I was an extra in this film. We called ourselves the feisty Zeistys. We left town at 3 AM and didn't get the first shot in until after noon. Weird time, and hot as an oven on the desert, but I had a lot of fun.
Such a guilty pleasure movie, I keep telling myself it's a dream or a book that Connor's writing while living in that super-expensive apartment in New York City, lol.
“And then Connor kills the bad guy from Total Recall and makes the shield generator explode.” “Ugh, what next Connor? Are you going to get menaced by the blue lipstick guy from Dungeons and Dragons?” “Stop looking at my notes!”
@@jonnyhiggins1143 Rate them from bad to good. For me it's the source, highlander 2 original cut (aliens seriosuly?), highlander 3, highlander 4 (only this high up the list because i like the tv series), highlander 2 renegade (again only this high up because of connery), and highlander 1.
@@mepm Interesting. I have never actually seen the original cut of Highlander 2 but I've seen some of the scenes on RUclips that were excised from Renegade/Special FX cut. Highlander 2 does have some genuinely fun moments and Lambert/Connery are great together. My ranking from worst to best: Source, Endgame, 2, 3, and then 1. 3 and 4 switch depending on my mood. I think there are some great scenes in part 3 and a wonderful score. Mario Van Peebles was so over the top and brings that whole movie down. His voice is so absurd in that role. But I adore the Adrian Paul series so sometimes I rank Endgame higher than part 3.
Highlander, the movie about a Frenchman (raised in Switzerland, moved back to France as a teen) cast as a Scotsman who was trained by a Spaniard who was an actual Scotsman... Someone in the casting missed a memo ^_^
I was so young when Highlander 2 came out I was able to just accept, OK they're from space now. Because of that I've always loved this movie. It's beautifully shot and even the theatrical cut is rad.
I love this move. More just because it was the first highlander movie I watched. The crazy dystopian future, Michael Ironside, thou he could have been used better. His death was so lame. But the train scene!
I will admit that Highlander 2 was a big mess of a film. However, the atmosphere looks pretty cool, anytime you see Sean Connery hamming it up on screen is a plus, the dreadlock Twins were comical, and Michael Ironside is damn awesome in this film.
This film could have worked The first film is about a immortal from 500 years ago in our time. However for the sequel just go with the renegade version and that they from a long away past with technology where we get the whole truth about the game. Connor and Ramirez both get banished into another timeline to be born again but Connor has amnesia and Ramirez since he’s an older immortal with great power is able to retain his place but had to explain to the Connor of 500 years ago in our time to help his mind adapt.
Wow. Great analysis! Highlander 2 has always held a special place in my heart ever since I first saw it at age 13 and couldn’t over how bizarre it was. I just couldn’t understand how someone thought this would be mainstream. A couple of notes though. There was another version you didn’t mention that circulated on American TV in the 90s. It was the American version, but with the British ending tacked on. I saw that on some UHF station. It was definitely not the British version. The two sword fights were combined into one and they didn’t go above the shield. Also, the version you refer to as the special effects version has a gun battle scene missing that was present in the renegade version. Also of note, the film’s story is co-credited to Brian Clemens of The Avengers TV show and Capt. Cronos Vampire Hunter. Thanks again for the review!
I remember watching the original once released on VHS and thought it was almost the Star Wars of the 80's. (I was very impressionable). I couldn't wait to see it's sequel in '91. I should have.
I still want a Renegade Zeist cut. I want a version with the missing footage plus the Zeist stuff, including the return to Zeist ending. I mean, the movie doesn't work as a Highlander sequel at all, but as an Elseworlds "What if?" Story featuring the cast of Highlander... it looks kinda cool and has some fun moments from Dr. Cox and Michael Ironsides. But, it doesn't really work without the Zeist stuff.
Loved this video! I’ve been a huge Highlander fan since the show, but grew to love the films even more. You should do other the Highlander films. After hearing the second one was the last big budget film it got me curious about the rest. The third may have had a smaller budget, but is much more in line with the original. Then it really starts going off the rails with Endgame. You should do a WTF on that. And the last film also tries to shove a bunch of sci-fi down your throat like the second. Though, It isn’t the worst film in the series, but it may actually be the most WTF.
I've only ever seen the first Highlander and the TV series so I thoroughly enjoyed this. Especially after hearing so much about the sequel. Need a WTF happened on the 3rd movie now!!
Nice video...even though there's another cut of the movie - the European cut (as in "the movie that was released in Continental Europe"), which is essentially a mix of the US and UK versions. It starts like the American edition and mostly sticks to it (as far as I remember - I still have it on tape, but I haven't watched it in ages), but has some stuff from the UK edition, including that weird "walking through the stars" ending.
@@WhiskeyBrewer I think Bruce and Kevin were on that track as well, so it was Shadow King before the Shadow King album was released. That was a good album as well.
I saw this many times as a kid. For some reason Hungarian TV played it a lot. I always liked it, especially the sky aspect. Still, the TV series was the best. Why I went to Scotland in 2010.
@@jonsimpson9640 I hope I can return again sometime. I can never tire of the beauty of Scotland. Plus back then I wasn't vlogging, so I'd like to make up for that.
