How A Rated-R 90s Fantasy DISASTER Was Created By A Beloved 80s Movie, And ERASED From History

[@RM47319]

There should have been only one.

[@RichWards-Wins]

Best comment on here.

[@13thcentury]

The series wasn't too bad

[@spencers4121]

Never watched it, but I hear the series was good.

[@AmandaFessler]

@@13thcentury As a 90s kid, my first ever exposure to Highlander was the series while channel surfing. It was the second intro with Dawson's narration, Duncan walking out of the mists, drawing his sword, cue Princes of the Universe... Never got into it at the time. Saw a bit of the Raven around 00, when it was oddly showing at 530am when I was getting up for school. I did get curious though. So when I was in my teens in the early 00s, I rented the films. That added more context to the series. First film was such a satisfactory ending though.

[@13thcentury]

@AmandaFessler loved that series

[@YalelingOz]

My highschool friends group loved Highlander. When the sequel was announced, none of us could figure out good reasons for Ramirez to be back or where these new immortals came from, but of course we were going to see it at the cinema. On walking out into a summer afternoon, we agreed our flawed ideas were better than what we just saw. We rented Highlander (for about the 6th time) and rewatched it. That was the best thing we could've done.

[@ruprecht8520]

I had hoped they were going to show younger Ramirez (godfather 2 style). I've never felt so let down by a movie.

[@jimmyfrench4722]

Hah, sounds like my friend group

[@mattwhorlow9900]

Without watching the vid - "Worst 90s Sequel" - are we talking about Highlander 2 by any chance??

[@Vodkanipples]

Same

[@THEchiQ]

I knew what it was immediately too 🙃

[@matthewdavison7486]

That was my first thought

[@lenlooksback7981]

Either that....or, Escape From L.A, I guess.

[@mattcernjavic9999]

Escape from L.A. is a very close second.

[@ryanmartin5668]

I actually have the laserdisc of Highlander II. I was (and still am) a bit of a technophile, so when I had the opportunity to buy a laserdisc player in the early 90s, I pounced on it. I immediately ran down to Tower Records (the only place I knew of that had laserdiscs on the shelf) and bought a copy of Highlander. At the time, I had neither seen, nor heard of, Highlander II. Imagine my joy at discovering that the store had a sequel to one of my favorite movies! I passed on getting another favorite movie, a little picture called Tron, in favor of Highlander II. I rushed home, eager for a Highlander double feature. The first movie was every bit as awesome as I remembered, and despite having to flip the disc halfway through, I felt it justified my purchase. I dropped the second disc in ready to continue the adventures of Connor McLeod of Clan McLeod… and learned that day just how bitter disappointment can be. To the best of my knowledge, the second side of the Highlander II laserdisc I own has never been played.

[@GiantFreakinRobot]

I bet you felt ripped off, except that it came with the first movie. Also, I am a huge Tron fan. I have seen both the original and Tron:Legacy. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Snapper314]

I remember this film, but can't cite a single detail. It must be my brain protecting me from a traumatic memory.

[@jamieleng]

I'm sure the people who made the thing couldn't tell you what it was about either.

[@ElJefe3126]

All I remembered is that the aliens were immortal and could only be killed by beheading...so our hero and his mentor wind up in a room that is sort of a giant beheading machine with blades descending from the ceiling.

[@jacobstaten2366]

Michael Ironside steals the show, obnoxiously broadswords, goofy cackling guys on goblin gliders. That's about all I remember.

[@AnthonySforza]

I recall seeing it in the theatre, yet the one thing that sticks out, is Michael Ironside's rhyme about Brenda and their subjective swords. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust... if you don't take it out and use it, it's gonna rust.

[@acubley]

My brain slunk to the back of the back of my skull in terror. I had to use tater-tots to lure it out of hiding...

[@RRCesconeto]

My friends and I left the screening thinking the movie was so messy and nonsensical that the projectionist must have skipped some reel of the film.

[@ozzwepay]

Saw Highlander in the theater, loved it. Saw Highlander 2 in the theater, wanted to light things on fire, including myself.

