Highlander III: The Sorcerer

Plot synopsis:
Some time after the death of his wife Heather in the 16th century, Connor travels to Japan to request training from the Immortal Japanese sorcerer Nakano. Nakano lives in a cave of Mount Niri, and has a reputation as a master of Illusion. Another Immortal, Kane, is also interested in mastering the power of Illusion and is making his way across Asia, with two henchmen in tow (Khabul Khan and Senghi Khan). They burn a village, massacre its population and eventually reach the cave. Kane defeats and decapitates Nakano, despite Connor's attempts to save him. The energies released during the Quickening cause the cave to collapse. The Highlander manages to escape, but Kane and his men are trapped. Their situation prevents them from participating in "The Gathering" of 1985.
In 1788–89 in France, Connor makes the acquaintance of Sarah Barrington, an Englishwoman visiting relatives. The two become lovers, but when the French Revolution begins, MacLeod becomes involved. He is captured and sentenced to death for treason against King Louis XVI of France. He is saved by his Immortal friend Pierre Bouchet, who tells him he is tired of his immortal life, and dupes the guards into executing him in MacLeod's place. As Connor is reported deceased, Sarah, believing her lover dead, marries another man and has children with him.
In 1994, Connor is living with his adopted son John in Marrakesh. Brenda Wyatt, the woman he married after the Gathering, was killed in a car accident in 1987. Although Connor survived the accident, he still believes that "The Game" is over. In Japan, two archaeologists have excavated a cave to discover whether the legend of the sorcerer Nakano is true. One of the archaeologists, Dr. Alexandra Johnson, whose interests will lead her to Connor MacLeod, resembles Sarah Barrington.
The excavations free Kane, who sets out in pursuit of Connor, sending Khabul ahead and beheading Senghi to gain his power. MacLeod leaves John in the care of his friend, Jack Donovan, and departs to New York City to engage in the final showdown for the Prize. When he arrives, he is found by Khabul: the two fight, and Connor wins. When Khabul's decapitated body is found, Lt. John Stenn goes on the trail of the main suspect of the 1985 "headhunter" case, Russell Nash – Nash was the alias used by MacLeod during the time of the Gathering. As Alex investigates a piece of cloth found on the site, she discovers that it is a shred of a kilt, with a design that designates a branch of the MacLeod family. This leads her to Nash Antiques, where Connor has returned in preparation for the battle against Kane. The Highlander is confronted at a former Buddhist shrine by Kane, who challenges him. Fighting on the holy ground is a violation of the Immortal Golden Rule; the battle ends when the blade of MacLeod's katana is shattered. Kane flees, and Connor decides to return to the Scottish Highlands to build another sword though his initial attempts are unsuccessful.
Alex tracks him down to give him a bar of finely refined steel that she found in Nakano's cave with which he forges into a new sword, and the two become lovers. MacLeod learns from Jack Donovan that his son John is on a plane for New York. Kane abducts John, and holds him hostage to lure MacLeod. MacLeod meets Kane in an old church mission in Jersey City, and follows him into an abandoned power plant for their final battle. The Highlander defeats Kane, wins the Prize by receiving the final Quickening, and returns to Scotland with Alex and John to live out the rest of his natural life.

Tags: good versus evil, cult, action, violence

Review:
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.
(Don't ask me where the hell that came from) The film finds Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) enjoying a peaceful life with his adopted son, deceived that he has won the Prize.
However, the evil sorcerer Kane (Mario Van Peebles) has broken free from the Japanese mountain he was entombed in, and now he wants the Highlander's head.One of the parts of the film I enjoyed the most was Christopher Lambert's portrayal of Connor.
Mario Van Peebles makes a good, if not unbelievable villain, with Deborah Unger as the sexy Highlander girl.Andy Morahan's direction is good.
Loreena McKennit's "Bonny Portmore", featured twice in the film, is a beautiful and outstanding song that has now become the theme for the series.All in all, while "Highlander III" (Sorcerer/Final Dimension) is an entertaining film, it can't come anywhere near comparing to the original film, although it is a major improvement over "Highlander II"..
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.
The story was OK, the cast was good, the special effects were still amazing and pretty much every way better than the previous crap movie.
(Not that it matters) Anyway, I do praise this movie for being a big improvement over the second film but its not as good as the original and others may not agree with me on this, but it is worth the time watching.
The other reviews say it all : you will have a good time watching this film if you don't expect something too smart or original but just wish to be entertained with some action and fantastic images.But I wish to add that paying attention to the music is also worth the shot.
I loved all the actors, Christopher Lambert does a great job as Connor MacLeod as always and I was really impressed with Mario Van Peebles, he did a fantastic job, and looked really menacing throughout the film.
