Highlander: Endgame (2000)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

Douglas Aarniokoski

Writers (WGA):

Gregory Widen (characters)
Eric Bernt (story) ...

Release Date:

1 September 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

For centuries, we've been told there can be only one.

Plot:

Immortals Connor and Duncan Macleod must join forces against Kell, an evil immortal who has become too strong for anyone to face alone.

Plot Keywords:

Immortal | Revenge | Good Versus Evil | Katana | Levitation

Cast

Christopher Lambert	...	Connor MacLeod
Adrian Paul	...	Duncan MacLeod
Bruce Payne	...	Jacob Kell
Mihnea Trusca	...	Villager
Lisa Barbuscia	...	Kate MacLeod / Faith
Donnie Yen	...	Jin Ke
Ian Paul Cassidy	...	Cracker Bob
Peter Wingfield	...	Methos
Damon Dash	...	Carlos
Beatie Edney	...	Heather MacLeod
Douglas Aarniokoski	...	Kirk
Jim Byrnes	...	Joe Dawson
Adam Copeland	...	Road bandit (as Edge)
Sheila Gish	...	Rachel Ellenstein
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vasile Albinet	...	Head guards
Paul Bigley	...	Knave
Gabi Burlacu	...	Monk
Donald Douglas	...	Father Rainy
Oris Erhuero	...	Winston
Christopher Leps	...	Monk number 1
Thomas Lockyer	...	Matthew Hale
Jessica Mann	...	Rachel #1 (8 years old)
Charmian May	...	Lady
John Medlen	...	Hooded monk
David Nicholls	...	Drunk Friend
Daniel Parker	...	Puffer
Vernon Rieta	...	Manny (Hawaiian Immortal)
Tony Swift	...	Malaki
Liviu Timus	...	Executioner

Also Known As:

Highlander 4: The Search for Connor (USA) (working title)
Highlander IV (USA) (working title)
Highlander IV: World Without End (USA) (working title)
Highlander: A New Order (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for bloody violence, some strong sexuality and language. (all new exclusive cut)

Runtime:

87 min | Australia:88 min | USA:101 min (producer's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Scottish Gaelic

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | USA:R (certificate #37683) | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Singapore:R21 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | Spain:13 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Appin, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK

Company:

Davis-Panzer Productions

Trivia:

In the theatrical version of the film, Methos refers to the Sanctuary as Holy Ground. Many fans were upset that Kell killed Immortals on Holy Ground with no consequences, So all references to the Sanctuary as Holy Ground were deleted from the DVD version of the movie.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Connor discovers Duncan after the Battle of Glen Fruin, the caption says that it is the year 1625. The Battle of Glen Fruin took place in 1602, 23 years earlier.

Quotes:

Kate MacLeod: Until the day we are reborn.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004)

Soundtrack:

Bonny Portmore

Finally a sequel

After the "Alien Experience" and the "Remake Sequel", "Highlander" producers decided to add two and two and get someone to write a marvellous script. They went on with the mathematics, and got together Christopher Lambert and Adrian Paul. The result is the long-expected good sequel to the first "Highlander", set after "The Series" ended.

Tired of the endless fights, Connor MacLeod enters the Sanctuary, a place where immortals can rest forever under the guard of the Watchers. However, an old foe of Connor releases him after killing all the other immortals in that place. Not pleased with this, this foe and his posse pays a visit to Duncan MacLeod, who gets away and looks for his clansman. Both MacLeods have sins to purge, and the time has come to do that.

Christopher Lambert, though intended to have a supportive role like Sean Connery in the original film, robs the movie. Though his Connor is hardly the same bad ass of the other films, it's by far the best performance in the film. Adrian Paul manages to lead the film well, like in the TV series. Bruce Payne, playing the embittered Jacob Kell, provides a fine interpretation that is however in the line of the other "Highlander" villains. Lisa Barbuscia as Kate MacLeod is somewhat fine, but I'm inclined to believe the only reason "Fishlips" got cast is her willingness to show her breasts.

The character of the film is indeed Jin Ke, played by Donnie Yen. However brief his presence on screen may be, he manages to give a very good impression, as well as some action. Another two characters worth mentioning are Rachel (the late Sheila Gish) and Heather (Beatie Edney), who appear again in a "Highlander" film. Briefly, but it's something.

Why don't I give it a 10? First, the first film (which indeed deserves a 10) is superior to this one. Secondly, the editing of the film is weak. It's not the one of "Highlander II: The Quickening" but this one has some big flaws. In any case, "Highlander Endgame" is a great film, with more action and entertainment than the other sequels, and it's a great choice even for non fans.

Seven!