Highlander 2: The Quickening is the only non-James Bond sequel in Sean Connery’s filmography, and it marks the biggest critical and commercial disaster of his career. Despite being on a hot streak during the early 1990s, having starred in successful films like The Untouchables, The Hunt for Red October, and The Rock, Connery returned to reprise his role as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez in the 1991 sequel.
The film reteams Connery with Christopher Lambert’s MacLeod, despite the fact that his character had been decapitated by the villainous Kurgan in the original Highlander. Connery’s return was a surprise to fans, and the role amounts to an extended cameo. The film was plagued by a legendary messy production, with the director being replaced and the production bond company taking control of the final cut.
Despite the film’s poor quality, Connery’s presence does liven up the proceedings, and his charm and charisma are still noticeable even in the film’s most undercooked moments. However, Highlander 2 is widely regarded as one of the worst movies ever made, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 0% and grossing less than half of its $34 million production budget.
The film’s production was marked by financial difficulties, with the economy collapsing in Argentina where filming took place, leading to hyperinflation and steep production costs. The franchise continued with various sequels and TV shows, but Highlander 2 was Connery’s last stop with the series.
Despite being a disaster, Highlander 2 does have some memorable moments, particularly when Connery is on screen. The film’s chemistry between Lambert and Connery works well, although the plotholes and poor explanation of the plot are plentiful. Highlander 2 is a tough watch, even for fans of the franchise, and its poor reception has made it a cult classic of sorts.