[@jamieleng]

I bet you felt like taking somebody's head.

[@echoheadband]

I’ve ONLY seen the original cut of the movie on the original VHS! I’ve never seen the Renegade Cut but am now super interested to watch it.

[@travis_mitchell]

Without even clicking the video, I knew that this was about Highlander II: The Quickening, Which I unapologetically love.

[@odysseusrex5908]

Fascinating! Please tell us what you like about it, what you find that even makes sense about it. I'm sure many people would like to know. Have you seen both versions or, if not, which one have you seen?

[@travis_mitchell]

@@odysseusrex5908 I think I saw the theatrical cut. But was already aware of the changes going in, so it could’ve been the Renegade Cut. I think similar to Ghostbusters 2, which was at one time seen as a bad sequel, that Highlander 2d ages better with time. Many, modern, bad, sequels are so much worse than the sequels that were seen as bad in the 80s/90s. So movies like the Star Wars prequels or Spider-Man 3 are looked at more fondly by today’s audience. As for the movie itself, I love the contrast between the futuristic, dystopian, world of 2024, contrasted with the Highland, Scottish aesthetic of the original movie. It isn’t great, but it’s creative and original. The stylistic choices in the sets and action, usage of shadows, and emphasis on heavy machinery, creates such a cool mood, I think. Sean Connery of course, steals the entire movie. When he shows up in the middle of Hamlet, reacts to being called “Sh*thead”, Arriving in 2024, getting a new suit, And everything with him being the fish out of water, is hilarious, and Connery plays it all with charisma and fun. Ramirez and Conner driving the car while getting blown to pieces by bullets is just badass. Conner regaining his immortality, and emerging from the explosion as a young man, is so well done. The action, violence, effects, music. and performances of everyone give me everything I want in an 80s/90s action sci-fi movie. The perfect mixture of so many other movies that feels like a highlight reel instead of ripping them off. And of course the line from Ramirez: *Most people have a full measure of life. And most people just watch it slowly drip away. But if you can summon it all up, at one time, in one place, you can accomplish something glorious.* Highlander 2 is about an old man who wishes he could be young again, who can love again, who wishes he could spend one more day with a mentor and a friend who has passed on. His wish is granted, and they get to go on one last adventure. It connects in the broad sense of humanity and fantasy that everyone has, I think. When a movie can do that, it’s forgivable if it doesn’t entirely make sense. It’s magical and awesome, In a way that only a movie of this time could be.

[@rmhartman]

A Scotsman playing a Spaniard, against a Frenchman playing a Scot. I mean, suspension of disbelief is one thing, but ....

[@anthonycameronnajera8471]

They both nailed it.

[@Xhumed]

A Spaniard? He said he was Egyptian! He is a liar!

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

Ramirez was an egyptisn that spent some time in spain. Not a spaniard.

[@haqatak23]

A Scotsman playing an Egyptian not Spaniard.

[@peacekeeper1975]

That Frenchman is an American. Just was raised in Europe because his father was a consulate for the US.

[@kriscollinstunes]

I was taken to see the film by my older sister and her bf I think. I would’ve been 12 or 13 at the time. Having not seen the first film beforehand I remember being very lost with what was going on. I don’t think I ended up watching the first film about a decade later and was surprised just how good it was compared to the sequel. Wasn’t aware of the renegade cut until this video. Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to check it out one day. Perhaps the studio should’ve listened to the film’s tagline before making the sequel - “there can be only one”😂

[@baroncalamityplus]

I haven't seen Highlander II since opening night. I didn't even know there was an improved cut of the film. I knew of the Renegade cut, but I couldn't imagine anything could have been done to save the film. So, I never watched it.

[@GiantFreakinRobot]

Your right, there was nothing that they could have done to save it it was more destructive than a lost cause.

[@scipio7766]

I've seen them both. You made the right decision.

[@jamieleng]

​@@GiantFreakinRobotAlien 3 Theatrical Cut was tolerable. Highlander II Renegade Cut is still intolerable.

