Highlander 3 the most underappreciated sequel?

[Andrew NDB]

While a concerted argument could be made that H3 is largely too "samish" with H1 (the word "requel" could be thrown out there), there is very little in the movie that is outright negative towards the franchise. I'd venture it has possibly the best love interest of anyone in the films, the Scotland material does for the present what the Scotland material in H1 did for the past. Probably the best fighting choreography of the first three movies as well (which isn't saying TOO much).

[David McMurdo]

It's fine in my opinion. Always enjoyable. I think a lot of the resentment comes from the fact that people realise that it was another opportunity to do something really interesting and they just didn't. It's the Force Awakens of the Highlander franchise, and in the same way that people are now saying "well at least the prequels tried something different", I kind of appreciated that Highlander 2 tried something different after seeing Highlander 3. One thing that really bothers me about it is the sword-fighting, particularly in the last battle. Many moons ago someone on this forum described it as "baseball bat sword-fighting". That was like twelve years ago and the description has stuck in my head all of these years because I thought it was so accurate.

Is that poster genuine?

[Andrew NDB]

One thing that really bothers me about it is the sword-fighting, particularly in the last battle. Many moons ago someone on this forum described it as "baseball bat sword-fighting".

How is that any different than the fighting in H1? And H2, they literally had no one to choreograph anything.

Is that poster genuine?

As far as I can tell.

[David McMurdo]

How is that any different than the fighting in H1? And H2, they literally had no one to choreograph anything.

It isn't really. I think that Endgame is the only film with decent sword-play. It's just worse in that final fight with Kane somehow.

As far as I can tell.

The licence plate made me laugh.

[Hatter76]

Damn, did you really have to use that Sorry Artwork?

[Hatter76]

such mixed feelings on this movie, I do think that it's become underrated to an extent, setting aside the intentions of making money, there were good intentions in making it a direct sequel to the original, throwing out the obvious crud from part 2, and I agree with Andrew about the Love Interest, Though I must admit, the so called Love scene I'm sure plays a role in that, but she is also a stronger character.

The structure of the story is not one that I'm going to give any credit to, However some of the finer Details are quite nice, Certainly the Return to Scotland. The Production Values are pretty good, though the Connor's Loft looked like a place you would go to film Porn, makes Connor look like he's in the business, ENDGAME did a far better Job at recreating the mood of the Loft in the Original.

They Gave a Lambert a Hair-lace again to recreate his Scottish look
Shamefully Endgame only used hair Extensions, and it showed Badly, The Swords were also very nice in this one, where as the ones in Endgame, well, they speak for themselves


Editorially, this movie feels much sleeker and refined, perhaps a little too much at times.

[Donut]

I have a fondness for it. When I first saw the original trailer for it, it looked like a very modern and more dramatic story.
After seeing the movie, i took it as being fairly decent.

The things I like about it:
*Connor's look
*seeing more flashbacks of Connor
*the Japanese elements that were thrown in
*the training montage
*the soundtrack was good for being something that wasn't Queen.
*the concept of Connor having an adopted son
*the special effects were appealing for the time
*it was more along the lines of what I expected a sequel to be about

I enjoy putting in that bluray and watching the interviews and featurettes, along with that original trailer. It makes the film seem more appealing that way.

[Draknoir2]

I appreciated it. It helped me forget HL2.

Two things hurt it as a film for me. First, it was redundant. That's a mix of good and bad - on the one hand it shifted the focus back to where the first movie was but on the other it was just more of the same. Second, I just couldn't buy MVP as a villain. He is just too... nice. Spillover from his other roles, yes, but it's something that was on my mind watching it.

I've got three "Kane" swords, though.

[Andrew NDB]

I appreciated it. It helped me forget HL2.

Two things hurt it as a film for me. First, it was redundant. That's a mix of good and bad - on the one hand it shifted the focus back to where the first movie was but on the other it was just more of the same. Second, I just couldn't buy MVP as a villain. He is just too... nice. Spillover from his other roles, yes, but it's something that was on my mind watching it.

I've got three "Kane" swords, though.

Yeah, H3 was pretty fresh after New Jack City. My only problems with Kane was that, #1) He was way too Kurgan-like... he even sounds like he's trying to imitate his voice, and #2) His motivations and character really are as shallow as "I want to win the Prize" and "I enjoy screwing with people's heads." Which is the same motivations and character as the Kurgan.

That's why I suggested we add into the "Highlander Origins: The Kurgan" comic book about Kane being -- basically -- a big Kurgan fan.

[Aleander]

So hilarious, and so very 90's, this poster. I can't believe how dated it looks.

[Aleander]

How is that any different than the fighting in H1? And H2, they literally had no one to choreograph anything.

The first film had Bob Anderson doing the choreography, and its very distinctly more complex than anything in 2 or 3.

Its not as flashy or complicated as anything McAsh did for the show or Endgame, but thats because its a different style as opposed to be of something part of the iconography. Its swashbackling of the Erol Flynn tradition, instead of being a distinct style for the film.

So, I'd say the first and fourth films are the best, in terms of style and composition, but I like the final battle in 2, as it shows more styles from Connor's side. And for a long time, I thought the third film resembled the show in terms of flashiness, but its obvious that the McAsh touch is sorely missing.

But I enjoy the sword fights in all the films, except the Source, and thats more because the fights there are nigh incomprehensible to understand.

[golddragon71]

I was a pretty new fan to Highlander when this film came out (i think we were midway through season three when it was released.) being such a new fan i have to say I loved it and watched it repeatedly when it was released on home video. after a couple of years though I started looking at it more objectively. noting the similarities (sometimes subtle, other times, glaring)
I still find it watchable however (In fact, I'm watching it now.)
The funny thing about it is that during the time it came out, and while the Highlander store was still an independent entity, I got a sales call from them and I talked to the lady on the phone about the music that was released so far. During the call i specifically cited Loreena McKennit's songs in the soundtrack as being my favorites and cited their original sources (the albums they were from) a few months later, the next catalog to come out had those two albums included as available for purchase. Now maybe they would have included these albums anyway but when i saw that happen I always felt as if i had personally had a hand in helping my fellow fans in finding them a bit easier

[LamBear*]

It is my favorite sequel for very shallow reasons; nothing relating to any of the above posts. I loved the sameness to HL1 and have no problem with the re-hashing of something I liked in the first place.

[The One With The Prize]

My favourite sequel as well. Not that I have a few issues with it, mostly to do with Stenn and Vorisek where I tend to roll my eyes whenever I see them or hear them speak. Another is the scene in the hospital right after the gang shooting Connor. Seems the writers needed some excuse to get Connor into the psych ward but just doesn't work or make sense.

[Takk]

It is my favorite sequel for very shallow reasons; nothing relating to any of the above posts. I loved the sameness to HL1 and have no problem with the re-hashing of something I liked in the first place.

Yeah, people using the sameness as a complaint has always felt weird to me. Formulaic sequels are made because people tend to enjoy what they've enjoyed before, yet so many Highlander fans rag on this film for being just that. What's worse is that some of those fans then turn around and praise The Gathering as being amongst their favorite episodes of the series... I mean, I just don't get it... I never have and I probably never will.

As for me? I've loved this film since the very first time I saw it on VHS, and while it hasn't always been my favorite, it grew on me more and more over time, and has since held that distinction for well over a decade. Whenever I feel like watching Highlander, but don't want to take the time to marathon all the movies or indulge in the series, this is the film I pull out and watch -- by itself -- and I enjoy it every time.