Highlander Remake Script Review: Does it Suck, or Does it Not NOT Suck?
Featured, Highlander (Remake 2010) Movie — By Nix on June 4, 2009
I’ve mostly become used to reporting on unnecessary remakes of recently released movies by Hollywood, mostly because, well, what’s the point? We can bitch and moan all we want, but it ain’t gonna stop them. So, with that said, what’s been happening with the “Highlander” remake? Unfortunately they’re still going through with it, and the boys over at the CC2K have gotten their hands on the new script. So what’s the verdict? Predictably lacking, I’m afraid.
Here are some of the highlights (or lowlights, depending on your POV):
- Swords are so last century. These new immortals use firearms as well as swords. At one point MacLeod attempts to take out his arch nemesis the Kurgan with a sniper rifle. Ramirez, as well, advises MacLeod to always learn the ways of the boom boom makers.
- All the characters from the original are back, but with minor tweaks. MacLeod, his old love Heather, his mentor Ramirez, and his new love Brenda.
- The Kurgan is no longer just evil because he was born into a barbaric tribe, but now he has father issues stemming from being sentenced to death by Daddy. He also likes to cheat, which isn’t really new, but his methods for cheating seems to make the rules the Immortals battle under very flexible.
- MacLeod is now a pacifist professor who teaches history at a Christian university, and avoids fighting as much as possible, though he still kills when he can’t avoid it.
- By killing another Immortal, you gain their personality as well as their skills. I’m not sure if this happened with the original, though I think it was weaved into the mythology somewhat by the end of the last sequel — i.e. you get stronger with each Immortal you kill because you absorb their battle skills.
- The final battle between MacLeod and the Kurgan now takes place in Central Park, New York.
Below: “What are you talking about? I don’t cheat! I sorta, you know, don’t follow the rules.”
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30 Comments
Okay this just sounds bad. Central park fight, ok, using guns, i can deal( dont like it though) but the sniper riffle is a bit much. And just ignoring the rules of the “game” not cool. I dont even know what to think other than “DONT DO IT!”
Ok why is people in Hollywood take a gem and turn it into a turd? We dont want meaningless CGI effects, and taking original films and adding your spin on them is just dumb! Immortals do not use guns, even the most ruthless Immortals have a sence of code and honor when it comes to the game, or call it ego to beat another Immortal with your own sword.
This will fail bigtime
the original highlander does not need a remake, its a classic! it has some cheese, but it is fine.. I’m sick of everyone thinking every old movie out there needs a remake or a reboot.. some things are better left alone.
I’m not much for remakes but it beats the hell out of what we have to watch now. I wouldn’t even mind if it became a series again. I am SOOOO tired of reality tv! DAMN!! I think swallowed my vomit again.
The series were better than the movies. One of the few shows, that to me was an improvement, with Buffy of course being one. I also liked what they did with Beastmaster, and Stargate (though those I hold on equal footing show and movie).
That did always bother me its like why wouldn’t they use guns?
I’m game for that sounds badass. Just guns should only be a warm up or side to the sword battles you know?
being a pacifist is great for Mcleod character its like even more makes him the ultimate hero.
I LOVED the Kurgan before so seeing more of him would be awesome.
I prefer if he isn’t evil for no bloody reason, but it should be his nature nevertheless, whether anything in his past lit that spark or not.
the central park is a little iffy cus I really liked the rooftop battle. I think they SHOULD change it so I dont feel like I’m watching the same bloody thing, but they are creative people you should think of a more epic battleground than central park or flat rooftop. Heck id prefer a fiery empire state building or in a castle or something.
another interesting thing to see is the news feeding the final battle and the world coming to know of immortals or some other way. Well idk about that..
whatever Im psyched
Guns OK..If you read the book the film is based on kurgan was abused by his dad so nothing new there. Macleod being a pacifist adds to him. What I want to know is who will be playing the best part of all KURGAN..he is still the best baddy of all time
The book was written after the film was made.