[@Spock4771]

@@jamieleng Highlander the source is worse

[@jamieleng]

@@Spock4771 That crap was straight to DVD. It's basically just a cable TV show turned into a movie.

[@jacobstaten2366]

I just realized during the summary of the plot, that it wouldn't have been a terrible movie if it had nothing to do with Highlander. Sort of like if you took all of the Brian Herbert Dune knock offs, took all of the tiny interesting ideas that he has scattered throughout his many very thick books, and put them all in one book that has nothing to do with Dune, you would have one decent book.

[@thac0twenty377]

from a sci fi look, yep the concepts are there. Just had to lean a little more into the cyberpunk

[@brnzro]

Usually lightning doesn't strike twice, or so they say. I Always found it funny that Christopher Lambert played at least 2 characters that have something to do with lightning. Great video, cant wait for the next one. :) LLAP

[@jamieleng]

I think his best role was as an Anglo-French Apeman. I'm sure there was some lightning in that movie as well🤔

[@micaelhildenborg5712]

I saw Highlander 2 on premier day at the cinema. I wish I could forget. But the memory remains like a really bad scar.

[@Danbatio]

I didn't know they where other version than the theatrical one. I will gonna give it a try, maybe. Fun fact: most of the sets are now the most expensive real state in Buenos Aires.

[@JakTheRipper-01]

There was never a need or option for a sequel. Highlander itself told us there could be only one.

[@Greydawg]

I miss directors' cuts; we don't get even the chance to see them anymore now with streaming services (i.e., you used to be able to rent or buy the cut the director originally intended) & there are enough great examples I just wish we could still choose which one to stream is all. 💯 Also, I'll never forget sneaking to a friend's house whose parents let him rent R-rated movies to watch Highlander 2 & this video made me feel 13-years-old again. ❤

[@ShawnJones]

I've definitely never heard of this film and certainly didn't excitedly see it in the theater on opening weekend only to leave in a confused and befuddled daze of disappointment ...

[@GiantFreakinRobot]

Been there, I felt the same way when I saw it.

[@LordFoxxyFoxington]

Why didnt they just make Highlander prequels?

[@TheBilgepumper]

I didn't know about the Renegade cut until now. I've only ever seen the original VHS rental release. I knew some big Higlander fans around 1998/99. A running joke was that Highlander 2 didn't exist, they never mentioned the Renegade cut. We joked about the insanity of the theatrical version, so I think they probably hadn't seen the Renegade cut. They were big fans of the TV show, and frequented Internet forums on the series. Maybe they knew it existed, but hadn't watched it because of the stigma against the film overall.

[@volvotl22]

Me too, never watched it since and I have the VHS original!!! It is now on Amazon prime, might have to take a squint and see if it is the renegade version. Highlander 3 did make a better attempt at a sequel, in my opinion anyway.

[@Spamsmoothie1701]

Compared to Highlander the Source, Highlander 2 is a cinematic masterpiece.

[@brianbankler3422]

I actually remember seeing this in the theater and -- when looking for movie times -- spotting the review that said "Aliens fight for earth with swords" and laughing that they didn't even watch the movie with my friends. We weren't laughing later ...

[@Valkron11]

Funny, I only saw the theatrical version. I didn't even know they re-edited it

[@GiantFreakinRobot]

You could watch it, unless you don't want to bother watching it which I understand.

[@Valkron11]

@GiantFreakinRobot I told my son about this, so we decided we would give it a shot, with tempered expectations. Thanks!

[@colinguyan9704]

Same here, not sure I want to check it out, but feel I have to.

[@13thcentury]

​@@GiantFreakinRobotIf given the choice... of Highlander 2... or the video tape from The Ring (complete with edgy girl)? Yep... bring that little minx on... I'm watching that cursed tape.

[@asksearchknock]

Same… I never knew they did a different version (to be fair, I think I blocked the whole thing out of my mind) - what about the 3rd one 😂

[@Leftysrev3nge]

Hey fun fact: Ridley Scott had zero input on the so-called "Director's Cut" of Blade Runner that Warner Bros released. They wanted to capitalize on negative sentiments about the original film and thought they could make some extra money by hyping up an alternate version. Hence why Scott dropped his Final Cut years later to finally put his definitive stamp on the picture.

