Overrated

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Blistering performances.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Although a feast for the eyes with its flamboyant cinematographic technique and high level of innovation and imagination, it's a bit too dazzling to be convincing. The plot in itself is totally absurd: a highlander suffers from immortality, which makes him afraid of living (and loving), while there are other immortals as well who seem to be fighting about being the last immortal alive, since all these immortals are not immortal at all if their heads are cut off, and they all actually (except one) ultimately get their heads cut off, while the one remaining seems to be settling for quite a normal life after all. This is all ridiculous of course, but the cinematographic dashing eloquence blinds you to the lack of any reason in the film.The best scenes are those with Sean Connery, when he trains Christopher Lambert to fight properly. Only here there is great inspiration and even some humour. The worst scenes are all those with the dreadful Kurgan villain, and if you have seen him as a monster in other films you know what to expect. It's advisable to turn the volume down every time he appears, since the noisy rock music makes it even worse.The most impressing fighting scene (among far too many and lengthy ones) is the very first one in the garage. You haven't got used to the exaggerated pyrotechnical effects yet, they will eventually repeat themselves, but in the first beheading scene it's all new to you and must appear awesome indeed.Apart from the yelling noisy rock music, the rest of the music is good, and there are even some poetical highlights as well. All the scenes from Scotland are highly enjoyable, and fortunately it's these that will remain in your mind after the show, while you hopefully will forget all the New York rumbling atrocities in darkness.

Plot; Through the ages a group of men known as Immortals have battled for the mysterious Prize. Now only a few remain, and they have gathered in New York for their final confrontation.Highlander has a strong basic hook that doesn't hold up under much scrutiny, so it's best to leave your brain at the door and just enjoy the ride. And what a ride it is. With an over the top soundtrack by Queen, it's as much a rock opera as it is an action-fantasy film. Stylishly directed and featuring wonderfully grandiose performances--particularly Clancy Brown's menacing villain The Kurgan--Highlander wins The Prize. But skip the sequels. There can be only one.

Whilst rather dated to watch now (having been made in the 80's)what makes this film stand out is how original the story is. This film is quite unique, very different and enthralling, despite having a scotsman play an Egyptian, a french man playing a scotsman. It jumps back and forth in time telling the story of conan mcloud how he discovered he was immortal back in the 16th century and lived until modern times. There are various immortals around the world and they can kill each other by decapitation, which they are all trying to do to each other, until there can be only one. The last survivor will get the 'prize.' A classic film of it's day, well worth a watch if you like the genre.Sadly they went on to make highlander 2 which was a complete fiasco of nonsense.

I've marked as spoiler alert but if you haven't seen this to date (been out since 86 by the way) then i don't mind ruining it for you hahaha.. Great concept, loved the charters especially Sean Connery playing the most Scottish Spaniard ever. As they say.. "There can be only one" so make sure you keep your head. I ended up watching all of them including the series. so for my 2 pence its definite worth a watch. Look past the datedness and you will find a great bit of science fiction / fantasy filmmaking with plenty of action. Like the music too