Highlander II: The Quickening
Performance & Direction: Highlander II: The Quickening Review
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Fantasy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Highlander II: The Quickening features a noteworthy lineup led by Christopher Lambert . Supported by the likes of Sean Connery and Virginia Madsen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Highlander II: The Quickening
Quick Plot Summary: Highlander II: The Quickening is a Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction film that transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. In the year 2024, the ozone layer is believed to have been destroyed, and it's up to MacLeod and Ramirez to set things right. Opposition comes from both the planet Zeist (MacLeod and Ramirez's homeworld) and a corporation profiting from the supposed lack of ozone. Also, flashbacks show the story behind MacLeod and Ramirez's exile from Zeist. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Highlander II: The Quickening
Ending Breakdown: Highlander II: The Quickening attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to fantasy resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Highlander II: The Quickening reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Highlander II: The Quickening?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Fantasy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Highlander II: The Quickening
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $34.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $15.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Highlander II: The Quickening Budget
The estimated production budget for Highlander II: The Quickening is $34.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Highlander II: The Quickening
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Amazon VideoHighlander II: The Quickening Parents Guide & Age Rating
1991 AdvisoryWondering about Highlander II: The Quickening age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Highlander II: The Quickening is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.7/10, and global performance metrics, Highlander II: The Quickening is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1991 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highlander II: The Quickening worth watching?
Highlander II: The Quickening is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 4.7/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Highlander II: The Quickening parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Highlander II: The Quickening identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Highlander II: The Quickening?
The total duration of Highlander II: The Quickening is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.
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How Highlander II: The Quickening Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Highlander II: The Quickening
**Don't watch this movie: time wasting danger.** Dear reader, I start with a challenge: think about sequels to great movies. There's no shortage of great and valorous titles, which otherwise contradict the general idea that sequels are flawed films and doomed to failure, right? But there is also the other side of the coin, and a long list of names that gave strength to this installed belief. This movie is, indeed, an excellent candidate for a spot on the disgraceful list of the worst sequels ever released! Well, “Highlander” was a film that, despite the criticisms and weaknesses (I didn't spare myself to list them in the review I wrote for it), worked well and gave the audience pure fun and entertainment. This film, however, completely ignores it, contradicts the entire story of the first film and gives us... an hour and a half of rubbish that involves things as absurd as a threat of extinction due to the disappearance of the ozone layer and the return of characters who actually died in the first film, because they came from another dimension conveniently created for that purpose! Fans of the first film rightfully booed it, condemning it to oblivion. I believe that everyone involved, from the director to the actors, prefers to ignore this humiliation that they subject themselves for a good pack of dollars. Sean Connery, for example, seems to be parodying himself, and Christopher Lambert seems contrived and unbelievable in his old age outfit. Although the list of actors includes other relatively respectable names, there isn't a single actor here that could be worth the painful effort of seeing the film... and believe me, I saw it in its entirety and felt I would have made better use of my time watching the Teletubbies.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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