Highlander (1986)

Film of 2012 #16
Some Spoilers

The classic 80's film where a Scotsman plays an Egyptian, a Frenchman plays a Scotsman and Clancy Brown steals every scene that he is in. I have seen this film so many times and back in my early teens me and several of my friends tried to re-write and film a new version if this film. We were not very organised and I think it lasted 2 days across a Summer holiday, but this film holds a special place in my nostalgic heart. Christopher Lambert plays the title character who cannot die and you see his story across the years until present day New York and the gathering. You have Sean Connery as his mentor and an Egyptian who worked for a Spanish King. The final main character is Clancy Brown as the main bad guy and another Immortal playing the Kurgan an evil and vindictive man. 

Now this film's basic concept is that throughout time individuals are born who cannot die unless their head is removed, and over time they will get whittled down to one who will win the great prize of power and knowledge. The major problem comes when you try to look at this film and analyse the ideas behind it and what it tries to do and then you end up with so many questions and plot holes it is ridiculous. But I think that if you just watch it as a film about sword fights and fights across time it is a fun romp which poses some interesting questions on what would you do if you were immortal. 

Finally the sound track for this film is almost more iconic than the film with most of the songs written and performed by Queen and it is tremendous and I could actually listen to the sound track all of the time. Now if you need coherent film making with no dodgy effects this film is not for you, if you just want the fun of sword play and great tunes then give this film a go, by the way I like the sequels as well even though they introduce a new idea that ruins the original idea but anyway give it a watch. This is a 4 star film for me, the soundtrack alone and some of the witty comments are brilliant but overall I think it is the deep sense of nostalgia I get whenever I watch this film. 

Fortress (1992)

So I decided to revisit the 1992 Christopher Lambert science fiction thriller where it is against the law for couples to have more than one child and after the death of their first Christopher Lambert and his Wife played by Loryn Locklin are trying to get into either Mexico or Canada when they are rumbled. Shenanigans ensue when Christopher Lambert is caught and ensconced in the Fortress.

Kurtwood Smith is in charge in the futuristic highly technological prison and he is a bit wooden but it works so well and you will understand if you have seen this film or choose to watch it. A nice little twist and an interesting comment very near the end about where some of the people of the future may end up. This is an enjoyable look at the future of the world and the justice system and was par for the course in the late 80' early 90's. I am glad the future did not come out as dark as the predictions of those film makers but i am happy for their vision as it makes the films that much more entertaining.

I would say that this film is 3 stars it is very enjoyable and has a time in place but it looks a bit dated and the acting and effects are a bit ropey even by the standards of the time. There is the dark little look at the end of the film and I wonder if the film maker wanted to end it 2 minutes earlier would have made it a very dark situation.