[@jamieleng]

Ridley is still alive. With the way he keeps returning to destroy the franchises he helped create, there is still time for "The Absolute Final Director's Cut....Because I'll Be Dead Soon Edition"

[@Leftysrev3nge]

@jamieleng Nah, he's stated a few times the Final Cut is his definitive version and he doesn't need to come back to it.

[@jamieleng]

@@Leftysrev3nge What's his excuse for making Galidator 2?

[@Leftysrev3nge]

@jamieleng *-shrugs-* Money

[@dannyanzion3647]

​@@jamieleng money. Bewaren, he's already working on the third.

[@randyfant2588]

Another movie that is hard, if not impossible to find is the 1983 3D movie Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn. It received bottom end reviews (which if the critics hated it should be a sign of an excellent movie). I watched it in the theater as a teen and loved it. I think it wasn't given the credit it deserved. There are much worse movies out there that are praised as “cult classics”.

[@Josh-r3q]

So... Anyone else think this is a repurposed Doctor Who script? Conner is the Third Doctor, stuck on Earth by the Time Lords and someone has caused the sun to go nuts. The Doctor creates the shield but is unable to stop the world from plunging into endless night. The shield also cuts off use of the Tardis and he begins to rapidly age. The Master is revealed to be behind the sun's issues and now sends assassins to earth to kill the Doctor. Their arrival reawakens the Tardis and when they attempt to kill the Doctor he regenerates into a younger self who is more action oriented. He gets a companion, and commits to getting his Tardis back (it is what is powering the shield) and realize that the sun must be fine and ready to come back to the skies. The Master then goes to earth himself. Ah, funny thing happens, The Third Doctor isn't all gone and manifests to help the Fourth Doctor sort things. They break into the facility, the Third Doctor thwarts a trap and disappears into some kind of lighting (mystery for another day), and number three defeats the Master, breaks the Shield and his Tardis is returned to full working order by the Time Lords who have determined that the Doctor has been punished enough.

[@texasbiggalcatlover8200]

Ya think Hollywood would have learned their lesson about sequels by now. But then, do they ever learn anything?

[@renomaniquis4008]

Highlander: Endgame was even worse with its multiple versions. I bought a pirated copy which was shot in the theater (I don’t know what country it was screened at) because it wasn’t being shown in the Philippines yet. When the movie came out in our local cinemas, it was different from what was in my pirated copy. Then the DVD came out, and it was another different version, plus had alternate endings as Easter eggs.

[@Bedonkabonk]

5:45 "The bleak, dystopian setting of 2024" -- Towards the end of 2024, but things are really taking off in 2025 and beyond.

[@johngalt2069]

It’s always interesting when older sci-fi movie depicts the future days that we have already gone through.

[@zerozerohero7189]

​@@johngalt20692024 was bleak and dystopian. Weaponized government against the people, suppression of freedom of speech, people being placed in positions of power based upon how weird they are, food and energy costs out of control. Yeah, Biden was evil. He created all of that.

[@lordshell]

I saw it in the theater and Roger Ebert was being kind.

[@awildman69]

Went backpacking in 91 and ended up in Fiji. Watched Highland 2 in a little cinema just outside Suva, didn't enjoy it. Fast forward a couple of years and rewatched it on VHS with some mates in the UK and the cut was completely different!

[@zimriel]

that's a long swim with a backpack on

[@AnthonySforza]

Oddly, I saw this in the theatre. My dad was a HUGE fan of the original, so upon hearing a sequel come out, we were there, opening night.

[@kuroiryu9434]

I wasn't even aware there had been a recut, saw the original version on TV once and figured "at least i still have the original film" and never even thought about the sequel again outside of specifically talking about the series with friends.

[@kevint1719]

As a huge fan of the original Highlander who was lucky enough to see the European version on its UK cinema release, I remember going to see Highlander II with my hopes high, and rarely have I hated a movie quite so much. I actually didn't know the backstory or that there was a different cut but what I remember was so bad that I can''t imagine any amount of changes saving it.

