Last Saturday night the Sci-fi channel premiered "Highlander: The Source". Although "sci-fi original movies" are usually terrible, this one was not produced directly by the sci-fi channel, and so does not bear the same curse as classics like Frankenfish, Mansquito and Megasnake.This latest film in the Highlander franchise takes place in the near future and follows Duncan Mcleod and several other characters on a quest to discover the source of the immortals powers. For those fearing a repeat of the mistakes made in Highlander 2, be not afraid! Brett Leonard directs this direct to TV/DVD release and delivers a great product in several respects.
First of all, the film has a unique visual style that constantly reminds the viewer that they are entering a realm of mystery and power. Leonard uses filming techniques that rely more on creativity than flashy effects, although the movie still has a few of those. The sword fights are not the lavish, epic affairs that fans have come to expect from the previous films and a few of the TV show's episodes, but never has the myth of the immortals felt more mystical and mysterious.
The performances brought to the project by Adrian Paul (Mcleod) and Jim Byrnes (Joe Dawson) are among the best we've seen from them. Peter Wingfield is also prominent in the story as the fan-favorite ancient immortal, Methos. In general, the cast as a whole did a fine job. Cristian Solimeno played the villain of this story, known as "The Guardian", a cursed immortal with powers that rise far above even the mightiest immortal we've ever seen in the franchise. This devestating foe makes a great villain, and though he draws a little from the waters of Clancy Brown's performance, he certainly makes the role his own. (Unlike the ridiculous Mario Van Peebles immortal in Highlander 3)
The downsides in this film are not hugely significant, but should be mentioned. First, it is a direct to video release, and so doesn't quite have the budget you'd like to see for this kind of film. However, as I mentioned earlier, the director did a great job of making it almost a non-issue. About half-way through, the movie begins to suffer from "Queen" songs being covered by other bands and it just feels odd. Maybe they thought this nod to the origins of "Highlander" would help fans adjust to the new feel of the franchise that seems to begin here, but instead it felt awkward and very forced. The film also suffers from an ending that feels a little anti-climactic. Not a serious problem if you're aware that this is the first film in a new Highlander trilogy. But if "The Source" doesn't succeed and the other two aren't made, this movie will be a really weak ending to the franchise. Lastly, as I mentioned, the sword fights in this movie don't break any records, but they service the movie well enough.
The greatest weakness may be that the film takes the franchise in such a different direction, stylistically. Fans expecting more of the same will be dissappointed. I, however, am very pleased with this breath of fresh air into the mythos. There are only so many sword fights, flashbacks(of which this film has surprisingly none), romances and quickenings that you can create before it all gets formulaic. This movie is exactly what the franchise needs and I greatly hope that both old fans and new will embrace it.
In terms of meaningful dialogue that might result from watching this film with others, take careful note of the character Giovanni. It's clear that he represents the writer's view of many "Christians". Giovanni is an immortal that seems to work at the Vatican or something else connected to the Roman Catholic church. He is devout but self-righteous and self-serving. When the group of immortals is in a bind (literally) he says, "God would never allow this to happen to a true Christian." To which Methos, tied up near him replies, "Giovanni, I've seen Christ. I watched him teach and I saw him heal. And you, you self-righteous son of a b****, are no Christian!"
In another scene, Giovanni refuses to believe something told to him about the legend of the source, declaring "This is blasphemy." To which another character shouts, "This... is truth!"
In both of these there is room to talk about the true nature of following Christ (doing so devoutly, but while loving others deeply) and the nature of truth and our responsibility to constantly explore and test new information without letting our dogmatic traditions automatically rule out what may be truth.
If you're a fan of Highlander, you simply can't miss this movie. Check your local listings as the sci-fi channel will be broadcasting it again soon! I'm not sure when this movie will be released on DVD, but I will definately be grabbing a copy. Meanwhile, I'm steadily completing my collection of the Highlander TV series by looking for Season three on DVD next!
Quality: 8.5/10
Veracity: 8.0/10
9 comments:
So how much did Lionsgate, DP Productions, and all the other producers pay you to write such a glowing review of "The Source"? Because even Adrian Paul hates it, and rumor has it Jim Byrnes calls it "The Sores".
Give me some of what yer smokin', dude.
How much did they pay you to write this?
Never mind.
Seriously though. Were we watching the same movie?
The reason it went directly to the SciFi channel was becasue it SUCKED and it would NEVER had made in in the theater or on DVD.
This movie is a discrace to the Highlander franchise and should never have been made.
I think you will understand once you watch the series. It could have been soo much better and not had to have gone in the direction it did.
Just no!
Hey Anonymous,
Thanks for your thoughts. I wouldn't have minded being paid, but nope. I just really did enjoy it! And I actually have seen the entire series already. I'm just finally collecting it on DVD.
I'm sure you're not alone in your views and you may even represent the majority of Highlander fans. But I still applaud them for trying to do something new.
Fans who hate this film can always ignore it and treat Season six as the end of the story for them.
Wow, here I thought no one knew this blog existed!
Bummer that Adrian Paul hates it. I wonder why he didn't step in and take control more since he was executive producer on the project?
If he hated it, the poor guy's gotta feel either real stupid or pretty impotent right about now.
Sucks to be him, I guess. I gotta say, though, I still liked it apart from a few annoying flaws.
As I said before, if people don't like it, they can always ignore it and watch the Highlander stuff they DO like. But hey, if two or three people dig this movie AND the other Highlander stuff, it's just more Highlander for them to love.
This franchise has been tackled in so many different ways, and I've either gotten used to it never being consistant or I've started to like the unexpected.
PS guys,
Feel free to record your thoughts on "The Source" using your computer mic and the button below. There's a real good chance I'll play it on my podcast this weekend!
See ya!
I liked it too in spite of its flaws. I'm just glad they moved in a new direction, instead of the usual uber immortal from the Highlander's past.
It's interesting that you like the movie because you fall into the demographic Panzer was aiming for. But you're the first person I've seen that has actually come out to say he liked the movie.
As one of the die-hard fans that has followed and supported the Highlander fandom, I admit that I am disappointed in this latest venture.
If I were into special effects, and dark science fiction movies, which I'm not - but if I were I would find this one poorly exectued.
However, I'm a Highlander fan. And the things that made Highlander special are missing: relationships, moral dilemmas, hard questions that immortals have to face everyday, as well as the special effects and sword fights. They didn't even get those right in this movie. With all the hyperspeed, you couldn't even follow the fight. And Adrian's skill was simply wasted.
In any case, I found your review interesting.
Hi Pat,
Some really good points. As I said, I thought the sword fights "serviced the movie well enough" but were nothing very exciting.
I also agree that the film was missing some classic Highlander elements, like the flashbacks.
You're right in that there were no real moral dilemma's for Duncan, but I thought the Giovanni character presented some interesting moral questions for the audience.
And I must also agree that Adrian Paul's skill as a fighter was pretty wasted in this film.
Thanks for your thoughts! Feel free to record them below and there's a good chance you'll hear yourself on the podcast!
Perhaps it's me but I'm mortal and I don't care to have children.
How could this theme be the essence of the failure of the Highlander's present day marriage? If you recall the original movie, Heather, Nash's first wife, didn't have kids and they turned out just fine with Heather meeting her demise to mother nature.
Now, to the vast majority of people whose marriages had grown dull after the first or second child, (hint: little sex, see "American Beauty") how could this notion ring a bell? If anything, this is something that would push the buttons of the obsessive-compulsive infertile couples who have other identity issues than the actual need for children since it's probably more due to narcisscism than anything else. Sorry, but I just don't buy it for Anna and Duncan.
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