My Cultural Diet

This most recent viewing of Highlander highlights the problem with watching cult classics. On the one hand, I see and appreciate all of the reasons why it became a cult classic in the first place, starting with the premise (immortal warriors doing battle throughout the ages). On the other hand, I also see all of the reasons why it failed in the first place. Director Russell Mulcahy certainly piles on the style, from the film’s bravura opening shot set during a wrestling match to copious amounts of noir-ish atmosphere. (I particularly loved the ridiculousness of the hero’s smoky apartment.) And let’s not forget the delightful scene-chewing by Sir Sean Connery as the hero’s mentor, and by Clancy Brown as the villainous Kurgan. Unfortunately, that style never quite transmogrifies into substance, and the constant intercutting between past and present starts to feel heavy-handed over time. In short, I see why Highlander became a cult classic, but it’s just not one of my cult classics. Note: A reboot is currently planned with John Wick’s Chad Stahelski directing and Henry Cavill and Michael Fassbender starring as hero and villain. Which means the stunts and action sequences will be topnotch, though I hope it keeps the fantastical elements, as well.

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