Highlander: The Source just premiered

[Dr. Banner]

It just premiered officially in North America. I was avoiding the Russian edit that's been on the internet forever because I had heard it was put together rather hastily and was being re-editted for the North Americans.

As big of a fan of the Duncan-centered stories that I am, even I have trouble defending this. For those that hated Endgame (and not because Connor was killed), after seeing The Source, you'll LOVE Endgame.

There were some good ideas going on in here, and some really great moments... but that's pretty much it. Moments, not a whole. And it probably had the single worst director ever hired. I don't know who it was, but, man, the MTV generation is giving us some of the worst "creators" ever. You can tell he was brought up on nothing but music videos and/or got his start there.

I honestly think that with some minor modifications to the script, and an editor and director that at least only half knew what they were doing, this could have been much better.

Oh well. Can't win them all. Gonna go watch some of the episodes on DVD. The Source can't take those away from me, luckily.

[drwho]

I saw a copy on the net about 6 months ago. At least they took out the bizarre scene at the end where they had the chick spinning oddly around in circles. This felt like way too cliched as a movie. I mean we had the typical I'm a psycho villain highlander that makes cornball jokes. Then they threw in Mad Max into the film. I guess this makes the franchise dead. I wonder if they lost money on it because the special effects looked decent and I cant see scifi paying a lot for it. Perhaps it did better over seas.

[Hieu Le Bui]

worst sequel EVER.....made "Highlander 2 the Quickening" looks like Godfather. I guess the film franchise is permenantly dead now. Although I did enjoyed that Highlander anime movie that came out a few months ago.

[Toku King]

They made another one? Please tell me that it was direct to video.....

[shades of eternity]

cripes they had a serious chance to reboot the franchise and they blow it again.

and the sad part is they should have enough awesome stuff, thanks to the tv show, awesome characters, and a bad post apoc show.

in a word , shesh.

[Deathstroke]

Gee, you guys are making me glad I forgot that it was on last night.

In good news however, I just found out that Adrian Paul has been confirmed to be a featured guest at this year's United Fan Con! (http://www.unitedfancon.com)

[hoffmandu]

They made another one? Please tell me that it was direct to video.....

Even worse, Sci-Fi Channel.

[Toku King]

Even worse, Sci-Fi Channel.

Hahahaha! Boy, that saga's past dead if it's on the Sci Fi Channel!

[drwho]

It wasnt made to go direct to scifi. I think they honestly tried to make a movie out of it. The acting isn't that bad just the plot and subpar sword scenes.

[Nate Grey]

I saw a copy on the net about 6 months ago. At least they took out the bizarre scene at the end where they had the chick spinning oddly around in circles. This felt like way too cliched as a movie. I mean we had the typical I'm a psycho villain highlander that makes cornball jokes. Then they threw in Mad Max into the film. I guess this makes the franchise dead. I wonder if they lost money on it because the special effects looked decent and I cant see scifi paying a lot for it. Perhaps it did better over seas.

All I want to know is:

1) Did they keep the Starchild ripoff?
2) Did the Guardian "die" the same way?

[Jared]

Although I did enjoyed that Highlander anime movie that came out a few months ago.

I stumbled across that on TV (Sci-fi, again) while back, and it was surprisingly good. I've heard nothing but bad things about The Source. When you factor The Quickening, season 6, Raven, and Endgame all into consideration, you can't help but wonder if there's any other franchise that tests its fanbase as much as Highlander does.

[mattx110]

i was gonna watch the reshowing at 1 am, but dr. banner stopped me. i really want to like this. it'd be so easy to get some guy at the helm who goes "immortals fighting throughout history to attain mystical enlightenmint, cool!" and make a good film. and i really want to see that happen.

[drwho]

All I want to know is:

1) Did they keep the Starchild ripoff?
2) Did the Guardian "die" the same way?


Yeah, but like I said they cut out the dorky scenes where the chick was spinning around real fast at the end.

[Nate Grey]

Yeah, but like I said they cut out the dorky scenes where the chick was spinning around real fast at the end.

Yeah to BOTH my questions? Dang. That woman spinning around was the least of The Source's problems. Sigh.

[Nate Grey]

It just premiered officially in North America. I was avoiding the Russian edit that's been on the internet forever because I had heard it was put together rather hastily and was being re-editted for the North Americans.

As big of a fan of the Duncan-centered stories that I am, even I have trouble defending this. For those that hated Endgame (and not because Connor was killed), after seeing The Source, you'll LOVE Endgame.

There were some good ideas going on in here, and some really great moments... but that's pretty much it. Moments, not a whole. And it probably had the single worst director ever hired. I don't know who it was, but, man, the MTV generation is giving us some of the worst "creators" ever. You can tell he was brought up on nothing but music videos and/or got his start there.

I honestly think that with some minor modifications to the script, and an editor and director that at least only half knew what they were doing, this could have been much better.

Oh well. Can't win them all. Gonna go watch some of the episodes on DVD. The Source can't take those away from me, luckily.