It felt like a SciFi film that had the Highlander brand crowbarred in just to sell it. Its weird to think that it was always designed as a Highlander sequel.
I remember seeing this when it came out and going "wtf?" as soon as someone said the word "Zeist". However the striking look of the film, a few of the action set pieces and Michael Ironside's outsized performance as the villain carried it along, at least enough for my 12-year-old brain to not get too bored or confused. Having seen the Renegade Cut a few years ago, it's hard to say whether it's actually an improvement; the desperate leaps of logic, ret-conned character stories and corny dialogue remain, the sword fights are mostly unspectacular and the whole "we must destroy the energy-shield" plot strand still adds up to nothing.
JoBlo Horror Videos I think I need to correct you on something: the effects cut did not make it's first appearance on the 2013 blu ray, it actually first appeared on the 2004 special edition Lionsgate/Republic 2 disc DVD set which I do own and that 2013 blu ray isn't Highlander 2's first blu ray release since Lionsgate released an older blu ray version before Olive Films got the rights but both blu rays(including the 2004 DVD) are OOP now. This movie is a bit hard to get now.
Then there also was an animated Highlander movie Highlander the adventure begins. There also was the live action Highlander tv series which takes place in an alternate time line continuity wise the takes place after the ending of the first movie. It had an insanely long run before it ended. 119 episodes over 6 seasons aired over a 5 to 7 year period it started in 1992 and the finale 6th thirteen episode season began and end midway through 97 our 99.
1989: Dragon Ball Z comes out and reveals that the franchise's magical protagonist is actually an extraterrestrial from a planet with a silly name. No one bats an eye. 1991: Highlander II comes out and reveals that the franchise's magical protagonist is actually an extraterrestrial from a planet with a silly name. Everyone loses their minds. I have to wonder if Highlander II would've escaped the extreme backlash if they had dropped the futuristic setting and focused on the alien plot exclusively (or vice versa, for that matter).
went to see this when it came out, very strange to watch it but it wasn't boring, fast paced with lots of action and fun from the lead actors(Lambert, Connery and Ironside). For another Lambert classic if you haven't already check out FORTRESS which was made here in Australia
Along with the Rogue cut the documentary is very good. You have to applaud what Mulcahy managed to do...but, It does make you wonder if any of this will be incorporated into the proposed remake?! Unfortunately, the question around immortals will always come up. Hopefully they address this.
Fascinating&highly clarifying vid. THANKS JoBlo for giving me ultimate insight into a,as a movie buff AND HIGHLANDER hardcore fan,sad compromising story for ME to endure through the last three decades...😓 Back in the day,when practically no information was available,I defended this poor excuse of a Film based on articles in European movie mags such as Empire&Premiere, snapshots taken from the shooting AND my own sense&sensibility. &I've always affirmed vehemently that that was NOT the movie as it was intended to be,that there was a better version concocted by SENSEI MULCAHY somewhere. A friend of mine came back from Germany in 1992 confirming there was an European version which was far better than the US crap incomprehensible cut (screened here in Brasil in 1991). I kept hoping for the ultimate version. NOW,almost THIRTY YEARS after the release of "HIGHLANDER II"& 4 versions later (which I've seen&own),I must sad& definitely state that the sequel is a mountain size pile of SHIT.💩 Failed script,lousy direction,terrible mis-en-scene&deeply embarrassing acting.🤢🤮 HIGHLANDER =1of the ALL TIME TEN MOVIES of my LIFE.✊🤘🤘🖤 THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE indeed.🔥
This is one of those movies that was hyped up to me as such a huge steaming pile that when I finally watched it I had a lot of fun with it. (Renegade cut, that is - the US Theatrical cut would have met those expectations had I seen it first) I was such a huge Highlander mark as a kid though, I would have taken anything.
Hey, any time I see anyone tearing into this flick, I'm down! And this movie fits the patter anyway. I mean it's horror(ble). What can I say about Highlander 2? The theatrical cut sucked. The Renegade cut wasn't special enough to make me change my mind about it. And an Effects Cut is just polishing a turd. I mean, the entire movie isn't dreck. But, Zeist was stupid. I mean, it makes me even more befuddled thinking the creators of the original came up with that crap. I mean, you could say they were aliens. But the whole fact they knew each other and were just battling for eternity on a prison world. It's been done....Better. Nordic mythology, anyone? The rest of the Renegade cut really isn't terrible. Except for one major problem to me. Michael Ironside running around in basically the same outfit and hair style as Lambert makes the scenes they're in fighting just look like a bunch of coats flashing around. Someone should have seen that and either got rid of the coats, lit it better, or make one character different enough from the other that there was no doubt who was who. Honestly, yes, there should have been only one.
I was so excited about this sequel I remember. And totally dissapointed when it managed to focus on all the wrong things. They could just have made an andventure from his past insted of ripping the ending from the first movie apart.
Remember seeing this in the Odeon Leicester Square, London with a load of mates from design college - we were all studying model making and film FX at the time and had all loved the first Highlander. We left the cinema in near silence and walked over to a nearby pub. All sat with pints in silence until one of us said 'What the fuck was that?!'
@@Filthy_Larry it was so long ago I don’t remember. I do remember that when we left the theater parking lot I almost wrecked my bike hitting a bunch of ice. So it must have been winter time and extra cold in Seattle.
