Adrian Paul in "Highlander: The Source"
courtesy of the Sci Fi Channel
"Highlander: The Source" (Sci Fi Channel)

It has been approximately twenty years since the first "Highlander" film appeared. Christopher Lambert played the "highlander" in that first movie, but the most celebrated actor for the role is Adrian Paul. He returns to play Duncan McLeod in this new movie version which will be shown on the Sci Fi Channel this month.

Duncan McLeod is an "immortal." These people are characterized by three facts. They cannot die unless their head is severed form their body. Any immortal who kills another immortal gains power from the killing. Immortals can not reproduce. Got that? There will be a test at the end.

When the movie opens the world has become an apocalyptic place. Duncan McLeod is brooding over the loss of his true love Anna (Thekla Reuten). She left him when she learned he could not give her a child. Now she is seeking "the source," a mysterious place where peace for the world can be found.

Eventually Duncan joins her in this search along with a group that includes his best friend Joe Dawson (Jim Byrnes) and his biggest rival Methos (Peter Wingfield). They are aided in their search by visions Anna receives guiding her to the place where the source can be located.

The movie is not that involving and would be even less so were it not for the performance by Paul. He has been a part of the "Highlander" series for so long that he has become the cornerstone of these adventures. He has the rugged charm plus the physical strength to make McLeod imposing and reliable.

Reuten is okay as his love interest. There is a fair amount of chemistry between her and Paul. Byrnes is enjoyable in his role and makes McLeod a warmer person because of his own personal charm.

Fans of the earlier movies will eat this one up. It is definitely more of the same. "Highlander" fans are very devoted and want a certain air to the scenery and a true continuation of the basic plot. They get all that here, and more.

For those fans "Highlander: The Source" is a major event. For the rest of us it is a moderately enjoyable film.

"Highlander: The Source" airs on the Sci Fi Channel, September 20 at 9PM and October 13 at 4:30PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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