Its weird, Endgame is the only movie in my life, so far, that I've reconsidered, as far as thinking it was awful. Initially I hated it cause, well, Connor's death, and how it ignored part 3 (which wasn't a masterpiece, but still, he had an adopted son and a new love that I felt should have been addressed). But since part 3 ignored the series, I guess its only far turnabout.

My thing is, I ONLY like the theatrical cut of Endgame, which isn't available anywhere. Instead we have this "Director's Cut" which adds superfulous stuff including a "happy" ending which wasn't necessary. The original ending was bittersweet and fitting, and the new one feels tacked on, probably cause it is.
What's even worse, the say at the beginning of The Source (the version I saw, but I'd bet they kept it in the version you saw, too) that Faith was dead by that point anyway, so the new ending of Endgame serves even less purpose since she wasn't going to stick around either way.

I'll hold out hope that someday they'll release the Theatrical version, or at least a disc with both versions so people can choose between the two.

[Lester C.]

Do you know why Highlander Search for Vengeance was halfway decent? It was because the director ignored all of the suggestions from his American counter parts. Speaking of the anime film don't buy it as there is a much more longer director's cut on the way as the director of Vengeance wasn't happy with the American version of the film.

[Nate Grey]

I loved Search For Vengence. The only thing I hated was the Ramirez/Joe Dawson analogue (the ghost), but everything else was perfect. Finally, a villain who's not a Kurgan clone!

[The Zapper]

Hahahaha! Boy, that saga's past dead if it's on the Sci Fi Channel!

There can be only one....and that one was the original movie.:( :( :(

[Legato]

There can be only one....and that one was the original movie.:( :( :(

Higlander ended with Highlander 3. The one whare it implied that Connor won the Game.

Endgame and everything else after is an alternate take on the Highlander universe. Like with Highlander 2.

[KenK]

Its weird, Endgame is the only movie in my life, so far, that I've reconsidered, as far as thinking it was awful. Initially I hated it cause, well, Connor's death, and how it ignored part 3 (which wasn't a masterpiece, but still, he had an adopted son and a new love that I felt should have been addressed). But since part 3 ignored the series, I guess its only far turnabout.

My thing is, I ONLY like the theatrical cut of Endgame, which isn't available anywhere. Instead we have this "Director's Cut" which adds superfulous stuff including a "happy" ending which wasn't necessary. The original ending was bittersweet and fitting, and the new one feels tacked on, probably cause it is.
What's even worse, the say at the beginning of The Source (the version I saw, but I'd bet they kept it in the version you saw, too) that Faith was dead by that point anyway, so the new ending of Endgame serves even less purpose since she wasn't going to stick around either way.

I'll hold out hope that someday they'll release the Theatrical version, or at least a disc with both versions so people can choose between the two.


I don't think any film series has continuity as bad as the Highlander franchise. None of the films reference the ones before them, really. At least the Television show had some adherance to the idea of continuity.

[Nate Grey]

I don't think any film series has continuity as bad as the Highlander franchise. None of the films reference the ones before them, really. At least the Television show had some adherance to the idea of continuity.

Well actually part 3 referenced part 1 heavily, almost to the point that it was virtually a remake. Part 2 is ALWAYS ignored, though I think they originally planned on using that continuity before the movie bombed, hence why Duncan was an orphan adopted into the clan MacLeod. So, if you want, you can say part 1 and 3 are their own, self contained universe. The series treats only the first movie as canon, and then resets some of it/establishes its own continuity in the pilot ep with Richard Moll (reset as in Connor DIDN'T get the Prize, has a "cousin" he trained, the Gathering is still happening, etc).

In short, if you like you can choose: part 1 only spawned part 3, or part 1 spawned the series and eventually Endgame.

Its not confusing, just...Pre-Crisis-y. :)

[hoffmandu]

I officially declare this franchise dead. RIP Connor........or Duncan or whatever.

[Nate Grey]

I officially declare this franchise dead. RIP Connor........or Duncan or whatever.

I know the PTB have pretty much blown their chances, but I would have liked to have seen a TV movie dealing with what became of Nick and Amanda from "Highlander: The Raven".

[Deathstroke]

I know the PTB have pretty much blown their chances, but I would have liked to have seen a TV movie dealing with what became of Nick and Amanda from "Highlander: The Raven".

Nick moved to North Carolina, knocked up his high school sweetheart, ran out on her, got some other woman pregnant, killed his brother and went to jail.

Amanda blew the President of the United States and there was a manhunt on to serve her a subpoena.

:evilsmile

[hoffmandu]

Nick moved to North Carolina, knocked up his high school sweetheart, ran out on her, got some other woman pregnant, killed his brother and went to jail.

Amanda blew the President of the United States and there was a manhunt on to serve her a subpoena.

:evilsmile

Why not, they already done the evil goon on goblin glider. I'd watch this.