Its one of the most bizarre sequels ever only second to rocky horror shows sequel (Its an utter disrespect of anything of the first) . Its just a weird weird sequel, confused and just bare relatable. I've seen it twice literally and that's twice to many.
According to the director: "I don’t really blame the writers. It’s just that the whole script was never completely filmed because of the financial problems. A lot of the ideas and stories were never shot, so the film is a bit of a patchwork. The bond company shut us down and brought in a butcher editor, and the film that was released just wasn’t finished. The first one I’m very proud of, but the second one I’m not, although it’s got some good moments.”
modded doom on the PC but shows picture of a Quake mod? as far as i can remember the ability to import real 3d objects came much later with some more recent source ports wtf
0:21 hey - I'm literally the guy from these memes you show at the beginning as I've always really hated this sequel. I've even considered it possibly the worst sequel in history...at least up until Disney desecrated Star Wars. I mean surely there are worse sequels, but this one had a cinematic look and you could see that they tried to make a good movie. I'm not considering sequels where the production didn't even try to make a good movie. The biggest problem of Highlander 2 is that the first movie ends in completelly conclussive way. One thing that always disturbed me, was the violation of the lore - the immortals being from another planet just did not allign well with the first movie. It should've been done different. I'm not sure though' how you could continue the story. Ow yeah - and Sean Connery just appearing out of nowhere only to die like in the middle of the film AGAIN, was not helping either :D
It’s funny how Highlander the series retcons the entire movie franchise all the way through endgame which I enjoyed. We won’t mention Highlander the source
I once told my son that he was not allowed to watch Highlander to until he was 21. Not because it was raunchy but because the only way you can view that movie is through bottle of whiskey.
I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for motivating me to give this train wreck of a movie one more go, otherwise I never would have seen that amazing subway scene. It's a scene of such horrific comic absurdity that manages to capture the entire essence of what that film is, both literally and metaphorically; it just may be one of my new all time favorite movie moments...
I think Highlander 2 is definitely in the category of 'sequels we and the series itself goes on to just ignore'. Highlander 3 is Highlander 1 re-done, but makes a point of erasing 2. As a sequel to Highlander is absolutely ridiculously stupid, but as I grow older, I must admit....there feels like there was a cool potential idea in here. Only issue is, it goes against the ending of the 1st. Had the Prize never been 'can grow old', the idea that Connor grew old enough to see a dystopian future would have been interesting. But 1 wrapped itself up so well a sequel was just never needed.
Great vid on a very complicated movie. I'm a huge fan of the series and have finally tracked down the original and 3 sequels. I've been trying to track down the us cut but I may have only found it on vhs, not sure. I had the first 3 on vhs and endgame on dvd but had all vanished over the years. Can't wait to jump back into the series. Awesome job with the vid 🤟🔥
The horror in this film is in, as you're only a few minutes into it, realizing that you can't figure out what the hell is going on. Your fellow RUclips movie reviewer @JasonBrant and his "So Bad It's Good" crew learned that the hard way.😅
Highlander 2 was a sequel that shouldn't had happened. Truly one of the worst movies ever made. It only happened because Highlander did well on VHS and Christopher Lambert wanted to work with Sean Connery again. Changing the story and the mythology of the Highlander universe which Connor McLeod and the immortals are extra terrestrials just didn't work. But, I can see Highlander 2 was a "What if?" exploring the idea of what if Connor McLeod was an alien from outer space? The writing was bad. General Katana was a terrible antagonist and was dumb and he lacked what made Kurgan a menacing and great villain. Virginia Madsen was hot and I am surprised to learn that she auditioned for Heather McLeod in the original Highlander. Christopher Lambert and the late Sean Connery were again great together and they did have chemistry and they looked like they were really having fun with their scenes. Highlander 2 could had been so much better. Highlander 3 was better and was the true sequel to Highlander. Highlander: The Search of Vengeance was Highlander 2 but done right. The original Highlander had the perfect ending and it should had ended there and maybe instead of sequels, prequels following Connor McLeod in his earlier years as a immortal following the deaths of Ramirez and Heather McLeod.
At least it's a fun movie...not good but at least not boring .Highlander is like Terminator a self contained high budgeted b movie and the story cannot be expanded easily unless if you're a genius like James Cameron.They should've gone the T2 route if they can bring back Ramirez why not the Kurgan for a rematch ?Maybe this time Kurgan after some initial fight becomes an ally to fight other more sinister immortals or maybe an Army of Immortals(not a 300 reference) , it would've been an epic twist...Ramirez was unnecessary it should've been just a brief cameo in the end and I would bring back the Kurgan instead but as an ally this time T2 style and have him beaten by Michael Ironside half way through ,this would raise the stakes for Highlander I think ...
I saw the original version many times. It was bad, yet somehow still entertaining. The Renegade version fixed a lot but didnt really make it a better film.
This franchise for me needs rebooting. So much potential in highlander that was wasted. Even the tv show didn't know how good their concept was and missed a real opportunity to make it great. Hollywood remakes films that don't need to, and have been dredging through 80s movie for a while now. Its only a matter of time i suppose. An r18 reboot would be cool.