[@benlime1235]

I saw the alien version on TV in the 90s. Had no idea there was another version of it. Don't remember much about it other than the shield and one or two set pieces.

[@jeffgaboury3157]

I saw this crapstorm when it originally released. As a huge fan of the first film, I was curious to see what it was, although puzzled, given how well the first film wrapped up the story. Needless to say, the "sequel" didn't change my mind on that front. It was so bad that I lost all interest in watching anything else that came afterwards - the other movies, the series - any of it. I had no idea they made a new version of the sequel. I have no desire to see either version of the sequel. You're absolutely right...none of it ever needed to be made. On the other hand, the original film is endlessly re-watchable and timeless.

[@Kilgore6549]

We rented it on VHS in its original form, and I wouldn’t be as disappointed in a sequel until The Last Jedi.

[@killingragethrowback]

And now I struggle to figure out which of the two films is worse.

[@richc3253]

I remember watching the theatrical version. I walked out and said "That movie would be have been 10x better if it was called anything but Highlander 2"

[@corwinsshadow]

Saw it in the theater on original release. It was perplexingly how this dissappointment could even come from the original.

[@YalelingOz]

I had no idea of the other versions. (Highlander 2 wasn't something I was EVER going to watch again. But I agree with your point that mistake of hibris, greed and stupidity needs to be remembered and be accessible l.

[@Dilligff]

I saw the theatrical version and remembered thinking to myself that the only way to save things was to add a scene of Connor waking up at the end having had one long and bizarre nightmare. Never did see the Renegade Cut, and the only other Highlander movie I ended up watching was the one with Mario Van Peebles. Was obsessed with the OG movie and the series, however.

[@zachkieri1185]

I saw this in the theatre after having loved the original and it was definitively the worst movie I had ever seen and having never seen the “renegade cut” I can’t see it being that much of an improvement in relation to the absolute fillm perfection of the original. In other words, I am no “Zeist apologist”

[@dcspooky6903]

I've seen all three cuts of the movie. I concur with everything said on the video........great review and presentation....zeist forever!!

[@GiantFreakinRobot]

Thank you so much! I am glad you agree!

[@RSpracticalshooting]

Recently watched the first Highlander again for the first time in years and it was so terribly good. Highlander 2 was a tragedy

[@voltaire3214]

Zeist is actually a town in the Netherlands.

[@markdohrmann5983]

I'm definitely on Team Renegade Cut, but I will say "One Dream" that plays over the end credits is a fun song that would fit in perfectly with other soundtracks of the late 80s like Nightmare on Elm Street 4. Also, I'm surprised you didn't mention the TV cut either that had the fairy tale ending. No idea why they thought that was a good idea, but it was a thing!

[@directorgeoff]

You sir, are brilliant and correct on every point.

[@johnsmith9205]

This was my favorite movie as a kid, for quite a few years. I saw it in cinema in the 90s, then every time it was on TV late at night, I would have my parents wake me up so I could watch it again and again. I didn't like the first movie when I finally got to see it years later, because it felt nothing like the sequel.

[@Stirrups]

This is crazy. I've only seen the theatrical release. I didn't even know the director's cut or special edition existed.

[@justin188541]

It's Zeist- Fully clean! Great cast, interesting ideas, and a hover board vs "Falcon/Vulture" style fight. But overall, the cast and characters deserved a better vehicle. It's easy to say "There should have only been one", but I say they could have made sequels and done some retconning as the 1st was a perfect closed loop. Just make them good, dammit.

[@timothybarnett1006]

Naming your villain Katana is such a first draft bad idea. Whilst Kurgan is also an Eastern European burial mound it's a far more obscure fact, and there's a subtle connection between the name and associations with death, as opposed to a bunch of accountants trying to be edgy

[@shuboy05]

It did give the movie the joke when Connor waves his katana in front of Katana and he gives his little “Very funny” line. And I have no idea why I remember that line…

[@thedarkknight1971]

I LOVE the first, watched part of the 2nd then gave up on it, and ever since, I STILL believe that 'Highlander' SHOULD have been a one and done work of art... And now I SHUDDER to think of the remake they're planning 🤨😒

[@odysseusrex5908]

They could have made one or more good sequel movies if they had just done what they did with the TV series and set them *before* The Gathering.

