The worst sequel ever made. This broke me | So Bad It's Good #97 - Highlander 2: The Quickening 

When talking about Highlander there should be only one.

The important thing to remember when ret-conning something for your sequel is that you should drastically change everything and make it all a lot worse.

If you see Zardoz you'll no longer wonder about how they got Sean Connery to do what he does in this film. This is nowhere near the weirdest thing he's ever done.

Let me help: Highlander 2 has basicaly 3 mayor cuts: - the original movie cut, where the immortals are aliens from Planet Zeist - this cut, where the immortals are time-travellers - and the most bonkers European Cut, which has them as aliens, but has an alternative ending, where McLeod and her current woman turn into force-ghosts, and travel to Planet Zeist in that form.

Ramirez came back when the 2nd birdman was killed. The 1st birdman gave the Highlander back his powers and the 2nd birdman's death restored Ramirez. If anyone cares, which they shouldn't.

I talked my dad into taking me to see this and we both suffered greatly.

This movie provides an important cinematic representation of what violently shitting the bed looks like. Utterly violent leg kicking bed shitting.

I can give just a tiny extra piece of clarity to this: Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert got to be really good friends while shooting the first movie and basically only did this movie so they could work together again. This is one of my favorite bits of trivia not only because it’s pretty darn wholesome, but also just how awesome you’d have to be to get Sean Connery to agree to do such a shit movie just to hang out with you.

This one almost broke the franchise. Thank god for the tv series that helped to undo this whole mess, even though the first season was bad the following seasons are awesome. If you guys have a chance please watch it. I love Lambert and his quirks, but Paul Adrian brought a lot to the lore of the Highlander and nails it!

When it comes to the Highlander franchise, there can be only one. The first movie, which is a goddamn classic.

"Why do you think Sean Connery's in hell" and "You're missing shopping" had me rolling.

Ironically you watched the "improved" version of this disaster. Seriously, the Theatrical Cut is even worse. The constant confusion from you guys at pretty much everything had me rolling. Imagine how we all felt watching the theatrical cut back in the day.

I bought it on VHS years ago, then watched it. It was so bad I stashed it at a friends house as a joke. Then he hid it at another friends house. This game is still going on, and brings us so much more enjoyment than the movie ever did.

A bigger travesty then this movie is that Jason has never seen Scrubs.

I actually saw the original cut in theaters when it came out, and I remember I was as confused as you guys are. The "past" scenes are actually the planet Zeist, and the Immortals are actually aliens. And it pretty much ruined Highlander until the TV series with Adrian Paul redeemed it and Highlander 2 isn't considered canon. This movie was painful to watch since Highlander is one of my all time favorite films.

I remember having the VCR set to record this when it was playing on cable (being a huge fan of the original movie and the TV series) and watching another channel with my grandma. After the show we were watching ended, I told her I wanted to check and see where we were with the recording on the VCR. I switched over, and I distinctly remember Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert in that turbine, with lightning and a lot of screaming. My grandma wondered what the hell it was I was recording, and I honestly didn't even know myself....

I love the fact that Sean Connery has played a Spaniard with a Scottish accent and also a Russian submarine commander with a Scottish accent. RIp my fellow Scotsman, fucking legend.

I doubt you will ever read this here on the channel but can I just say there is a far, far, far, far worse atrocity to the Highlander franchise that exists. Highlander: The Source. It's based on the TV show so is obviously lesser known but it is quite possibly the dumbest thing ever put to film. And I am in fact a real bad movie deep diver..

The thing I loved about the 1st movie, were the transitions between time periods. SO well done!

This movie destroyed me. I was in denial for a while after I watched this. I remember defending this movie to my friends. Then I slowly came to terms of how bad this was and how it retroactively ruined the first movie. I guess this helped me grow as a person because now my opinions on bad movies are no longer swayed by my love of superior movies in the same franchise, or the actors involved (see Star Wars).

Started watching about 6 months ago and now this is one of few highlights of my week. Glad that y'all have increased the videos per week.

I’m still trying to figure out how they brought back Sean Connery’s character. This movie was a tad bonkers.

