W2TCH

Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1995)

1995 • 1h 39m • Adventure, Fantasy • R
On October 3, 2026
#15097
15097th by Pulse movie online
2.8PULSEPulse MeterOur daily Pulse Meter measures public activity and popularity signals across the web.How it works →

All reviews

Filipe Manuel Neto on Highlander III: The Sorcerer

3/10 · Oct 18, 2022

A sincere apology seems due to those who enjoyed the initial film, as it remains somewhat unconvincing. There are times when even someone with simple tastes can sense that a movie is destined for disaster. That feeling definitely applies to “Highlander II,” which is likely among the worst sequels ever created. Those involved in producing this film seemed aware of its shortcomings and attempted to remedy them by essentially erasing it from existence, choosing instead to return to the original story and build upon its foundation. The outcome wasn’t a triumph, but at least it didn't feel like an outright betrayal. The screenplay details what transpired after Connor MacLeod left Scotland, still grieving over the loss of his first wife. His journey takes him to Japan, where he seeks guidance from a wise sorcerer named Nakano. It turns out another immortal warrior, Kane, also wanted to confront Nakano, intending to kill him and absorb his magic and power. The confrontation results in the sorcerer’s death. In the present day, his cave is discovered along with remains indicating Connor's presence, which piques the interest of archaeologists and historians, as Connor, now a respected antique dealer, prepares for an ultimate showdown with Kane. The script itself is quite flawed and presents some absurd possibilities to anyone familiar with history. However, it’s noticeably better than what came before and more consistent with the spirit of the original film, which can be considered a positive aspect. Still, it doesn't offer anything genuinely new or innovative, aside from a few scenes set in Baroque Europe and Revolutionary France. Even the antagonist feels like a rehash of the villain from the first movie. The actors do their best, but only Christopher Lambert delivers a performance that’s worth praising. There are numerous instances where situations feel contrived, and characters don't seem to be acting with any intelligence. Mako makes an effort to portray his character with sincerity and authenticity, which is commendable, but everything else fades from memory quickly. Mario Van Peebles seems to focus solely on deepening his voice, making it as gravelly as possible, while Deborah Unger appears to simply fill a decorative role. The film also attempted to replicate the visual style of its predecessor. The cinematography and special effects are noteworthy, successfully recreating some of the spectacle of the first movie, though lacking in originality. I appreciated the scenes set in different historical periods; they weren’t exceptional, but provided a glimpse into the main character's past. The soundtrack once again relies on heavy rock music, but is ultimately unremarkable.

Source on TMDB