I don't think any potential was wasted. You said it yourself Hollywood doesn't need to remake films and this is a prime example. Any reboot attempt would only result in disappointment. The original film is good enough, accept it for what it is and move on. Highlander 2 was a failed cash grab and a reboot wouldn't be any different.
Love the film, love the recut film. It makes no sense but I don’t care, it’s a guilty pleasure. A greasy pizza topped with ingredients you shouldn’t think too much about, but it tastes so good.
well it was a mess but It could have been good should they have changed a few things. - Bad guy purpose. Really all they had to do was have the rebels win the second uprising so the bad guys used the transport as a means to escape his fate. The main bad guy should have killed Remirez. Katana Ultimate resolve should have been getting the quickening to rule the place since he is now stock on earth. - I mean all Remirez had to do was run to the door. durp.... - The biggest yikes is Zeist retconning the original. An alternative using the same premises would be a soul merge. Basically have a counter part on earth that the ones on Zeist join souls with. This way the event of the counter part on earth don't really change. Their first death is the point of the merge. These 3 key things would make the movie coherent.
@@shadowofthestatue Actually the updated blue shield version he's talking about first appeared on the 2004 special edition DVD, then it came on blu ray years later.
Take it for what you will. At a Gen Con shortly after it was released I was buying Highlander merchandise and asked if it was a licensed. The person explained that it was he was the only person officially licensed to produce Highlander bumper stickers. I asked him if he knew what the hell happened with the sequel. What he told me was that the directors had put out a Bible and a request for scripts. One of the statements in the Bible was that Sean Connery cost way too much and there were going to be no flashbacks to Ramirez. They received word that the Japanese market would guarantee a certain number of weeks of release, which would guarantee them a certain amount of money if the movie had Sean Connery at it for at least, I think it was 25%. They had received one script that had Sean Connery in the movie for at least 25% and they need a script approved in order to sign the overseas deal, which would guarantee them enough money to put Sean Connery in the movie.
I was an extra in this film. We called ourselves the feisty Zeistys.
We left town at 3 AM and didn't get the first shot in until after noon. Weird time, and hot as an oven on the desert, but I had a lot of fun.
My favorite Highlander sequel is Endgame. Purely because Connor and Duncan share the screen once again.
Such a guilty pleasure movie, I keep telling myself it's a dream or a book that Connor's writing while living in that super-expensive apartment in New York City, lol.
“And then Connor kills the bad guy from Total Recall and makes the shield generator explode.”
“Ugh, what next Connor? Are you going to get menaced by the blue lipstick guy from Dungeons and Dragons?”
“Stop looking at my notes!”
Highlander II is a freaking masterpiece compared to The Source.
I thought I was the only one who saw Highlander V. Let's start a support group.
@@jonnyhiggins1143 Rate them from bad to good. For me it's the source, highlander 2 original cut (aliens seriosuly?), highlander 3, highlander 4 (only this high up the list because i like the tv series), highlander 2 renegade (again only this high up because of connery), and highlander 1.
@@mepm Interesting. I have never actually seen the original cut of Highlander 2 but I've seen some of the scenes on RUclips that were excised from Renegade/Special FX cut. Highlander 2 does have some genuinely fun moments and Lambert/Connery are great together. My ranking from worst to best: Source, Endgame, 2, 3, and then 1. 3 and 4 switch depending on my mood. I think there are some great scenes in part 3 and a wonderful score. Mario Van Peebles was so over the top and brings that whole movie down. His voice is so absurd in that role. But I adore the Adrian Paul series so sometimes I rank Endgame higher than part 3.
Glad I skipped it.
@Evil Jesus No that was Highlander 4
Highlander, the movie about a Frenchman (raised in Switzerland, moved back to France as a teen) cast as a Scotsman who was trained by a Spaniard who was an actual Scotsman... Someone in the casting missed a memo ^_^
But he was Egyptian
@@Pop_Shepski indeed, I had forgotten that bit ^_^ that makes it even more hilarious... Not a lot of medieval Egyptians had a heavy Scottish accent...
@@nobodyuknow2490 I'm sure your accent would change over the centuries.
We didn't care about political correctness back then. Anyone could play anything
@@nobodyuknow2490 My personal head canon theory is he got lost in the Highlands looking for Connor for like, fifty years.
I live in the Caribbean and we still remember Highlander, El Inmortal. Was very epic.
I was so young when Highlander 2 came out I was able to just accept, OK they're from space now. Because of that I've always loved this movie. It's beautifully shot and even the theatrical cut is rad.
This film is a mess, and a huge betrayal of everything that the first one established. That said, I do find it a fun watch
Don’t forget about the last two films lol
Ave, True to Caesar
So many different versions. The perfect example of bigger is not always better.
I love this move. More just because it was the first highlander movie I watched. The crazy dystopian future, Michael Ironside, thou he could have been used better. His death was so lame. But the train scene!
I will admit that Highlander 2 was a big mess of a film. However, the atmosphere looks pretty cool, anytime you see Sean Connery hamming it up on screen is a plus, the dreadlock Twins were comical, and Michael Ironside is damn awesome in this film.