“Hey why are we making sequels and a TV show from a movie where the theme is ‘There can be only one’?”

Didn't they blame the ozone layer hole on the 80's overuse of hairspray? 😂🤪

The first Highlander = Awsome Highlander 3 = okay, worth watching. Highlander 2 & whoever greenlit the project can go fornicate themselves with a rusty wire brush.

I saw this movie in the theater in Highschool and I couldn’t have been more disappointed.

Michael Ironside real name is Frederick Reginald Ironside in case anyone was still wondering

The pure and utter confusion this movie caused in both of you was absolutely glorious to watch.

Words cannot convey my excitement for this. I always thought this gem was somehow too "mainstream" to appear on your radar, but it appears my unspoken wishes have been granted.

I saw this in the theatre when it came out. When it was over everybody there looked shell shocked with confusion and anger. Much more so than buckaro banzi. And that's saying something.

I'm still recovering from watching this back in the 90s.

I can't lie, Jason - your ever-increasing rage during these really godawful movies is one of my favorite things on the internet. Because I feel your pain.

This movie taught me about disappointment in sequels...also the first 5 minutes were all questions the 11 year old me asked with no one or internet for help lol.

I'm anxiously waiting to see if they're watching the theatrical (aliens) or time travel version of the movie... Looks like they found the reedit that tried to get rid of the alien backstory. The theatrical version was even more bonkers with the immortals all prisoners from an alien planet sent to Earth as punishment. Seeing it on video back in the day was crazy confusing.

"It's a grunge thing." Pretty sure Connery missed his leotard from Zardoz being forced to deliver this garbage dialogue.

I cannot believe you guys did this one. First off, Jason's look directly at the camera when Ramirez fights the descending fan.... I did this exact same look but I actually did it when I SAW THIS IN THE THEATER. Yes for me and some friends from high school, the first movie was so special to us. And then I saw this upon release and watched them shit all over the first movie lol. My favorite story - one of those friends went to college in different state when this was released. When Lambert and Ironside are sword fighting in one room, and then back into another room and Lambert SUDDENLY HAS RAMIREZ'S KATANA SWORD with no explanation when they cut to the new room.... my high school buddy stood up in his theater and yelled "Aw C'MON!!!" at the screen lol.

The film was shot in my country, Argentina. I actually appear in it... I guess. I was one of the sick people on bed because of the radiation, all for a couple of seconds footage! And I have no idea if I made the cut! (I assume I didn't). A friend of mine appeared in the subway station walking back because of the "speed train".

26:38 you know what a slog it’s been getting to this point in the movie when the glasses come off. 30:14 sums the movie up perfectly. 😄 No joke, @Jason Brant I’ve never seen the ending to Highlander 2. I have never managed to get through it.

I know this is an old film and the comment will probably be missed but it was asked in the video how they managed to get Sean Connery back for this film. Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery became very close during the first film and when Lambert was coming back he called Connery and asked him to do the second film with him. Connery did it as a favor to Lambert but then apparently swore off doing any films of this genre until i believe he broke down and did the League of Extroridnary Gentlemen flim. I loved all the confusion but if still confused i'd love to clarify. The version you watched is this; Connor and Ramirez are from a planet named Zeist. They were sent into the past as punishment for rebelling on Zeist. They became immortal on our planet and who ever of the immortals is the last one after fighting can choose to grow old or return to Zeist and be forgiven. So all immortals in this are former Zeist natives. This movie was made to address the global crisis talk in the 90s about us destroying the planet and its o zone layer hence the strong emphasis on pollution and crap.

*Ramírez kills the woman on the plane and adjust her body so it looks like she is sleeping. a stewardess walks by* “She needs her beauty sleep”-Ramirez *Bond theme plays*

I remember watching my Mother slowly pass away due to pancreatic cancer. It was less painful than watching this movie.

I remember watching this nightmare on its cinema release. The Sean Connery scenes have a Godfrey Ho-ness to them. Detached from the rest of the movie.

I saw this movie in the theater. I left the theater speechless and stunned. I was as if the director and writers had never even seen the first movie.