Christopher Lambert reprises his role as Connor McCleod who this time goes up against an evil immortal Kane(Van Peebles in a terrible performance) who is thawed out of suspended animation, of course once he defrosts, it's up to McCleod to put him (back) on ice.
I admit that this is probably my favorite sequel, only because the beginning reminds me of kung fu sequel, with Mako teaching Lambert swordsmanship and kung fu, however that aside the movie is fairly uninspired but not too dull and really it makes logical sense, even in comparison with the original (The only sequel to do so.) The suspended animation thing is a lame way to bring up a new enemy but at least it doesn't explain that they are from a different planet, or completely contradict the original like the fourth.
The movie tries to recapture the original, but in ridiculous ways and with a classic movie sin: introducing a kid.The name didn't help the movie: it was called both The Sorcerer and The Final Dimension, the latter having nothing to do with the film, and the box wrongly suggests it involves time travel.This movie isn't amazing, and it's nowhere near as good as Highlander, but it washed the taste of Highlander 2 away (as much as it could), and in my opinion is the true sequel to Highlander..
In my humble opinion I think that that the performances are not half bad, both Christopher Lambert and Mario Van Peebles are good in their roles.
For those of you who like the Highlander, this is a good movie to watch..
Why every one hates this movie , is not so bad , is not the best sequel, but he have some interesting ideas, cool actors, good director, smart story, and ofcourse an EVIL character, any fan of Highlander must see this movie : HIGHLANDER III ..
"Highlander", released in 1985, has spawned both two popular syndicated television series and an stupid animated series, so it's surprising that the franchise's own worst enemy is the pair of film sequel it has been produced 5 years later: "Highlander II: The Quickening", made in 1990, one of the worst movies ever made.
It's a great pleasure on the big screen, having Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, the role that he created and later inspired the "Highlander:The Series" producers in 1992, though he seemed elevated to competence in the first film through proximity to fellow Immortal Sean Connery (alas, Juan Sunchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez's character remains dead and Connery remains smart enough to avoid non-Bond sequels).
Even excusing the implausible French-Scots accent, Lambert's performance as Connor MacLeod (in HL1 and HL3 and the HL:TS 1st episode) was always one of the greatest and hightest points of the "Immortal Universe", making him probably THE coolest Immortal in the Highlander Film-Series.
The nastiest of these in this installment is Kane (Mario Van Peebles), a 751 years old Immortal, who was trupped in a cave at Japan for 400 years, while he gained the power of the Sorcerer Nakano, Connor's second teacher.
For that, one turns to the four sword fights that shape the film (immortals shun modern weaponry), with most interests the one in the Budish shrine (a little bit ridiculous, since the Budish Shrine was a Holly Ground, but, as it seems, Kane was VERY bad and unreligious) and the Final Battle in the end (certainly better than the Final Battle in the first one).
There's even a set piece with Lambert running through the Scottish Highlands, slashing the air as Loreena McKennitt sings a beautifull ballad that aims to follow in the chart steps of the original's "Who Wants to Live Forever?", and comes very close.MacLeod's love interest this time around is archaeologist Alex Johnson (Deborah Unger, also playing his 18th-century paramour, Sarah Berrington), but other than her showing up for unusual scene segues, nothing much happens.
As for Van Peebles, he's a big improvement to General Katana's character at HL2, but unfortunately, he's reapiting much of Clancy Brown's the Kurgan character (and lines), making his character a litle boring, but still, he's a good villain."The Final Dimension" marks the feature debut of video veteran Andy Morahan, here following in the footsteps of video director Russell Mulcahy (who did the first and second films).
Highlander 1 is a movie that should never have been considered for a sequel but unfortunately, executives wanted money so they pumped out as many sequels as they could, hoping the fans would like them.
The music is rather well scored and the fight sequences are - as usual - worth a watch and Christopher Lambert does the role of Connor justice as he does in the other 2 (he just needed a better script for the second one).Now the complaints.
Its better than "the planet Zeist" but...its not great.They introduce a villain who has a deep voice and is like The Kurgan in the fact that he wants the prize that MacLeod apparently didn't get at the end of the first (???).The love interest happens to look like a girl that Connor bedded in the 1800's which destroys the character, Heather was his only love and when she died we are supposed to believe that Connor shut himself out from anyone else until Brenda Wyatt in 1986 New York.
this what i say "  the writer's or producer forgot what really happen in highlander 2 and changed a little bit to make it good movie for us fans too watch.
To tell you the truth, I was actually surprised that not only was it not that bad....it was very enjoyable.Now, i know that if you read half the reviews before mine, you know the plot and that it is almost just like Part 1....well it aint true that EVERY third movie of a series has to be a HUGE story.
