NationStates Jolt Archive

So, after reading everyones comments about the recent Highlander movies (Endgame and The Source), I've come to the conclusion that a good movie concept has hit rock bottom. Is there anything that can be done to revive it?

If they're going to save it, I think they might be best off by remaking the original (maybe update the story to the 21st century), with a new cast and new music (the same way Batman Begins did, with the Batman franchise). Maybe they can work in a way that Christopher Lambert can have a cameo (like Charlton Heston had, in the remake of Planet of the Apes).

Kill it. Kill it dead. Right now.

Kill it. Kill it dead. Right now.

Remember, only decapitation will do.
http://i14.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/80/56/8bf6_1.JPG

So, after reading everyones comments about the recent Highlander movies (Endgame and The Source), I've come to the conclusion that a good movie concept has hit rock bottom. Is there anything that can be done to revive it?

If they're going to save it, I think they might be best off by remaking the original (maybe update the story to the 21st century), with a new cast and new music (the same way Batman Begins did, with the Batman franchise). Maybe they can work in a way that Christopher Lambert can have a cameo (like Charlton Heston had, in the remake of Planet of the Apes).

... if you want to do a re-write, wait about 20 years.

if you want to keep the concept and try to freshen it up. put it on TV. you need to create a fresh new character, new timeline and start from there.

Wait a while before you do a modern adaption. Start over, go back to the original material, and forego a decidedly market oriented idea. It worked for the revival of Batman, it can work again. But be extraordinarily careful. And whatever you do, DO NOT HIRE SCHUMACHER!!!!!

i've never seen any of the highlander movies.

I don't think the concept is dead, just the execution.

If they got much better writers, a new timeline, and created new characters, I could see it working well.

i've never seen any of the highlander movies.

yeah me too...

I only know of it through Ricky Bobby (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ITztVTM1_V8) and Robot Chicken (http://youtube.com/watch?v=PCAeVRh2b8U)...

Was Highlander anything more than a source of pop culture reference? Really? It wasn't that good. The concept is good but isn't like they can ruin something that was pretty mediocre to begin with.

Concept:
Aliens are perverted assholes and decided that to punish their criminals they would exile them to Earth with relative immorality and to go home they have to cut each other's heads off.

That's it.

Was Highlander anything more than a source of pop culture reference? Really? It wasn't that good. The concept is good but isn't like they can ruin something that was pretty mediocre to begin with.

Concept:
Aliens are perverted assholes and decided that to punish their criminals they would exile them to Earth with relative immorality and to go home they have to cut each other's heads off.

That's it.

They scrapped the aliens subplot in Highlander II: The Renegade Version.

Was Highlander anything more than a source of pop culture reference? Really? It wasn't that good. The concept is good but isn't like they can ruin something that was pretty mediocre to begin with.

Concept:
Aliens are perverted assholes and decided that to punish their criminals they would exile them to Earth with relative immorality and to go home they have to cut each other's heads off.

That's it.
Highlander II is not the concept. Please stop recycling this 'bit' on every Highlander thread (why there would be multiple threads on it only the internet knows...)


And I don't know that it needs 'saving.' It's a cult movie and if that's all you want it to be that's all it has to be. After that fucking awful II I didn't watch any of the sequels until Endgame and halfassing The Source. I don't even know how many I missed, one? Two? The series held my interest for a bit, there was definite material there to mine about the day to day life of an immortal. I thought that they limited themselves a bit by early on having just about every episode ending in a beheading.

But really, the well is dry. And with a several seasons long series and one good movie, you got more out of it than most cult movies, be happy. Not everything has to be a franchise.

Hell, it's right there in the tagline-

There can be only one.

Hasn't Heroes pretty much stolen the concept anyway?

Probably spoilerish, but if people haven't already watched the half dozenish episodes or so that I have already, they probably aren't ever going to.
You have Syler going around chopping people's heads open and taking their powers. The only difference from Highlander is that the cut is about ten inches higher. And then you've got that Peter Petrelli character who can also take people's powers who they're clearly setting up as the christopher lambert character.

Highlander II is not the concept. Please stop recycling this 'bit' on every Highlander thread (why there would be multiple threads on it only the internet knows...)


And I don't know that it needs 'saving.' It's a cult movie and if that's all you want it to be that's all it has to be. After that fucking awful II I didn't watch any of the sequels until Endgame and halfassing The Source. I don't even know how many I missed, one? Two? The series held my interest for a bit, there was definite material there to mine about the day to day life of an immortal. I thought that they limited themselves a bit by early on having just about every episode ending in a beheading.

But really, the well is dry. And with a several seasons long series and one good movie, you got more out of it than most cult movies, be happy. Not everything has to be a franchise.