Agreed
This film could have worked
The first film is about a immortal from 500 years ago in our time. However for the sequel just go with the renegade version and that they from a long away past with technology where we get the whole truth about the game.
Connor and Ramirez both get banished into another timeline to be born again but Connor has amnesia and Ramirez since he’s an older immortal with great power is able to retain his place but had to explain to the Connor of 500 years ago in our time to help his mind adapt.
Wow. Great analysis! Highlander 2 has always held a special place in my heart ever since I first saw it at age 13 and couldn’t over how bizarre it was. I just couldn’t understand how someone thought this would be mainstream. A couple of notes though. There was another version you didn’t mention that circulated on American TV in the 90s. It was the American version, but with the British ending tacked on. I saw that on some UHF station. It was definitely not the British version. The two sword fights were combined into one and they didn’t go above the shield. Also, the version you refer to as the special effects version has a gun battle scene missing that was present in the renegade version. Also of note, the film’s story is co-credited to Brian Clemens of The Avengers TV show and Capt. Cronos Vampire Hunter. Thanks again for the review!
British Cut: "I have to go now - my planet needs me. But hey, come with?"
Its sad to see how much the studio meddled with this movie. To the point that the theatrical cut and the director's cut are two different films.
"Free men of the planet Zeist, hear me!"
"Free men of the planet Hirmy!"
“Meanwhile, on Zeist . . .”
I remember watching the original once released on VHS and thought it was almost the Star Wars of the 80's. (I was very impressionable). I couldn't wait to see it's sequel in '91. I should have.
I never complain when it comes any review from you, good sir. Horror or genre based, I enjoy your witty videos.
I appreciate you, dude
I still want a Renegade Zeist cut. I want a version with the missing footage plus the Zeist stuff, including the return to Zeist ending. I mean, the movie doesn't work as a Highlander sequel at all, but as an Elseworlds "What if?" Story featuring the cast of Highlander... it looks kinda cool and has some fun moments from Dr. Cox and Michael Ironsides. But, it doesn't really work without the Zeist stuff.
The "Rise of Skywalker" of the 90's.
Listening to nerds and it ruins the entire story
Loved this video! I’ve been a huge Highlander fan since the show, but grew to love the films even more.
You should do other the Highlander films. After hearing the second one was the last big budget film it got me curious about the rest. The third may have had a smaller budget, but is much more in line with the original. Then it really starts going off the rails with Endgame. You should do a WTF on that. And the last film also tries to shove a bunch of sci-fi down your throat like the second. Though, It isn’t the worst film in the series, but it may actually be the most WTF.
I got the US Cut and the first Renegade Cut. The film a guilty pleasure. I think I'd sooner watch it over the later sequels.
I just found u guys. Awesome BTS and great way to find films, i love these eighties and nineties movies.
I outright love this film. Not ironically, not even as a guilty pleasure cause I have no guilt. It's just so much fun from start to finish.
I've only ever seen the first Highlander and the TV series so I thoroughly enjoyed this. Especially after hearing so much about the sequel. Need a WTF happened on the 3rd movie now!!
Nice video...even though there's another cut of the movie - the European cut (as in "the movie that was released in Continental Europe"), which is essentially a mix of the US and UK versions. It starts like the American edition and mostly sticks to it (as far as I remember - I still have it on tape, but I haven't watched it in ages), but has some stuff from the UK edition, including that weird "walking through the stars" ending.
What about "One Dream" by Lou Gramm during the end credits? Great song!
Fantastic tune. Its essentially Shadow King credited to Lou Gramm. Yes that guitar work is Vivian Campbell
@@WhiskeyBrewer I think Bruce and Kevin were on that track as well, so it was Shadow King before the Shadow King album was released. That was a good album as well.
@@johneoff707 So underrated
Yea, It was shadow king even if still credited just to Lou
I've got DVDs of the Theatrical, Renegade and Producers (what you named the effects) cut. All so different and just cheesy good fun
I saw this many times as a kid. For some reason Hungarian TV played it a lot. I always liked it, especially the sky aspect.
Still, the TV series was the best. Why I went to Scotland in 2010.
I'm glad you visited my country, 'Highlander' has had a big impact on tourism and gives a fabulous impression
@@jonsimpson9640 I actually returned 5 years later. Edinburgh is one of my top 5 cities.
@@IzzysTravelDiaries I'm really pleased to hear that, Edinburgh (and Scotland as a whole) are remarkable and stunning places 🏴👍🏻
@@jonsimpson9640 I hope I can return again sometime. I can never tire of the beauty of Scotland. Plus back then I wasn't vlogging, so I'd like to make up for that.
@@IzzysTravelDiaries Scotland is neverending and I hope you find many more beautiful and fascinating places for your vlogging in the near future 😃
I saw Highlander 2 first and thought it was cool. Then I saw the original and was like, how t.f did they come up with 2?!
It felt like a SciFi film that had the Highlander brand crowbarred in just to sell it. Its weird to think that it was always designed as a Highlander sequel.
Please do the rest of the highlander films aswell
Good idea :)
@@JoBloHorrorOriginals no high profile channels have attempted the undertaking
I know Id be stoked
I remember seeing this when it came out and going "wtf?" as soon as someone said the word "Zeist". However the striking look of the film, a few of the action set pieces and Michael Ironside's outsized performance as the villain carried it along, at least enough for my 12-year-old brain to not get too bored or confused.
