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Highlander: Endgame is the fourth and final (?) sequel of the 1986 hit Highlander. This action-fantasy is the story of immortals, a
special race of human beings gifted with rapid healing and eternal life. Their destiny is to fight, one on one, other immortals and behead them to acquire the power and life
essence of the enemy. This makes the winner a more powerful and formidable opponent. Endgame
stars Christopher Lambert as Connor McLeod, the protagonist in the first three films, and Adrian Paul as Duncan McLeod, the protagonist in the TV series. Bent on avenging the death of his father in the hands of Connor, the immortal Jacob Kell (Bruce Payne) builds an alliance with other immortals and is the most feared immortal on earth having killed 661 immortals. They attack a band of monks who offer sanctuary to Connor but the latter escapes. Duncan searches for his "brother" and encounters other complications instead. Faith, Duncan's beloved wife in 1715, joins forces with Jacob and seeks to avenge her husband's treachery.
Director Douglas Aarniokoski's film debut fails because of a story that doesn't make sense, a
bad script, poor acting, clumsy characterization, choppy structure and inadequate attention to production details. The flashbacks in the lifetimes of the characters do not
work. Although there are beautiful shots of a long ago Scotland and well-choreographed fight scenes, theses are not enough to pull off Highlander: Endgame. Add to this
the fact that Lambert, who is supposed to be immortal and never ages, clearly shows how time has caught up with him.
Although the values of love and brotherhood are presented, this is a legend where violence
rules. There are a lot of bloody fight scenes, heads rolling, martial arts, fist fights, amputations, gunshot words, impalements, burning at the stake, war dead, etc. Extended
lovemaking scenes inserted are sexually explicit. A number of religious symbols and icons shown (e. g. crucifix/crosses on the heel of Jacob's shoes) show disrespect instead
of reverence for the spiritual. These make the film disturbing, hence, CINEMA rates it for mature viewers 18 years old and above.
(Date Reviewed: January 19, 2001)
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