There can be only one!!

[Inkthinker]

http://www.onbeatproductions.com/Sta...erTrailer3.mov

Looks pretty terrible to me, but it does count as "anime", I think. It'll probably look pretty slick from a purely visual standpoint, but the franchise has a pretty spotty history.

I liked the TV series well enough, and the first movie of course, but everything else with the name "Highlander" has been almost universally awful (anyone else remember the previous cartoon series? Go look for it, you'll be horrified).

Maybe this will break the chain, though. :D

[Ghost]

Hm, seems like anime immies are going to be bullet-timers.

I dunno. In terms of style, it looks the same as most "serious" samurai-themed animes I've seen. I was sort of hoping for something different with this. Oh well.

[Inkthinker]

Is it really "imitation" anime if it's made by Madhouse, though? I mean, that's probably one of the most well-established animation houses in Japan.

[Ghost]

Is it really "imitation" anime if it's made by Madhouse, though? I mean, that's probably one of the most well-established animation houses in Japan.

Er, no. "Immie" as in immortal. ^^;

(The evil ones are called "kimmies", btw. Because they all have names that start with K or C.)

[Knightosis]

Looks promising. I've always hailed this kind of animation as being the
best period.

[Inkthinker]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32468

Review at AICN. The short gist is that it's not bad... the reviewer says that it's not adding anything to the mythology, but that it leaves out the more embarassing aspects (like aliens). A worthwhile addition to the franchise if you're a fan, it would appear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1dUZMpr0n0

More recent, working version of the trailer.

[SpydaWeb]

I'm glad Kawajiri hasn't lost his touch, but I still dream of the day that he supplants the great work he achieved with the original Ninja Scroll.

Speaking of which; what ever happened to the planned sequel to Ninja Scroll that Kawajiri announced a few years back?

[Inkthinker]

There's the TV show, but scuttlebutt says that it kinda sucks wang.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Question: is it a japanese anime or an american anime?

Looks neat, BTW.

[SpydaWeb]

There's the TV show, but scuttlebutt says that it kinda sucks wang.

I've seen the TV show and although it doesn't completely suck, it's definately an unworthy successor to the original film.

[SpydaWeb]

Question: is it a Japanese anime or an American anime?

Looks neat, BTW.

Collaboration, but I believe all the artistic talent is Asian.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

I see... I think I'll give it a shot. Thanx for the info.

[Tuan]

Just saw this one and being a fan of Kawajiri, I ate it all up. Loved every minute of it! Good pacing and I never once lost interest or the storyline dragging. Overall, it's not the best anime you'll ever see but it's definitely added to my anime DVD library for sure.

Only one question though. Why didn't Colin feel Kyala's immortal presence when she attacked him with that copter at the end? He could've stayed and helped Dahlia finish her off, knowing Kyala was gonna come back to life.

By the way, if you enjoyed it, don't get the DVD just yet. Word is that there will be a Director's Cut available later this year (September?) with 7-8 additional scenes. It's been reported that kawajiri did not like the American cut. Maybe this version is the version that Kawajiri prefers. If true, can't wait!

[Inkthinker]

I saw it on the shelf at the store, but skipped in favore of the DC for Afro Samurai, which I already know I like. If the Highlander anime is going to air on Sci-Fi's new "AniMonday" block, then I'll check it out then and see if it's worth it.

[jesse_custer]

While this isn't as awesome as Ninja Scroll, I wouldn't hesitate recommending this to either Highlander or Kawajiri fans. The animation and artwork are quite impressive--definitely on par with past Kawajiri-directed films like Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

The music let me down a bit. I liked how they used electric guitar in parts (as featured in the other Highlander movies), but overall I thought the soundtrack was average and forgettable.

Storywise, the flashback sequences, which are a staple of Highlander, are still engaging. They're probably the most interesting aspect of the story. The events that happen in the present are mostly predictable and derivative, but then again, Highlander has never been known for its deep stories.

The dialogue is better than the overall story in places. For instance, at one point a character, thinking she has died, asks the main villain if he is God. He responds, "Close enough." The villain is definitely the best character of the movie. He comes from the Roman Empire and therefore considers himself sophisticated and everyone else barbarians.

I didn't check on the DVD for subbing, but I've heard that the dub is the only thing available. I usually abhor dubs, but this one, while not the best by far, is tolerable. At least the Scottish accents weren't butchered.

Overall, if you enjoyed the other Highlander films, I don't see why you won't enjoy this one. Don't be fooled by the Japanese exterior. Kawajiri did a lot of research on the Highlander series and films before working on this project, and it shows. As for everyone else, I would say check it out for the great animation, superb direction (there's one scene where the protagonist and villain are fighting in the background, while in the foregrand a large glass is filled with red wine), and some funny dialogue.

**1/2 (out of four)

The DVD features an interview with Kawajiri that's worth a watch, by the way.

Speaking of which; what ever happened to the planned sequel to Ninja Scroll that Kawajiri announced a few years back?

He's still working on it, according to IMDB and wikipedia. Can't wait.