Having seen the Renegade Cut a few years ago, it's hard to say whether it's actually an improvement; the desperate leaps of logic, ret-conned character stories and corny dialogue remain, the sword fights are mostly unspectacular and the whole "we must destroy the energy-shield" plot strand still adds up to nothing.
JoBlo Horror Videos I think I need to correct you on something: the effects cut did not make it's first appearance on the 2013 blu ray, it actually first appeared on the 2004 special edition Lionsgate/Republic 2 disc DVD set which I do own and that 2013 blu ray isn't Highlander 2's first blu ray release since Lionsgate released an older blu ray version before Olive Films got the rights but both blu rays(including the 2004 DVD) are OOP now. This movie is a bit hard to get now.
Then there also was an animated Highlander movie Highlander the adventure begins. There also was the live action Highlander tv series which takes place in an alternate time line continuity wise the takes place after the ending of the first movie. It had an insanely long run before it ended. 119 episodes over 6 seasons aired over a 5 to 7 year period it started in 1992 and the finale 6th thirteen episode season began and end midway through 97 our 99.
You need to watch "The Renegade Cut" of Highlander 2, A MUCH better cut of the movie.
PS: Glad you added that, everyone forgets about that version.
1989: Dragon Ball Z comes out and reveals that the franchise's magical protagonist is actually an extraterrestrial from a planet with a silly name. No one bats an eye.
1991: Highlander II comes out and reveals that the franchise's magical protagonist is actually an extraterrestrial from a planet with a silly name. Everyone loses their minds.
I have to wonder if Highlander II would've escaped the extreme backlash if they had dropped the futuristic setting and focused on the alien plot exclusively (or vice versa, for that matter).
went to see this when it came out, very strange to watch it but it wasn't boring, fast paced with lots of action and fun from the lead actors(Lambert, Connery and Ironside). For another Lambert classic if you haven't already check out FORTRESS which was made here in Australia
You've played modded Doom but the picture shows modded Quake. Am i missing something here?
Along with the Rogue cut the documentary is very good. You have to applaud what Mulcahy managed to do...but, It does make you wonder if any of this will be incorporated into the proposed remake?! Unfortunately, the question around immortals will always come up.
Hopefully they address this.
The opening rant probably earned him an audit that year. The IRS doesn’t fuck around
Gotta give 'em credit for one thing; the costumes are still pretty cool.
Fascinating&highly clarifying vid.
THANKS JoBlo for giving me ultimate insight into a,as a movie buff AND HIGHLANDER hardcore fan,sad compromising story for ME to endure through the last three decades...😓
Back in the day,when practically no information was available,I defended this poor excuse of a Film based on articles in European movie mags such as Empire&Premiere, snapshots taken from the shooting AND my own sense&sensibility.
&I've always affirmed vehemently that that was NOT the movie as it was intended to be,that there was a better version concocted by SENSEI MULCAHY somewhere.
A friend of mine came back from Germany in 1992 confirming there was an European version which was far better than the US crap incomprehensible cut (screened here in Brasil in 1991).
I kept hoping for the ultimate version.
NOW,almost THIRTY YEARS after the release of "HIGHLANDER II"& 4 versions later (which I've seen&own),I must sad& definitely state that the sequel is a mountain size pile of SHIT.💩
Failed script,lousy direction,terrible mis-en-scene&deeply embarrassing acting.🤢🤮
HIGHLANDER =1of the ALL TIME TEN MOVIES of my LIFE.✊🤘🤘🖤
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE indeed.🔥
This is one of those movies that was hyped up to me as such a huge steaming pile that when I finally watched it I had a lot of fun with it. (Renegade cut, that is - the US Theatrical cut would have met those expectations had I seen it first) I was such a huge Highlander mark as a kid though, I would have taken anything.
Hey, any time I see anyone tearing into this flick, I'm down! And this movie fits the patter anyway. I mean it's horror(ble). What can I say about Highlander 2? The theatrical cut sucked. The Renegade cut wasn't special enough to make me change my mind about it. And an Effects Cut is just polishing a turd. I mean, the entire movie isn't dreck. But, Zeist was stupid. I mean, it makes me even more befuddled thinking the creators of the original came up with that crap. I mean, you could say they were aliens. But the whole fact they knew each other and were just battling for eternity on a prison world. It's been done....Better. Nordic mythology, anyone? The rest of the Renegade cut really isn't terrible. Except for one major problem to me. Michael Ironside running around in basically the same outfit and hair style as Lambert makes the scenes they're in fighting just look like a bunch of coats flashing around. Someone should have seen that and either got rid of the coats, lit it better, or make one character different enough from the other that there was no doubt who was who. Honestly, yes, there should have been only one.
I always felt that Highlander II (especially the Renegade Cut) seems to try and ape Tim Burton’s “Batman” stylistically.
I was so excited about this sequel I remember. And totally dissapointed when it managed to focus on all the wrong things. They could just have made an andventure from his past insted of ripping the ending from the first movie apart.