Wow, that was Brutal. And I was only watching snippets while you guys saw the whole mess!! Yeesh. Thank God for the hilarious and critical commentary!

It's amazing how all of the versions of this movie have drastically different origins for the immortals. The original had them being aliens from the planet Zeist, and subsequent versions changed it to the past and painted over the alien architecture with ancient middle eastern architecture and redubbed everything to remove all references to aliens. They also updated many of the unfinished effects, like the Quickenings, the planetary shield, and the compositing of the buildings over the landscapes. There's also a whacky ass alternate ending you can find where Connor takes Louise back to Zeist and they fly off together in space. Truly "A New Kind of Magic" as the tagline for this movie goes. Very weird all around, but this is still not the worst film in the series! 3 and Endgame are okay, but Highlander: The Source is a HORRIFIC Syfy level production and is suppose to be a follow up to the show. Definitely worth a look if you hate yourself and want to see Duncan MacLeod gain super speed in a magic fight at the end! PS: Going by the original edit where they are aliens, Ramirez is now an Alien who is pretending to be Egyptian who is pretending to be Spanish and is played by a Scotsman. Mind blown PPS: I'm sad you didn't include the scene where Katana kills Blake (John C. McGinley) by demolishing his nuts. PPPS: I noticed when I last watched this that MacLeod has Ramirez's katana on his belt in multiple scenes in the finale, despite it being destroyed alongside Ramirez. I think there were some extensive reshoots.

Whenever I find out that someone has discovered the first Highlander movie, I always say ‘great, but never, EVER watch the sequel’. It just pisses on everything good about the original. Aliens…god almighty 🤦🏻‍♀️🤯

Ramirez is travelling by plane. You can see the shield through the window. Doesn't that mean they're above it?

Wow, that was quite a thing🤣🤣🤣🤣I'd forgotten how bad that was! You guys didn't look drunk enough 🤣🤣🤣

While people say that only the original movie is good, its not actually true. None of the live action movies is any good, but there was a Highlander animated movie, Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, that is surprisingly good. For one it's never made clear how an immortal grows more powerful as he ages, but when you add anime bullshit, cutting bullets out of the air and growing impossibility skilled with age, that movie becomes maybe the only Highlander property to properly convey why an ancient immortal is a power to be reckoned with. It also has a great villain. The main character is a bit flat, which is actually a plot point, but Marcus Octavius is pure bad guy gold.

You should watch John Travolta's new movie: "The Fanatic". It is absolutely insane, the first line in the movie alone already makes it SBIG. Another recommendation that goes more in the corny/cheesy direction is "Faust - Love of the Damned". It was a try and fail at the "edgy" superhero movies of the early 2000s (think Daredevil with Ben Affleck, but much worse).

Damn you guys are churning out the vids, good on your work ethic. Love this chan, always a guaranteed set of laughs. Keep on watchin!

I loved the original Highlander movie. When I saw this I almost broke, like full on mental collapse. It was so jarring and weird. The third movie basically ignored this movie, as if it never happened, though it isn't much better. So thankful that the TV series was good, for the most part.

"I saw it for the first time a few months ago...." .......JUST a few months ago?!? How has that man gone this far in life without watching Highlander?!? Jason, hit him for me!!!

I watched this as a kid and as an adult I thought I was going crazy because every time I saw it they had the alien stuff edited out.

Congratulations Jason. This movie made me realize I need to watch you watch entire movies. Signing up for the Patreon right now.

Memphis Tennessee showing love🤝🏾..y’all funny as hell love the chemistry amongst you guys. Keep ‘em coming!

i actually watched this one first, then the original when I was a kid. I can confirm there is no correct way to do it. 'Highlander 5: The Source' is equally batshit crazy....but which a much lower budget. I really wanted to see you guys watch this, until it happened. Now I just feel bad for you.

Yes they’re aliens. Like wtf. It’s stated since they changed this concept about the “immortals”, now being aliens, it broke with the canon of the original film and that director’s vision. There’s a director’s cut called the Renegade Version which they cut out all mention of aliens and the third movie doesn’t recognize this movie at all in the Highlander trilogy. This not only broke me but was so heartbreaking. The first movie was amazing and never should have had sequels.

