Gods and beings from a higher plane living among normal humans is a unique movie device. The fish out of water has foreign behaviors and antics due to his displacement. What is normal to us is abnormal to them and vice versa, causing humorous misunderstandings at best and complex conflicts at worst. Marvel’s superheroes and villains upset the natural order of things all the time. Thor, the God of Thunder, discovers his love of coffee and expresses it by throwing his mug of java on the diner floor like he was in the hall of Valhalla.
Some characters are more innocent than others, like E.T. the extraterrestrial, a Reese’s Pieces-loving, finger-healing pacifist. Strangeness is a double-edged sword for the stranger in a strange land. Highlandercarries that sword far and wide until the final blow is struck. A group of immortal warriors from the Scottish Highlands engage in a centuries-old fight to be the last man alive. In their world, they cannot die; but in ours, they only die if they are beheaded. A pain in the neck never felt better than it does in the Highlander series.
6 Highlander: The Source (2007)
Lionsgate
The final installment in the Highlander series is a TV movie based on its self-titled television show, Highlander: The Series (1992-1998). Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) is missing in action, replaced by fellow member of his clan and television protagonist, Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul). The film’s concept is far-reaching and interesting: an energy pool holds the source for the Quickening, the immortality of every Highlander. Its execution, however, was a death that lasted longer than necessary with its heavy modern trappings. It was broadcast on the SYFY Channel with a less than lukewarm reception. The TV series’ producer, David Abramowitz aptly deemed it Duncan’s “bad dream.”
5 Highlander: Endgame (2000)
Miramax Films
Another film based on the television show with Duncan MacLeod, the cousin of Connor MacLeod, both MacLeods team up to battle the blood-lusting immortal, Jacob Kell. In the film, Kell ignores the rules of The Game all Immortals must play by. Rather than defend himself, he enlists lesser Immortals (can someone who is immortal be lesser?) to help him hunt and behead other Immortals. To tie-in the television show and movies together must have been one of the first multimedia multiverses. A unique attempt at extending the life of the characters, but the life of an Immortal here is not only endless, but pointless. Also, the movie trailer features magical powers that do not appear in the final film release, confusing the fantasy world further.
4 Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994)
Dimension Films/Miramax Films
Also known as Highlander: The Final Dimension and Highlander: The Final Conflict, the third film steers towards the mysticism it was known for, grounding it where MacLeod began his journey in Scotland. The journey leads him to a Japanese immortal named Nakano (Mako), the teacher who taught MacLeod’s mentor, Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez (Sean Connery). He trains with him to prepare for a fight with the evil immortal Kane, who is after MacLeod’s head. The film ret-conned the second in the series, and despite its many titles, The Sorcerer does not have the panache of the original.
3 Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007)
Manga Entertainment
The animated Highlander movie we all deserve. The story is told through the lens of ancient history, within Roman-occupied Great Britain or Roman Britain. Immortal and Roman Empire militant, Marcus Octavius causes heinous crimes, including the death of Moya MacLeod, the wife of Colin MacLeod. Colin, left unconscious at Stonehenge, unknowingly becomes an Immortal and aims to right Marcus’ wrongs throughout the ages. The alternative history plays well into the lore of Highlander, as does the colorful backstories in Vengeance. The style is polished yet rough, like Akira, and the characters are memorable with witty dialogue. The film was also made in memory of the franchise’s co-creator, William N. Panzer of Davis-Panzer Inc. and Davis-Panzer Productions.
2 Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
InterStar
Highlander II: The Quickening takes the series in a new direction, beginning with the home planet and origin story of the Immortals, including our leads, Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Connor MacLeod. Some science fiction and social commentary about the ozone layer is made and plays into the plot of this sequel. In the year 2024, Connor becomes a scientist who protects the Earth from the sun’s radiation with catch-22 results. Speaking of twos, The Quickening has two endings: a fairy tale ending (theatrical release) and a renegade ending (director’s cut). Two times the reason to enjoy the time-bending adventure!
1 Highlander (1986)
Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment
Nothing can kill a legend. The series should have practiced what it preached and made only one film, but we will always have Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery fighting for eternal life and the fate of humanity. Throughout its long and winding digressions, the original Highlander will forever stand the test of time.