[@JoesGeekShow]

The original Highlander 2 is living embodiment of General Katana's quote, "Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. If you don't take it out and use it, it's going to rust." 😂. But for real, I was hoping with the Special Edition that we would get a DVD copy of the Quickening included.

[@DafyddNZ]

I think I've only ever watched the theatrical version. I remember being so disappointed because the first one was one of my favorite movies. I kind of think of it fondly nowadays though, of course I've probably forgotten all the worst bits and only remember the funny, weird and/or cringe bits.

[@ajm5007]

I actually saw Highlander 2: the Quickening in theatres as the 12 or 13 year old, and then didn't see it again until 6 or 7 years later, not realizing that the Renegade Cut was basically an entirely different movie made using much of the same footage. For quite some time, I was confused at how WRONG my memories of this bad movie were. Like it was still a bad movie, but I remembered it being EVEN WORSE as a child, and that's unusual. Usually bad movies seemed better when you were a kid. This one was not only worse in my memory, but so radically DIFFERENT that I started questioning whether I'd ever actually seen Highlander 2 in theatres or not. I eventually got the internet to clear that up for me, but it was quite the experience at the time.

[@theMonkeyMonkey]

I watched it in the Cinema when it came out. The world is just that little bit better off that it no longer exists.

[@marty4648]

I loved the first Highlander. I have never watched Highlander 2 to this day because I had good friends that were looking out for me. I am eternally grateful.

[@AdamBladeTaylor]

I remember how confused my friends and I were at the time. And how stupid the whole alien thing was. We tried to come up with better reasons for immortals being back. And we figured that having X amount of time after one wins "the prize" the game gets reset. So new immortals are born, and they fight over the prize again. Having cycles of that at least makes some sense. The problem was, as they continued with the IP, things got more convoluted. Then they had the TV series, which was epic, and basically went back to more or less the original concept. And then the final movie, where they had to explain why there were two highlanders.

[@Greydawg]

3:30 He winds up to swing forward, then it immediately shows a back-hand beheading instead... 😬

[@SussexMatt]

Saw this at the cinema with my now long passed best friend, we had a blast, the 2 flying guys were great, Ironside was, as usual, amazing. Would love to watch that version again and raise a glass to my buddy Dave.

[@tomhorn1876]

Oooooh, I remember the theatrical version. Thought I had shoved it to the back of my mind and covered it in a filthy tarp like a defunct riding mower. Then you brought the memories back...

[@yossarian3]

The sequel was always going to fail because the first movie was a complete story. Hollywood never knows how to leave well enough alone though.

[@Downhuman74]

I've never actually seen the Renegade Cut. I saw the theatrical cut on VHS back when it hit home video and immediately tried to scrub it from my memory. It was so bad that it actually ruined the first movie retroactively. I've been trying so hard to forget it even existed ever since then that I never imagined someone would try to fix it.

[@biltrex]

I saw Highlander 2 in the theater. Worse, I saw it before I’d seen the original. I barely had a grasp on what was happening. Glad to know I wasn’t alone. But now I need to watch this Renegade cut. Because I remember the original quite well. 😊

[@oldjoe2776]

Unfortunately, I actually paid money to see Highlander II in a theater when it came out. To this day I STILL want my money back.

[@Sithicas]

As soon as the group of us walked out of the theatre. We all agreed going forward, "friends don't let friends see Highlander 2"

[@johnk60]

I saw in theaters and was very upset that “they were aliens now.”

