that require an entire separate entry here, “Highlander II” was a catastrophe; reshoots, crew miscommunication and set shenanigans were a few of the gigantic problems which the production encountered in Argentina(!). Once released, “The Quickening” did not make sense and has been relentlessly mocked since its debut 5 years after the original became a cult phenomenon. The novel idea of sword-battling-immortals was a cool one with a simplified but highly effective mythology to propel the story forward. So why the script features aliens, ozone layers, sorcerers and distant planets is beyond a mere cinephile’s understanding. And it is truly a shame as Connor McLeod remains a compelling character who has the potential for genuine pathos; an immortal cursed to walk the earth watching everyone he loves to writhe and die while he navigates the course of human history. However, the (let’s pretend there is one) script is not interested in such philosophical and existential dilemmas presenting a telegraphic story with the most basic of ingredients, the tedious editing keeping it barely afloat.
“Things don’t change, Katana, I like that. After all these years, you’re still a jerk.”
Things happen in “Highlander II” because … they happen in a blatant display of we-have-no-movie-so-we-try-our-best-to-do-something. The love story is preposterous, Virginia Madsen’s character is literally a gorgeous stand in for … something one can suppose, Michael Ironside’s Katana has absolutely no motive whatsoever and Sean Connery’s Ramirez returns only to conduct two irrelevant fish-out-of-water segments and to disappear again. If you add the ludicrous idea that McLeod somehow became a scientist who created a shield to protect mankind from the sun and a corrupt company controlling the world’s economy, you will be wishing you had a crack at continuing the Scotsman’s life story. The whole film is so bananas you have to admire the sheer tenacity and genuine madness of everyone involved including director Russell Malcahy who pursued this “Renegade Version” to salvage what he could. Never before such a tiresome motion picture has fundamentally misinterpreted its own universe to the benefit of no one. McLeod to Outer Space this is.
A vast improvement though over its theatrical predecessor, Malcahy’s cut flows easier with a clear protagonist and antagonist despite obvious editing where people alternate haircuts or sets sport different lighting. At least we have that. And to be fair, “Highlander II” does boast some genuinely impressive and ambitious production design which bears a more grounded “Blade Runner” (1982) aesthetic in its rain and poverty stricken streets amidst a collection of decayed neoclassical buildings. The cinematography is great too and Malcachy makes the most of his disorienting sets with dynamic camerawork that manages to capture a few cool shots here and there. The action is ok too under superb pyrotechnics (e.g., an ambitious melee with two flying subordinates probably cost the entire budget) and Katana could have been a badass villain if he had more “serious” screentime and less OTT acting from Ironside’s (intentional) part.
Unscathed perhaps in this madness of aliens, planets far far away, greedy corporations and ozone layers, is the Lambert/Connery duo both bringing natural charisma in their respective roles with fans wishing to explore further their relationship in this modern/futuristic era. But that was not meant to be. “Highlander II” is not the worst sequel ever made and there are figments of genuine passion behind its technical scenes. Evident hints of charm do exist in its presentation and even the film itself being released can be seen as a cinematic monument considering the dreadful problems which plagued it. It might be ultimately a hollow, confusing (and expensive) mess of a sequel that does not justify its existence but there is unintentionally a method inside its delirium. You can’t take your eyes of it due to its amplified and ugly absurdity.
The weirdest sequel of all time
+Lavish production
+Stylish shots
+There is charm in its ugliness
+Lambert/Connery
-Non existent script
-Tonal and editing inconsistencies
-Wasted Sean Connery
-Scenes just happen
-OTT villain