Highlander: Endgame (2000)

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

Director:

Douglas Aarniokoski

Writers:

Gregory Widen (characters), Eric Bernt (story)

Stars:

Christopher Lambert, Adrian Paul, Bruce Payne

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adrian Paul	...	Duncan MacLeod
Christopher Lambert	...	Connor MacLeod
Bruce Payne	...	Jacob Kell
Lisa Barbuscia	...	Kate MacLeod / Faith
Donnie Yen	...	Jin Ke
Jim Byrnes	...	Joe Dawson
Peter Wingfield	...	Methos
Damon Dash	...	Carlos
Beatie Edney	...	Heather MacLeod
Sheila Gish	...	Rachel Ellenstein
Oris Erhuero	...	Winston
Ian Paul Cassidy	...	Cracker Bob
Adam Copeland	...	Lachlan (as Edge)
Mihnea Trusca	...	Villager
June Watson	...	Caiolin MacLeod

Storyline

When Connor MacLeod sees his old friend Rachel die in an explosion, he's had it with his immortal life and the endless pain it brings him and those he loves. He locks himself inside the Sanctuary, a Watcher-organized retreat stationed on holy ground, where immortals who are tired of the game can go to forever escape it, as well as to ensure that The Prize never falls into the wrong hands. But when an old enemy, Jacob Kell, and his posse of assassins attack the Sanctuary and kill everyone there but Connor, he is forced out into the open and into battle. Kell and Connor were friends once, and knew each other back when Connor was cast from Glenfinnan; he returned when news came that his mother was to be burned at the stake, and in the attempt to free her, Kell was killed by none other than Connor himself, and became an immortal, bitter with hate, and devoted to making Connor's life a living hell. In the present day, Connor's kinsman Duncan MacLeod is attacked by Kell's posse, including ...

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Plot Keywords:

immortality | sword fight | sequel | decapitation | highlander character | 

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Taglines:

The Ultimate Battle Against the Forces of Darkness!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and some strong sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Davis-Panzer Dimension Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Scottish Gaelic

Release Date:

1 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Highlander 4: The Search for Connor

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,223,330, 3 September 2000, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$12,801,190, 22 October 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Davis-Panzer Productions, Dimension Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 101 min (producer's cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was intended as a bridge between Highlander (1992) and Highlander: The Raven (1998). The TV series was cancelled, and cast availability problems caused production delays. Dimension Films soon realized that their plans for the film were not going to meet expectations, and scaled back on its release.

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Goofs

In the rooftop battle, the "B" in the sign appears reversed in one shot.

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Quotes

Jacob Kell: [speaking to Connor MacLeod] Look back at the endless travesties of your life, and you'll see me, always there waiting in the shadows. When friends and lovers are wiped from your sight, I'm there. When those you cherish die abruptly and for no reason, I'm there for you.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD cut has Duncan walking past a payphone on his way to Methos. He answers the phone, and a woman (later revealed as Faith) tells him, "Whatever you fear about Connor MacLeod, fear the worst." She identifies herself as "a friend" and hangs up. As Duncan walks away, we see the Watcher named Matthew sitting at a cafe spying on Duncan and saying into a cellphone, "He's on the move."

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Connections

Followed by Highlander: The Source (2007)

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Soundtracks

Bonny Portmore
Performed by Jennifer McNeil
Arranged and produced by Stephen Graziano
Recorded and mixed by Jeff Vaughn

User Reviews

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!