This really one of the biggest dives yet in movie history when it comes to sequels.

One of the big questions from the first movie was "Why would Sean Connery's character help Lambert's character, since they may end up fighting each other and only one immortal can survive?" I'm 7-minutes into this video and I think that's what this sequel is trying to answer. I'm with you guys. The first movie was fine, and we don't need that answer.

Wow this brings back bad memories, can't wait to watch your reactions! The first movie was great, the TV show was fun, the sequels though.... 😶

The crazy thing is when you look at this movie on paper and its original form it was a really interesting and potentially good film. But man the Director cannot make up his mind what the hell he was making

Dude I recently rewatched this and was left scratching my head. Like, I vividly remembered the ozone shield being bright red and them clearly coming from another planet lol... so yeah, apparently, this is the "improved" version lol.

bagpipes playing when ever Sean is " active " in this is hilarious, excellent scottish accent Brian

I remember watching an interview Connery did in the 80's where he once told the interviewing reporter that yes, he has hit a woman before because women get emotional when they argue and kind of crazy so it was the only way he knew to calm them back down and make them reasonable. A decade later the same female reporter interviewed him again and asked if he regretted anything he said in their last discussion and he just kind of stared at the camera thinking hard and went "mmm.... no. Can't really recall anything." So she showed him a clip of it and his face lit up before saying "Ah! Yesh, I remember now. Nope. Still feel the same." Connery was a man that truly gave no fucks, that legend.

I loved the look at the camera in confusion from Jason as Sean Connery used his force powers to stop the bladed death trap lol

My buddies and I saw this in the theatres, opening week. We walked out so pissed! To this day we talk about how bad it was, and how much we still hate it.

When Jason said "This is madness" to Brian, I half-expected Brian to say "This is Sparta" but he dropped the ball there. What a shame.

I remember when I watched a mini-marathon of Highlander movies on TV when I was about 13 or 14. It consisted of the first and second movies only (condensed for time management) and there was a stark contrast in quality, between the two. You have my condolences. I don't have any clue what they were thinking with this one.

I remember seeing this in a movie theater shortly after seeing the original on VHS. 16-year old me thought the second one would be just as cool. The theater was full of people who were as excited as me. As the movie unfolded, I could feel the whole audience freezing in sheer horror. To add insult to injury, we even got the infamous "fairytale" ending. After paying a ticket for this, I felt like I had been robbed and raped at the same time.

Virginia Madsen absolutely has to join the show for an episode now, no way around it!

You’ve guys earned a new sub. Not just because you put yourselves through these horrible movies for our amusement… but also because you look like Hank Hill.

I saw this in like 94, after the tv show hooked me as a 12 year old, and then the first movie. This movie almost gave me a traumatic brain injury.

I was so happy watching this knowing what was going to happen waiting for your reactions 😂

As with a lot of horrible movies, there has been a movement by people with no taste to re-evaluate this movie and try to claim it’s not a giant steaming pile. Thank you for doing this, it reminded me of how bad it really is.

This movie should be used as an example of how to utterly confuse a franchise’s canon.

The monologue from the council explaining to Connery and Lambert before going to earth is like an episode of Southpark. That bein said I saw this in the theatre when it came out😂

what part of "THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!" did the studio not understand?

Love the Beer reviews Fella's. Keep them coming...

15:30 Literally clotheslined. 20:10 Just followed the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy. 20:30 Scene from the last 10 minutes of Total Recall (1990) makes it into the movie. 21:22 HighBLANDER. 26:41 Misery loves company? 33:58 So she stayed in character. 37:22 This movie hurt my brain.

From IMDB Trivia on this movie: Michael Ironside recalled his experiences on this movie: "Yeah, listen, I hated that script. We all did. Me, Sean, Chris, we all were in it for the money on this one. I mean, it read as if it had been written by a thirteen-year-old boy. But I'd never played a barbarian swordsman before, and this was my first big evil mastermind-type. I figured if I was going to do this stupid movie, I might as well have fun, and go as far over the top as I possibly could. All that eye-rolling and foaming at the mouth was me deciding that if I was going to be in a piece of shit, like that movie, I was going to be the most memorable fucking thing in it, and I think I succeeded."