I left my comments on comingsoon.net check it out. There’s like 145 reviews over there. The ideas in the new script are absolutely TERRIBLE!!! Bringing in guns?!?! The ritual of fighting with “edged weapons” is what made Highlander so bad ass! Don’t cheapen it with firearms. Only an uneducated school boy would go for the lame idea. Mcleod a pacifist? No such thing. Living as long as he’s lived a person would know the importance of defending his/herself in a dangerous world. History professor… fine.. just let him own a small antique shop(2nd income) on the first floor of his condo !! I personally like the idea of setting up sequels by having the “Gathering” in steps/phases. For example, you have them get the “irresistable pull” to the place of their birth. In the second movie those left in the same Hemisphere or continent battle it out and finally the remaining few battle it out in the final movie in the trilogy. You could bring in Watchers near the end of the first movie. You’d have to decide if you want Joe, Methos or Amanda characters. Watchers and Hunters (Like Horton) could have a much bigger role in the 2nd as they try to impose their will on the whole situation to effect their desired outcome. Have a class group of people brainstorming this thing for the best ideas! There are alot of ways to make this suck but there is a possibility that through alot of hard work… this could be AWESOME! Keys for success… (No particular order) *Casting (I’m thinking Gerrard Butler) NOT Thomas Jane… come on people, Thomas Jane a Highlander? You’ve GOT to be kidding! *Great STORY! *Excellent edged weapon choreography (They’d have to REALLY practice ALOT! No Choppy Camera work or crappy CGI) *Great romance *Suspense *Appropriate flash backs that gel with the movie.
GET THE LORE RIGHT!!! Define the prize!! Growing old and having kids? come one i know they can do better than that. Understanding world leaders and diplomats? That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to influence anything! Good definition of a prize so that it’s worth winning! The quickening should impart ONLY KNOWLEDGE from the fallen immortal to the victor! Sigh… I just REALLY want them to do this RIGHT!!!! SPEND THE TIME TO MAKE IT EXCELLENT!!! PLEASE!!!
The prize has never been defined, at one point “Growing old and the ability to have kids” was the prize in the movies and the series. And as for Gerard Butler, I think he’s great for the role, however he’s almost too BADASS for the role. Thomas Jane I’m not feeling because he won’t be able to pull off the accent. David Wenham (300, LOTR, Van Helsing) perhaps, or Karl Urban even (LOTR, Chronicles of Riddick, Doom, Pathfinder).
They should probably repaint the Mona Lisa and the Sistine Chapel. WHAT A BUNCH OF GREEDY BASTARDS.
I hadn’t thought of Karl Urban. I suppose he could work as Conner. Interesting….
Yeah, when that name popped in my head the others just disintegrated. I mean we know he’s good with a sword, can do the brooding thing, actually looks cooler than Lambert, and I think would be more badass. I mean Doom was a horrible movie, but he was decent in it.
Carl Urban cooler than Christopher Lambert in this role??I’m sorry but are you nuts??Lambert was the heart and soul of Highlander..he made the f****** film cool!!!
Well, the original Highlander movie was absolutely perfect — it was only the sequels that were horrible.
That said, I hope the remake will simply be a good movie, with enough differences from the original to not feel that it is the same thing all over again. It would be horribly disappointing if it showed the poor quality of the sequels.
I’ve been a Highlander fan for a very long time. A bigger fan of Connor then Duncan I’ll admit and it completely sucked that Connor was killed off. A remake isn’t a bad idea. Remakes don’t mean that the original is missing anything. But let’s face it, Highlander had some serious continuity problems. And the Sour Source just killed the franchise. Starting from scratch is the only way to breath live back into what is arguably left of the Highlander franchise.
Connor as a professor is a good idea due to his knowledge of history and his experience, but using a sniper rifle is something Connor would consider dishonorable. I don’t care for Connor as a pacifist. Ramirez embedded the thought of saving humanity in Connor.
A great Highlander film starting from scratch should show very little of present day. The majority of the film should display Connor’s experiences through time, traveling from country to country and interacting with other immortals. What relationships did he have with other immortals? Did he every bang a hot immortal chick? I can envision a story of Connor and Rebeca (teacher of Amanda) having a relationship. All of these small elements can make a good story that will most likely not be included in this film. Hope they can find a way to get it right.
How UNIMAGINATIVE……. sounds like the same story but… worse. I was under the impression that these BOZO’s might actually delve back into time… about the same time that Methos came about, etc….. having the same characters and doing the same film again seems to be a waste of time. Even if you’ve never seen the original…… it won’t sell.
Gee Hollywood …… try and come up with something …… NEW? good luck……. sounds like a BOX office crash.
Kudos.
patrick