[Nate Grey]

What if Duncan got the Prize? I think they ended The Source the way they did cause they wanted it to be part 1 of a new Trilogy. Somehow. Maybe that was to explain why the number of Immortals are now a handful, making the Prize a little easier to attain. But that would mean at some point Methos would have to die, and apparently HE has a fan following so not sure how that would go over.

[Mac Danny]

Highlander should have heeded it's own tag-line.

There can be only ONE!

[Shostie]

The Highlander franchise died the second the studio greenlit Highlander 2.

[Deathstroke]

I watched the rebroadcast tonight.

Wow what a horrible way to completely crap all over the franchise.

[mattx110]

I watched the rebroadcast tonight.

Wow what a horrible way to completely crap all over the franchise.

i saw bits and pieces of it (it was on same time as burn notice, who do you think wins that fight?).
it didn't seem bad. weirdo mystery villain, joe has a good part. methos is kinda bloodthirsty, which may or may not be odd (i'd have to see it from the beginning)... but i lost a lot of the context flipping channels. the sword fights weren't bad when they stopped pushing fastforward and rewind every second.

[G. Wayne]

There can be only one....and that one was the original movie.:( :( :(

There can be only ME.

**chuckles**

Of the beginning 40 minutes I caught on and off, I only really paid attention to the first fight and some of Jabba's exposition. Guess I don't need to go back for anything I missed, yikes.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

This made Highlander: Endgame look like a classic. Horrible thrown togethor film , with the only bright spots being Duncan at times. But the storyline of this "Source" being the be all , end all was horrid. Did we really need the voice over to tell us that Duncan was the "One" who managed to have a child since he was an immortal ?

The best part of it was them giving Duncan new small swords to battle with. But my god this was a turkey.

[Tuan]

i saw bits and pieces of it (it was on same time as burn notice, who do you think wins that fight?).
it didn't seem bad. weirdo mystery villain, joe has a good part. methos is kinda bloodthirsty, which may or may not be odd (i'd have to see it from the beginning)... but i lost a lot of the context flipping channels. the sword fights weren't bad when they stopped pushing fastforward and rewind every second.

That fast forwarding crap during the action scenes really got on my nerves. How I hate it when directors do that.

Really, I have yet to see a Highlander film that I like. I was only able to get enjoyment out of Highlander Vengeance so far. But that's probably due to me being a huge Kawajiri fan.

[stingerman]

I just rented this and watched it for the first time. I read all your reviews and agree. This had the potential to be much much better. How disappointing.

I agree, the director sucked. It was like watching a video game. And guess what they have on the special features? Yep, a trailer for the video game.

The acting, I thought, was actually pretty decent, except for Joe D's death scene. That bit about Duncan being it's his destiny was a bit much. A lot of this kinda reminded me of Highlander 2 with the end of the world scenario/mad max crap. Didn't they learn from that one, come on? The source being from outer space and stuff- Yack!

Fight/Weapon scenes were descent. The only one I really didn't like was when the Guardian first fought, Shi (if that's his name, in the building). It looked too "budget" - as in didn't have a big enough one. It started off really good with but the flip on the table looked horrible. Other than that the other fight scenes were good.

I watched the special feature about the making of the Guardians super speed or whatever. The director was trying to be "different", said something about making it look "pixely" or some stuff. It looked too, again, video gamish.

The end was very predictable as well.

So basically they retconned the Highlander by saying THE ONE is not about being the last living immortal but about being THE ONE immortal who passes the test and gets rewarded by the SOURCE, in Duncan's case, a baby.

The series was much much better. Aww, f@ck, why can't they ever get it right?

I wonder how much of the movie matched the original script?

This movie seemed more geared toward the European Rave crowd than classic Highlander fans.

[BoosterBronze]

Really, I have yet to see a Highlander film that I like. I was only able to get enjoyment out of Highlander Vengeance so far. But that's probably due to me being a huge Kawajiri fan.

The Source was like getting punched in the stomach for ninety minutes. I cant even list all the ways it was awful.

"Vengeance" was the best Highlander spinoff of them all. They really got the epic, tragic feeling of Highlander and the kickass action.

[The Punished]

I haven't picked it up but I probably will I saw the first hour on Sci-Fi when it premiered but haven't seen it all the way through. I have read about the whole film and I still enjoy the Duncan character and even if it doesn't play well with the rest I'll try & find the good in it!

[stingerman]

I haven't picked it up but I probably will I saw the first hour on Sci-Fi when it premiered but haven't seen it all the way through. I have read about the whole film and I still enjoy the Duncan character and even if it doesn't play well with the rest I'll try & find the good in it!

I'm a big Duncan fan as well. This was just so-so. Not the Duncan MacCleod of the Clan MacCleod we all know.

[The Punished]

I'll still pick it up sooner or later...

[Lord of Denial]

I'll still pick it up sooner or later...


Why not just knock on someones door and ask to pay 15 bucks for thier most recent bowl movement?

Same Thing.

[The Punished]

Why not just knock on someones door and ask to pay 15 bucks for thier most recent bowl movement?

Same Thing.

I really didn't care for this year's Super Bowl anyway...