"Is this the right movie?" A question many were asking in 1991.

"FREE MEN OF THE PLANET, HEAR ME." was the re-edited line, sir.

I never knew they made a sequel until now. Thanks guys for the pain lol.

Michael Ironside's reaction to this script was probably "Ah well, this it shit. But I'm gonna have *fun* with it!"

Love that you're doing two vids a week... gutted that one of them was wasted on this film 😄

In College 30 of us declared "There can be only one" and refused to ever admit this existed!!!

From Wikipedia; The film was shot almost entirely in Argentina after the country's economy crashed; as the local economy experienced hyperinflation, the film's investors and completion bond company took direct control of production and final edit, removing director Mulcahy and his creative influence while changing parts of the story.

The real reason Sean Connery is in this movie was because Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery became good friends to each other during the filming of the first Highlander. Even during the breaks on the set, they labeled themselves the names of their characters for fun. Sean Connery did not want to be in this movie, saying "no" to almost anyone asking him to appear on the plan. Only when Christopher Lambert asked him to appear in the film, he agreed. However, Sean Connery was only on set for a maximum of 7 days due to other professional commitments.

There should've been only one! Aside from that awesome straight to video anime movie from 2007 called Highlander: The Search For Vengeance, which is more an alternate universe spin off story than a sequel. It's honestly the only thing up to par with the original movie, narratively it's probably better. I think you guys need to watch it to help treat the horrific damage your psyches have incurred from watching Highlander 2.

I often wonder if this was a script for an entirely different movie and they just decided to slap the Highlander name on it.

You sure Sean Connery wouldn't go to hell just to teach the devil some bloody manners? Seemed like the type.

I like how they are “let do it here in the alley way after you killed some people”

In the Director's Cut, we can hear what Ramirez whispers in the woman's ear on the plane: he says that dark-haired women "like to sit on men's faces". In Connery's defense, I'm pretty sure the director told him to just whisper something that would make the actress laugh, and he improvised that, which clearly worked.

There is good reason why my friends and I refer to this as "Highlander 2: The Sickening - There should have been only one" and discount it from the Highlander universe because both the series and the subsequent movies ignore it too :p It has to be the most pointless sequel ever, though urban legend states that it was apparently made to explain what the immortals are as some people had a hard time understanding the original. Things should have been left as they were as it didn't need explaining.

This is perhaps the most gorgeous-looking and shot but incomprehensible sequel.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time." -Phil Lambert, The Highlandering.

21:00 one of the more baffling decisions in a movie filled with baffling decisions is how the recut moves this as if it's _trying_ to make as little sense as possible; the theatrical cut straight-up starts with the shield going up instead of starting with complete lack of any context. The movie being "Immortals are from another planet called Zeist" is dumber than "the past" and yet somehow also makes more sense as a whole. 23:00 It's not particularly well-communicated, but the idea is that running the shield is handled by a private business; they already know the ozone layer has regenerated and are keeping it from the public because their entire business model goes poof if the world realizes the shield isn't needed anymore. 33:20 When Ramirez dies he says "You must search out Katana. It will take the power of you both to destroy the shield." The way the scene is shot makes it look like he's talking about MacLeod and his lady friend, it's supposed to mean it will take MacLeod and _Katana,_ as in, MacLeod has to take Katana's quickening to survive standing in the beam to cut it off instead of being disintegrated. It's a (very poor) attempt to up the stakes further by making Katana not just MacLeod's personal nemesis, but standing in the way of larger goals as well.

Just re-watched the first one recently after over a decade, and I was so excited the moment I saw the Cannon Films logo pop up.

From wikipedia "The film was shot almost entirely in Argentina after the country's economy crashed; as the local economy experienced hyperinflation, the film's investors and completion bond company took direct control of production and final edit, removing director Mulcahy and his creative influence while changing parts of the story." that explains a lot