[@Consonat]

I love you giant freakin robot ❤️☘️ I rented the original sequel in the video store when it came out and I was not impressed but I am intrigued about the renegade version since I've never seen it. I was a teenager in that magical time of the 80s video rental era where anyone could discover an amazing movie just by chance. Keep rocking the good fight 🤟☘️

[@rickkearn7100]

Michael Ironside created a truly maniacal and villainous character. He's a great character or, 2nd lead kind of actor. I will definitely watch Highlander again. I'd forgotten about it until now. Cheers.

[@yb554]

I enjoyed the Highlander final dimension.

[@euansmith3699]

You just need to try and get in to the Zeistgeist.

[@jasonnewell7036]

I honestly forgot that John C. McGinley was in Highlander 2

[@shuboy05]

He has mentioned he was doing an Orson Welles impression in the movie. Which he admits was a huge mistake. To be honest just appearing in the movie was a huge mistake.

[@KennAKALeo]

I still remember the Friday night, 1 November 1991... It was maybe six months since my group of college friends had gone their separate ways, having graduated or transferred. Yet we all went to go see it that night. Not in one large group. But several small groups spread out over two states. And we all had the same reaction... See RM74319's comment. or "Highlander II: the Sickening".

[@jimclayson]

Oh, yes. I remember it very well. It was my senior year in high school. We were SO excited when we heard Highlander was getting a sequel!!! 😆 Then we WATCHED the sequel... 🤨 ...it was not good... 🙈🙉🙊 I've never watched the Dirctor's Cut. I don't like that no one else will get to experience the ORIGINAL cut the way I did. It was excruciatingly painful to watch, and I'd like to share that experience as fully as possible. One cannot simply explain what "Highlander 2" was like... it must be LIVED. 😐

[@BeardedBored]

I have only ever seen the original. I know it sucked, but I enjoyed it anyway. I'll have to find the renegade version to see how it compares.

[@leohillmann6717]

We don't talk about Highlander 2

[@patrickprosser8227]

Roger Ebert was far too generous. I went to see it for free and still demanded my money back.

[@brianmckeever5280]

So agree with the assessment of the lack of quality in the sequel. I bought the VHS movie a lifetime ago and it was such a disappointment.

[@OlgaPluyshka]

We were gamers, we would play Highlander soundtrack often while RPGing or Starfleet battles. Our favorite memory has to be the night when we looped the sound track and every time the news flash came out about the decapitated head found lying next to the body, this one guy playing would die. It took three times for us to even figure it out and on the fourth, we had started the song over after just died. Highlander 2, we were there opening night. We enjoyed it and laughed at it. It was absurd joy to just go, WTF. It was a fun film. We were wierd people then and now.

[@GuttersMN]

Saw this turkey on opening day. We were in line for the second showing. As the first showing let out, the people coming out of the theater told us "go home- it's horrible" That is not a good sign, and we should have listened. At the jump cut to "Meanwhile on the planet Ziest" the entire theatre started yelling and screaming, and not in the good way. Bottom line- it was bad.

[@michaeldreibelbis9529]

Well, now I’ll have to actually seek out the “Renegade” version. I’d heard good things about it (especially the deleting of Zeist)… once you remove Zeist, it might be possible to run something reasonable using the original ideas…

[@paulmcgrath2175]

Yes, saw the theatrical version on tv back in the day and never wish to see it again. I never knew it was fixed until now.

[@RudyNess]

I saw Highlander 2 in the cinema, I really enjoyed it. I was also 9 years old.

[@Cathmoytura]

I'm sorry you went through that at such a young age.

[@13thcentury]

And no one called Child Protection 😅

[@therecanbeonly1497]

Highlander is such an incredibly entertaining film - one of my all time favorites. It's so frustrating to me that they couldnt just let it be a standalone film. I saw the original cut of the sequel on TV back in the 90s and remember being very annoyed by it. I never knew it had been updated / edited in any way after that. Im not going to buy it on DVD or anything, but i may see if it's streaming somewhere.

[@holeymcsockpuppet]

I remember seeing it in the theater, and I was like, "Aliens?!!! What the F?!!!"

[@TheDarqueOne]

I have never seen the renegade or special edition. It’s only somewhere between 5-10 years ago that I even became aware of them. I’ve only ever seen the theatrical cut on either VHS or TV

[@Marveryn]

same here

[@bdgza]

I saw Highlander II on TV a long long time ago but all I remember from it is the shield.