Remember seeing this in the Odeon Leicester Square, London with a load of mates from design college - we were all studying model making and film FX at the time and had all loved the first Highlander. We left the cinema in near silence and walked over to a nearby pub. All sat with pints in silence until one of us said 'What the fuck was that?!'
THE EFFECTS CUT was essentially THE SNYDER CUT
Changing the red sky for blue sky
I get it now! "The Quickening" was in reference to how quickly together the insurance company threw together the theatrical release
The part where Connery is getting a new suit, reminds me of The Rock movie.
This makes me wanna see you do one on the Justice League
If we do that, we'll get 50 trolls saying "Hey, this is not horror!" We'll see... :)
@@JoBloHorrorOriginals ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yeah, rewatched it just for the McGinley, a glorious Euorgy.
Huge fan of the original and we went to see this one on opening night... we were so sad. One of the only movies I've ever walked out on.
How long did you last?
@@Filthy_Larry it was so long ago I don’t remember. I do remember that when we left the theater parking lot I almost wrecked my bike hitting a bunch of ice. So it must have been winter time and extra cold in Seattle.
I remember watching this movie, not having a clue what was going on but I didn't care and enjoyed it all the same.
Its one of the most bizarre sequels ever only second to rocky horror shows sequel (Its an utter disrespect of anything of the first) . Its just a weird weird sequel, confused and just bare relatable. I've seen it twice literally and that's twice to many.
According to the director:
"I don’t really blame the writers. It’s just that the whole script was never completely filmed because of the financial problems. A lot of the ideas and stories were never shot, so the film is a bit of a patchwork. The bond company shut us down and brought in a butcher editor, and the film that was released just wasn’t finished. The first one I’m very proud of, but the second one I’m not, although it’s got some good moments.”
good work
I can’t believe they made this movie.
Ah... the movie with an Egyptian acting like a Spaniard with a Scottish accent...
modded doom on the PC but shows picture of a Quake mod? as far as i can remember the ability to import real 3d objects came much later with some more recent source ports wtf
Considering what this movie did to the Highlander franchise, I would say calling it a horror seems appropriate :)
Does anybody know where I can find the renegade version
Its on Amazon prime streaming. Its also the only physical version available
I’m probably the only person that’s only seen Highlander 2 and never Highlander 1.
Wait the minute, at 1:43 is that mr krab?
Thanks
Anyone else thinking Justice League??
Side note, Virginia madsen is smokin in this 🤘🏽. I had forgotten, what a babe.
0:21 hey - I'm literally the guy from these memes you show at the beginning as I've always really hated this sequel. I've even considered it possibly the worst sequel in history...at least up until Disney desecrated Star Wars. I mean surely there are worse sequels, but this one had a cinematic look and you could see that they tried to make a good movie. I'm not considering sequels where the production didn't even try to make a good movie. The biggest problem of Highlander 2 is that the first movie ends in completelly conclussive way. One thing that always disturbed me, was the violation of the lore - the immortals being from another planet just did not allign well with the first movie. It should've been done different. I'm not sure though' how you could continue the story. Ow yeah - and Sean Connery just appearing out of nowhere only to die like in the middle of the film AGAIN, was not helping either :D
The thing I could I could never understand about Highlander is why that actor played Highlander in the first place?
I like one, 3, and 4. But if i had to choose... the original Highlander and that's that🤷🏾♂️
Do Highlander The Source, the true horror!
The unrated version with the sex scene is hot 🔥 wth did they take that out in the first place 🤣
12:37 Free men of the planet Xyst hear me
Free men of the planet hear me. 😂😂😂😂
It’s funny how Highlander the series retcons the entire movie franchise all the way through endgame which I enjoyed. We won’t mention Highlander the source
Highlander 2: There Should Have Been Only One
I once told my son that he was not allowed to watch Highlander to until he was 21. Not because it was raunchy but because the only way you can view that movie is through bottle of whiskey.
I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for motivating me to give this train wreck of a movie one more go, otherwise I never would have seen that amazing subway scene. It's a scene of such horrific comic absurdity that manages to capture the entire essence of what that film is, both literally and metaphorically; it just may be one of my new all time favorite movie moments...
Argentina very close to bolivia their snow is gloriously powdery
I think Highlander 2 is definitely in the category of 'sequels we and the series itself goes on to just ignore'.
Highlander 3 is Highlander 1 re-done, but makes a point of erasing 2.
As a sequel to Highlander is absolutely ridiculously stupid, but as I grow older, I must admit....there feels like there was a cool potential idea in here. Only issue is, it goes against the ending of the 1st. Had the Prize never been 'can grow old', the idea that Connor grew old enough to see a dystopian future would have been interesting.
But 1 wrapped itself up so well a sequel was just never needed.
Great vid on a very complicated movie. I'm a huge fan of the series and have finally tracked down the original and 3 sequels. I've been trying to track down the us cut but I may have only found it on vhs, not sure. I had the first 3 on vhs and endgame on dvd but had all vanished over the years. Can't wait to jump back into the series. Awesome job with the vid 🤟🔥
"fun" is not an argument that makes a film watchable.
The horror in this film is in, as you're only a few minutes into it, realizing that you can't figure out what the hell is going on.
