Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
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Highlander II: The Quickening is the 1991 sequel to the 1986 film Highlander, which pitted immortal Connor MacLeod against an evil immortal at an event known as the Gathering. Director Russell Mulcahy returns for the sequel, as does Christopher Lambert as MacLeod. The film was less successful than the first, with a rather dubious and other-worldly plot and a low level of special effects reducing it to a more cult status than a commercial success.
Follwing the events of Highlander, Connor MacLeod (Lambert) joins forces with scientists to protect a dying ozone. With much of the world unprotected against the sun, they construct a shield, which protects the planet, but has the side effect of causing eternal night. Years on, in 2024, MacLeod is visited in a vision by his old friend Ramirez (Connery) and he sees the evil of General Katana (Michael Ironside), who is on course to find MacLeod and destroy him. MacLeod teams up with his old friend to defeat Katana, but this is a foe stronger than either of them expected.
The film has a rather strange plot, as you can see, and I found it hard to follow and see the point. Essentially, it gives a little background on how the world has changed since the first film, and then pits Connor against a new foe, Katana. Lambert is less convincing as Connor than he was in the first film, but Sean Connery is on form as the charismatic Ramirez. Michael Ironside is excellent as a villain, although there are some cheesy scenes where perhaps the stunt choreograophy lacks a little and the special effects department kind of lets them down in many ways.
The film had a relatively cordial reception upon release, and I can see why. A plot featuring entire darkness on earth needs a little more than some sombre performances and impressive fighting to lift it - perhaps this is where it went wrong. However, if you are in the right mood to watch something dark and cult, then this is the film for you.
I was impressed with this film in terms of its handling of a mediochre plot. Anyone who was a fan of Highlander is likely to enjoy it, although perhaps not as much as the first film. There are elements of genius, and Lambert's portrayal of an immortal wishing he was mortal is very good, although this doesn;t make for very exciting viewing.
In conclusion, this is a well made film which has some dodgy parts and perhaps wasn't handled with an overall audience in mind. It is definitely targeted as those who enjoyed the first film. If you weren't aware of the first film, this is likely to hold little interest. The film gets a medichre 3 star review from me. I would have liked to have seen more done with the script, but for what it offered, it is a good film.
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Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
In this labyrinthine sequel the Immortal MacLeod saves the people of Earth from immanent ... more
ozone layer-related destruction by building a shield that deflects sunlight. But the people of Earth aren't especially grateful as the constant state of night ha...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Years after battling the Kurgan in Scotland and New York, Conner MacLeod and his suave ... more
mentor, Juan Villa-Lobos Ramirez, are back, tracking time-warps and new adventures in this all action sequel, again directed by Russell Mulcahy.The Kurgan may have v...
![Highlander 2 - The Quickening [DVD] [1991]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/80180635.jpg "Highlander 2 - The Quickening [DVD] [1991]")
Nov 9th, 2008
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