The movie does have its moments (the airport scene was good too)I ending where Connor is at his original sword is well done and the song that followed it was very touching as Connor says "Its finally over"...pretty sad.Ive never seen Highlander- Renegade (which is now the real version of Part 2) but here is what i think of the rest.Highlander- Awesome movie.
Great Story, emotion, action....everything you want in a movie like this.Highlander 2: Didnt see it.Highlander 3: The Sorcerer- Good movie and sequel (even though it is alot like the first, its still enjoyable)Highlander- Endgame- Its OK but 3 was better.
OK so in the first Highlander there could be only one and in the end there was, but now we are on to the third installment and there still isn't only one like we ere lead to believe in the first, second and even this the third, I sure hope that the bad guy in Endgame will be the last as this series goes nowhere fast.
Where the first Highlander couldn;t decided whether it wanted to be a beautifully filmed sword and scorcery movie or a trashy action movie and the second was more of a sci-fi movie this one gives us an even mix of unexplained flashbacks and modern time fight scenes.
This time Connor is up against "Kane the sorcerer" played by Mario Van Peebles and as you have probably guessed by now Connor defeats Kane and win "The Prize" for the 3rd time!Highlander 3 is a pretty boring film, but better than Highlander 2.
So how will the fourth one be?-I don't even wanna know!Lambert had a couple of good films in his career like Greystoke and Highlander (part one!), but I don't think he will accomplish a third one.
Stunningly bad film, adding little to the mythos created by the original and with Christophe Lambert clearly focusing on the end of movie cheque rather than the script (not that it needed much concentration).
There's some tacked on nonsense about illusion but basically its a re-hash (again) of the original.Christopher Lambert sleepwalks through his part and Deborah Unger looks nice but exists purely for a token sex scene and to get kidnapped and generally threatened.Don't waste your time on this, Highlander begins and ends with the original.4/10 - 'There can be only one' if only that were true!.
To be honest, it is actually a rip-off instrumental version with a few notes changed for the sake of not having to buy the rights.The upside of the movie is Lambert, who actually seems better at playing Connor MacLeod than he was in the first film.
The film's only real highlight is the very powerful sex scene between glum Lambert and prototypical sexy blonde ice queen Debra Unger, who probably ranks as being the best of the Highlander babes.
The film does give us some more insight into the past of Connor MacLeod, a great training montage, and it is better than Highlander II: The Quickening (though not the director's cut) and Highlander Endgame.
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.
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.
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..
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..
Mario Van Peebles is a great actor and does a good attempt at copying the Kurgan but sadly he can't match Clancy Brown's performance.Another example is the car scene where Kane tries to scare the kid by playing chicken with planes.
The sword fights are choreographed well and move at a good pace.The special effects are okay.The plot of Highlander III sees Connor MacLeod living with his adopted son John in Marakesh until an evil Immortal named Kane is released.
Christopher Lambert returns as Connor MacLeod as the protagonist who has to face against a new dangerous and powerful enemy; An extremely powerful sorcerer known as Kane (Mario Van Peebles) who threatens to win the fabled "Prize" in order to gain world domination by eliminating Macleod.Plot: Deceived that he had won the Prize, Connor MacLeod awakens from a peaceful life when an entombed immortal magician comes seeking the Highlander.This movie has a tons of problems while people are trashing Highlander II: The Quickening idiots!
Highlander 3 is at its best when it's ripping off the first film and at its worst when it tries to add in sub-plots that go no-where.Connor MacLeod has suddenly a son?
Perhaps this is fitting, since Kane doesn't earn his powers, but steals them from another Immortal.Macleod looks older and tireder in this version, but he still manages to pull off his character well, despite the rehashed nature of this film.In all, this movie has some nice special effects, and the sword battles are spectacular, some of the best yet seen in a 'Highlander' flick, especially the final battle.
The only way an Immortal can be killed is by removal of the head, usually via sword.This made for a good film: an epic story spanning hundreds of years, cool swordfights and a good performance from Christopher Lambert made the original Highlander one of the better 1980s films out there.
Nakano is also being hunted by Kane(Mario van Peebles), a villain who is virtually a carbon copy of the Kurgan (is a barbarian, likes to kill women and children, etc) who wants the power of illusion to do bad things.
However, any sense of danger in the scene in the third film is removed by the fact that all of the things Kane pretends to collide with are illusions, which cannot actually harm the occupants of the car.Connor and Kane fight, Connor kills Kane, and then wins the Prize again, at least until the next sequel Highlander: Endgame, which at least was trying to do something new.