[@kurtb8474]

I love Highlander! Being of Scottish descent I was delighted that they chose a Scotsman for the main character. And ancient Scotland to be the place of his origin. I'm also a fan of Christopher Lambert. What I didn't understand is why the chose to cast an American, who was raised in Switzerland and with a strong Swedish accent, to play a Scotsman and a Scottish actor to play a Spaniard.

[@GiantFreakinRobot]

I don't get it either, honestly. Some people can do a good job trying to speak in a different accent though, but the producers just assume that people can't decipher accents, I guess.

[@RothLepard]

In July 1991, at Con-Version VIII (a Calgary SF, Fantasy and Horror Con) someone had gotten a copy of Highlander 2: The Quickening from overseas. I hadn't even heard there was going to be a sequal. Watched in one of the movie rooms and wondered how stoned people were to make this film. Then a few months later it was released in the US and Canada. I still wondered. Not sure if I've seen the Renegade version. Now I'll have to

[@icanseenowherefromhere8995]

I'd have to track down my DVD, but either the theatrical cut was released on DVD with the renegade version or special edition, or there is another cut that includes the alien explanation of the immortals. Personally, I prefer that explanation over the time travel. The issue I had is that the style of Highlander 2 is nothing like the original, either TV series, or the other movies. The problem with the whole franchise is that every release retcons at least part of what came before it. Each one tried to convince you that they took place in the same universe, but were filled with so many plot holes and retcons to make it near impossible for them to have anything in common other than the names "Highlander" and "MacLeod".

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Highlander was a great movie and one that I only appreciated a little more as I got older. I have an older brother who gave me access to some great movies. I mostly think about movies like Aliens, Dune, Jaws and Terminator first but Highlander did so much with its budget. Highlander 2 was such a weird direction to go.

[@DyrewulfNV]

I saw a meme the other day, it was a kid and his dad, and the dad was saying 'what did you thing of Highlander?' and the kid said 'That was great! Were there any sequels?' The dad stares for one panel, then in the final panel says 'No.'

[@undulated]

For homework, we had to watch a film at home and at school, we had to describe what we saw and tell the story of the film. I watched Highlander 2. After that, my father was called in to see my teacher... My father just told me not to talk about any R rated films at school. So I still got to watch what ever I wanted, as long as it was not too violent and not too too wild. I think I was 11 or 12 years old back then.

[@Conner3030]

I can not hate on Highlander 2 too much I did not know Highlander existed till I saw the commercial for The Quickinng.

[@geoffchurchill5492]

if only they had realised Prequels were a possibility this travesty would never had existed

[@Mercer0516]

I remember seeing the weird "they're actually aliens" cut on TV as a kid. It'd be years later before watching the "sanitized" version. I put it on the long list of "if y'all had just called it something else." Terrible (yet fun) Highlander movie, but was actually pretty good for like an alternate universe take on the concept.

[@raymondparisza5094]

I was this old when I found out Highlander 2 had a different cut. I saw it when it first came out on vhs, with all the alien nonsense, and never looked back. Might watch the “new” version

[@neurogenesis9179]

I first watched Highlander when I was about 9 years old so I only remember the sword fights, and somehow the story line of part 2 reminds me of Dragon Heart, which Sean Connery( hope I spelled that right for the perfectionists who AREN'T authors or editors) also played in as a VA. It was of course, the binding part. But as a writer, any sequel I create would obviously be a continuation and not a rewrite, so I don't end up doing anything as contradictory as changing the details of my origin story. I accepted that Evil Dead 2 was like a recap/alteration to the first one, but was still canon with minute changes, and was still a continuation. Sorry for the anecdotal explanation

[@EricBinford]

My best buddy and I, being huge fans of the 1st film, drove to another state to see part 2. As long as I live, I'll never forget my vest friend, in a full theater screaming... "What The F**?" Folks really didn't do that then. Ahh...memories. The poster art was awesome.