Your fellow RUclips movie reviewer @JasonBrant and his "So Bad It's Good" crew learned that the hard way.😅
ooooh! @11:13 he's got a nose like from nothing but trouble with Dan akroyd
By 1991, the overdose of the 80's cocaine binge was setting in. That's what happened to this movie. 😁
Huh, never heard of a planet called "Hearme"
I like the renegade cut
Highlander 2 was a sequel that shouldn't had happened. Truly one of the worst movies ever made. It only happened because Highlander did well on VHS and Christopher Lambert wanted to work with Sean Connery again. Changing the story and the mythology of the Highlander universe which Connor McLeod and the immortals are extra terrestrials just didn't work. But, I can see Highlander 2 was a "What if?" exploring the idea of what if Connor McLeod was an alien from outer space? The writing was bad. General Katana was a terrible antagonist and was dumb and he lacked what made Kurgan a menacing and great villain. Virginia Madsen was hot and I am surprised to learn that she auditioned for Heather McLeod in the original Highlander. Christopher Lambert and the late Sean Connery were again great together and they did have chemistry and they looked like they were really having fun with their scenes. Highlander 2 could had been so much better. Highlander 3 was better and was the true sequel to Highlander. Highlander: The Search of Vengeance was Highlander 2 but done right. The original Highlander had the perfect ending and it should had ended there and maybe instead of sequels, prequels following Connor McLeod in his earlier years as a immortal following the deaths of Ramirez and Heather McLeod.
At least it's a fun movie...not good but at least not boring .Highlander is like Terminator a self contained high budgeted b movie and the story cannot be expanded easily unless if you're a genius like James Cameron.They should've gone the T2 route if they can bring back Ramirez why not the Kurgan for a rematch ?Maybe this time Kurgan after some initial fight becomes an ally to fight other more sinister immortals or maybe an Army of Immortals(not a 300 reference) , it would've been an epic twist...Ramirez was unnecessary it should've been just a brief cameo in the end and I would bring back the Kurgan instead but as an ally this time T2 style and have him beaten by Michael Ironside half way through ,this would raise the stakes for Highlander I think ...
I saw the original version many times. It was bad, yet somehow still entertaining. The Renegade version fixed a lot but didnt really make it a better film.
10:02 I mean cmon... who can say no to that
Shooting a film in the middle of an massive economic debacle like the hyperinflation of 1989 during Alfonsin's presidency? What could go wrong?
This franchise for me needs rebooting. So much potential in highlander that was wasted. Even the tv show didn't know how good their concept was and missed a real opportunity to make it great. Hollywood remakes films that don't need to, and have been dredging through 80s movie for a while now. Its only a matter of time i suppose. An r18 reboot would be cool.
I don't think any potential was wasted. You said it yourself Hollywood doesn't need to remake films and this is a prime example. Any reboot attempt would only result in disappointment. The original film is good enough, accept it for what it is and move on. Highlander 2 was a failed cash grab and a reboot wouldn't be any different.
@@xt4k3nx the first movie was fuckin awesome. Chur.
Love the film, love the recut film. It makes no sense but I don’t care, it’s a guilty pleasure. A greasy pizza topped with ingredients you shouldn’t think too much about, but it tastes so good.
well it was a mess but It could have been good should they have changed a few things.
- Bad guy purpose. Really all they had to do was have the rebels win the second uprising so the bad guys used the transport as a means to escape his fate. The main bad guy should have killed Remirez. Katana Ultimate resolve should have been getting the quickening to rule the place since he is now stock on earth.
- I mean all Remirez had to do was run to the door. durp....
- The biggest yikes is Zeist retconning the original. An alternative using the same premises would be a soul merge. Basically have a counter part on earth that the ones on Zeist join souls with. This way the event of the counter part on earth don't really change. Their first death is the point of the merge.
These 3 key things would make the movie coherent.
So time travel makes more sense than being from another planet? I prefer the Zeist version over the time travelling version any day
The shield was already blue in the renegade version though.
The VHS/DVD Renegade used the red shield. The Blu-ray and HD digital versions after used the Blue one.
@@shadowofthestatue Ah but I have the Renegade version on a French DVD released in 2007, with blue shield.
@@shadowofthestatue Actually the updated blue shield version he's talking about first appeared on the 2004 special edition DVD, then it came on blu ray years later.
Highlander 4 Endgame was the best Highlander Movie
Sorry, but I'm British and I saw the British cut in a British cinema and on VHS, but I have never seen those scenes
Take it for what you will. At a Gen Con shortly after it was released I was buying Highlander merchandise and asked if it was a licensed. The person explained that it was he was the only person officially licensed to produce Highlander bumper stickers.
I asked him if he knew what the hell happened with the sequel.
What he told me was that the directors had put out a Bible and a request for scripts.
One of the statements in the Bible was that Sean Connery cost way too much and there were going to be no flashbacks to Ramirez.
They received word that the Japanese market would guarantee a certain number of weeks of release, which would guarantee them a certain amount of money if the movie had Sean Connery at it for at least, I think it was 25%.
They had received one script that had Sean Connery in the movie for at least 25% and they need a script approved in order to sign the overseas deal, which would guarantee them enough money to put Sean Connery in the movie.
nothing happened to it.. it's still in my DVD collection.