7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Connor MacLeod is one of a waning few survivors of a clan of immortals. They have been fighting each other for centuries in the quest to be the last one standing.
Starring: Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery, Beatie EdneyAction | 100% |
Adventure | 36% |
Fantasy | 15% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, C (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
"There can be only one" evidently does not refer to home video releases of Highlander, because Lionsgate and its international
heirs assigns have been putting out any number of versions of the film over the course of several years, and are now offering "new, improved" 4K
releases in
both standard and SteelBook packaging. This review repeats
appropriate information from my now (appropriately?) ancient 2010 review of the
1080
Director's Cut release.
If you’re ever feeling down and depressed, head on over to Wikipedia. There, scattered amongst the misspellings, grammar fiascoes, and outright
misinformation, are occasional nuggets like this opening description in the Russell Mulcahy article: His work is easily recognized by his use of
fast
cuts, tracking shots and use of glowing lights. Much like John Ford, most of you are probably thinking. Mulcahy, director of
Highlander
(and its sequel, though he disowned that film after its release), does indeed seem to like fast cuts, tracking shots and, yes, glowing lights, so in the
larger scheme of things, this particular Wikipedia quote might be termed relatively accurate. Mulcahy has had an at best spotty feature film career,
after having helped found and develop the then nascent form of the music video (he indeed directed the iconic “Video Killed the Radio Star”), and
somehow, against some formidable odds and initial critical disdain for the effort, Highlander has gone on to achieve considerable cult
status,
with a legion of fans, most of whom were probably pretty young when the film was initially released in 1986, and who thrilled to its comic book
ambience filled with immortal Scotsmen (and other nationalities) and less than immortal dialogue and action. Highlander unfortunately
has
not aged very well at all, with wooden performances, oddly (and at times badly) staged action sequences, and lots and lots of big 1980s hair.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.
Highlander is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Highlander enjoyed a 4K
restoration a few years ago from StudioCanal, and I highly recommend those interested to read Svet's reviews of both StudioCanal's 1080 release and their subsequent 4K UHD release. As I have so often repeated, "different reviewers means different
opinions", and while I echo Svet's comment about the almost unbelievable improvement in the overall technical presentation of both the 1080 and 2160
versions in this package when compared to the often inconsistent 1080 disc I reviewed in 2010, I may not be quite as enthusiastic about the
2160 presentation as Svet was, which is not to say I wasn't repeatedly impressed with improvements across the board. There are still huge variances
in grain resolution and clarity throughout this presentation which are at least somewhat similar to what I mention in my original review, but there is a
much more homogeneous appearance now overall. Low light scenes can still offer a rather chunky and at times near pixellated grain field, but in
brightly lit moments, especially some of the stunning outdoor material, grain is very tightly resolved and looks great. The palette is beautifully suffused
for the most part and HDR and/or Dolby Vision helps to bring new nuance to things like the burgundy outfit Sean Connery wears. Some of the
"historical" material still looks like it was intentionally brightened at times, which can minimally detract from fine detail levels. One way or the other,
this is perhaps a surprisingly strong upgrade for a film which had some problematic 1080 presentations in the past. My 4K UHD score is
4.25.
Highlander features DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 options. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is surprisingly spry for its age, especially with regard to the great Queen song score, but it still lacks consistent surround activity that could have made it a knockout. While the fidelity and especially the dynamic range of this track is quite commendable, with thundering lows and absolutely no distortion or damage, dialogue scenes play resolutely front and center a lot of the time. There is some nice ambient environmental noise and great sound effects, especially in the historically placed scenes, and LFE here is very impressive. But it's the Queen score where the lossless audio really reaches its full potential, with Freddie Mercury and the boys sounding fantastic. All of this said, like Svet, I actually prefer the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, which provides a less dispersed accounting of the great Queen score while also offering more than capable support for dialogue and effects. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.
This release duplicates the supplements that Svet covered in his previous reviews, and there's some more information in those reviews for anyone
interested.
4K UHD Disc
Why do certain films attain cult status after their release? In the case of Highlander, it's even harder to fathom than it usually is. This is a film with an intriguing concept, great bridging sequences, but some absolutely leaden dialogue and performances, especially by star Christopher Lambert. If an immortal Scotsman traipsing through 16th century Scotland and 20th century New York is your plate of haggis, Highlander is probably must-see cinema, and fans of the film will most likely be generally well pleased with both its 1080 and 2160 presentations here, along with some really excellent supplements. Recommended.
Director's Cut
1986
Director's Cut | Retro Vibes! Slipcover
1986
1986
Director's Cut
1986
30th Anniversary Edition | Retro VHS Collection
1986
1986
Mondo X SteelBook Series 014
1986
30th Anniversary Edition
1986
Director's Cut
1986
2015
Standard Edition
1984
2010
2012
2009
Extended Edition
2012
2011-2019
Standard Edition
1982
Director's Cut
2007
2011
1992
Unrated Director's Cut
2007
2014
2014
2002
1997
2017
2018
2024
2014