Hell, it's right there in the tagline-

There can be only one.
OK, fine, the only story is a bunch of people with relative immortality have to cut each other's heads off, but that isn't even true in The Source it seems, so the only plot is "there are a bunch of people with immortality who want to be the One." The damn plot gets retconned with every movie and series. There is nothing to do with it.

Hasn't Heroes pretty much stolen the concept anyway?

Probably spoilerish, but if people haven't already watched the half dozenish episodes or so that I have already, they probably aren't ever going to.
You have Syler going around chopping people's heads open and taking their powers. The only difference from Highlander is that the cut is about ten inches higher. And then you've got that Peter Petrelli character who can also take people's powers who they're clearly setting up as the christopher lambert character.

Except Syler is the only one who can or will do that, and there is no indication that there can be only one "Hero" and none of the people are immortal and with the exception of Hiro they're all from the same country...

Really it has little at all to do with Highlander...
OK, fine, the only story is a bunch of people with relative immortality have to cut each other's heads off, but that isn't even true in The Source it seems, so the only plot is "there are a bunch of people with immortality who want to be the One." The damn plot gets retconned with every movie and series. There is nothing to do with it.

One day, a point...

I just read the wiki on the film. It seems incredibly simplistic. I'm not sure how you could get much of story out of it in the first place. Lot's of fight scenes, yes, but not much else.

The original movie was cult-worthy - I was 13 when it came out, and I'd never really seen anything like it.

Everything else I've seen with the Highlander brand attached has been foetid goat diarrhoea.

Let it die already.

There Can Be Only One.

What I mean by that is that there can be only one McLeod. There shold have been only one movie. But there wasn't. So what do we do? Do we go back in time and groin kick everybody involved in the making of Highlander 2 and beyond?

Do we start from scratch? Well, there have been older concepts with just as many convoutions that have started over and done well at it. Batman anyone?

Here's what I would do:

I would rewrite the original story whereby Kurgan and Connor(Yes! Connor, Dammit! :mad: ) battle, just as they do in Highlander, but in a setting more like the Highlander television series. Afterall, Prize or not, they have plenty of reason to fight. Kurgan tried to kill him, Killed Ramirez and raped his wife. No he comes to Connor's home town killing immortals, stalking him and getting him in trouble with the police. Yep. He'll have to go. :) But they don't have to be the last two. *nod*

Except Syler is the only one who can or will do that, and there is no indication that there can be only one "Hero" and none of the people are immortal and with the exception of Hiro they're all from the same country...
Which isn't true. It isn't even a recent phenomena. I looked up some stuff for Heroes. That is why the father, or adoptive father whatever, of the invincible girl has his job - the company he works for hunts those with superhuman powers. The grandmother of the Patrelli brothers has powers I think and the Haitian is obviously from Haiti. More will be introduced in the next season.

The first film was a classic. Pure and simple head-chopping awesomeness.

The sequel is the worst movie of all time.

Anything afterwards is a complete waste of time.





Of course, now you've made me post after a long time of non-postage. That's what you get for bringing up Highlander.

*draws sword*

Well Ricky Bobby said that Highlander won the award for best movie of all time.

I for one, think that is reserved for Prayer of the Roller Boys.

Well Ricky Bobby said that Highlander won the award for best movie of all time.

I for one, think that is reserved for Prayer of the Roller Boys.

*googles it*

Dude, it has Corey Haim...

Where's the poll choice "Myrth"?

Anyway, I'm with Lunatic Goofballs on this one. Should've been just 1 movie.

*googles it*

Dude, it has Corey Haim...

Mind you, that movie isn't watched for the sake of enjoying it like you'd enjoy any other sort of movie for entertainment.

It's more of a, "Holy shit, did that group of Neo Nazi white trench coat bearing, assault rifle toting teenagers just jump over that fence while simultaniously roller skating, yelling war cries, and shoot people all at the same time?"

Mind you, that movie isn't watched for the sake of enjoying it like you'd enjoy any other sort of movie for entertainment.

It's more of a, "Holy shit, did that group of Neo Nazi white trench coat bearing, assault rifle toting teenagers just jump over that fence while simultaniously roller skating, yelling war cries, and shoot people all at the same time?"

I totally have to check it out now. I didn't even know it existed. It has the potential to be crappier than Hackers...

I totally have to check it out now. I didn't even know it existed. It has the potential to be crappier than Hackers...

Look around online; you'll never find it any other place unless you have movie stores like I have here.

I got mine for 2.50 off of some website.

Look around online; you'll never find it any other place unless you have movie stores like I have here.

I got mine for 2.50 off of some website.

There's the odd chance that there's a VHS buried in the local convenience store. They still have a whole room devoted to VHS, and I may luck out. But perhaps the online method is what I will be stuck with.

There's the odd chance that there's a VHS buried in the local convenience store. They still have a whole room devoted to VHS, and I may luck out. But perhaps the online method is what I will be stuck with.

Well good luck to you.

I hope you "enjoy" it as much as I did. :D