Highlander III: The Sorcerer

After his wife Heather's death, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) travels to Japan to train under sorcerer Nakano (Mako). Kane (Mario Van Peebles) and his henchmen arrives to defeat Nakano. Connor escapes when the Quickening collapses the cave trapping Kane. In the present day, archaeologists led by Dr. Alexandra Johnson (Deborah Kara Unger) excavates the cave. Kane and his men finally dig themselves out. Meanwhile, Connor is living with his adopted son. Brenda Wyatt is dead. Connor has to defeat Kane and his henchmen. Dr. Johnson finds a piece of MacLeod tartan in the cave which leads her to Connor. She looks like his lover Sarah Barrington who he knew in 18th century France.

It's a big improvement over the second movie. However, it leaves one feeling deja vu. The main story elements are essentially a repeat of the original. The new bad guy does have morphing capabilities but everything else feels inferior. It's bad enough that they recycled the old script. The execution is sadly inferior.

Just to be up-front about this - I enjoy these films. The original - Highlander - was the only one in the series which really stands the test of time (Endgame has now joined it in this), and stands head and shoulders above the others for artistic merit and originality, but still, I liked the others well enough.

I also like the much maligned Christopher Lambert. He's an odd actor to be sure - far from the Hollywood norm in appearance, style and accent, but he's nothing if not original and once you understand his understated style, you might just see that the guy has some serious talent. Read on if these statements resonate with you. Otherwise, feel free to move on without reading or rating this review.

Lambert is good, Unger is good, Van Peebles is campy as hell, alternating between absurdist humor and menacing poseur-ship.

The script is OK, certainly less grandiose and more mindless than II (and closer to the original in feeling, pace and plot), but not particularly original.

The production values are a slight step up from II, about as good as Endgame, and almost up to the original's standards.

Conor McLeod has reclaimed something of his humanity - imagining himself to be the last immortal on earth, but of course, he is wrong. Sorcerer Kane, who has stolen the magic of one of McLeod's former teachers, is hunting his head. McLeod has adopted a child and is about to fall in love again, the last thing he needs is an attack by an enemy who has no corporeal body.

The film is entirely predictable, and is nothing more than a fan film. So what? It's harmless entertainment with some very pretty scenes from Scotland and some other gorgeous landscapes, and, if you don't expect much, you might just have a good time with it.

First of all Highlander III: The sorcerer is the french title used for this film, I just thought I'd clear that up real quick.

Those of us that live in America know Highlander III as Highlander: The Final Dimension.

Highlander is heavly criticized due to the fact that Highlander II: The Quickening came before it. I look at it this way, Highlander II is like Halloween III it has nothing to do with the rest of the series the only exception is that it does involve Conner Macleod, unlike Halloween III which doesn't involve Michael Myers at all.

I did not see the theatrical version of Highlander: The Final Dimension, I just recently came across a copy of the R rated Directors Cut of this film. This cut of this film is excellent and it is a nice sequal to the original Highlander if you forget about Highlander II.

I think I can understand why this film was criticized, the theatrical version was probably released half assed with the scenes all cut up. The Directors Cut is pure and complete.

I'd like to comment on the love scene in this film between Conner and the female lead, it is almost on a pornographic level and it is no wonder that they wouldn't allow that to get into theatre's. It is greatly welcomed in this release though.

Mako does an excellent Job as Macleod's new trainer at the beginning of the film, he knows he is going to die and on at least three occasions gives Conner the opportunity to take his head, he idiotically refuses and his trainers powers fall into the hands of evil an evil that would hunt MaCloud many centuries later.

Those that say that this is a remake of the original are greatly mistaken and should rent the directors cut of this film and watch this one again.

MaCloud did win the prize in the original film, it just so happens that when the sorcerer is resurrected the game begins again,Macloud is actually defending the prize he already won, he gets an even greater prize when he kills the Sorcerer, he recieves the powers and knowledge of his trainer and his power of illusion, besides the overall prize.

Many have asked about Highlander: Endgame, this film only works if you think of it as many years later, this film also is based on the television series too, we have both Conner and Duncan in this one. IF you see the pilot of that show Conner is there, we learned that he trained Duncan after finding him almost dead after a battle. This film pretty much wraps up that series and it tries to finish off the film series as well, it is confusing but you can make sense out of it if you try. The Villian in that film tops them all as he doesn't care about the rules, in fact he breaks every one including the Holy Ground rule.

If anyone else can figure out the link between Highlander I, III, the series and Endgame, feel free to write another commentary with updated information and your own thoughts of what if.

Highlander: The Final Dimension is under-rated and the Directors Cut of this film should be viewed for best performance.

There can be only one, yes in the end there can be only one, we do not know when the end will be, it could be the end of time for all we know, immortals are always being born throughout the centuries and years, we don't know who they are or where they are, at the time end of time one man shall stand alone, at that point there can be only one, but it will be almost an eternity before every immortal is killed in fact the game has the potential to last an eternity.

Those were just some words to think about next time you watch any of the Highlander films(except II) and when you watch the show.

A good revenge plot drives this third Highlander installment. An old enemy similar to the Kurgan of the first film, escapes an entombment after 400 years and begins a quest for the head of McLeod. Kane- the Sorceror -makes a great villain and blends into modern America easily with his tattoos and piercings. The film also boasts some Conan elements with Mako again playing a wizard named Nagano and there also some f/x similar to T-2 as the sorceror's power is made apparent. Debra Unger is also a plus as a smokin' leading lady who provides the best and sweatiest sex scene of the "Highlander" cycle. There are also some great locales used in the film. From snowy Japan to African deserts to the Scottish Highlands, the film features all three beautifully. McLeod also has an adopted son and is hounded by a new NYC detective who is wise to his immortal habits. But through it all, he keeps his cool demeanor. However, the soundtrack leaves much to be desired. 7/10. Check out the DVD!

What can I say, Highlander was the kind of movie that simply does not allow for a sequel.

Highlander III may be enjoyable, but certainly doesn't come anywhere near the original one, which is a Classic. There are so many things that impressed me in Highlander; sadly, I can't say much about Sorcerer.

Watch it, but don't expect too much.