One of movie-land’s all time favs, starring Sean Connery & Christopher Lambert. Immortals battle one another to the death through the centuries until only one remains. One who will receive the ultimate prize.
Much akin to 2009’s Immortal Edition, this latest 30th Anniversary version is presented to us in 1.85:1, its original aspect ratio, with 1080p transfer. Additionally, Immortal’s deleted scenes and director Russell Mulcahy’s commentary are accompanied by 2 brand new interviews with Russell and Lambert himself. What’s more, a 4th featurette entitled ‘IV. The List of Producers’ is tacked in suspiciously seamless fashion on to the 3-Part ‘Makin of’ documentary produced back in 2006. Following chapters ‘I. A Legend Is Born’, ‘II. The Visual Style’ and ‘III. A Strong Woman’, part 4 takes its running time from 85 minutes up to just under the 2 hour mark. Will we receive a part 5 for the 40th and part 6 for the 50th? Who knows!
To all those noise filter haters, yes, the film’s classic grainy features live on, only considerably cleaner and sharper than past DVD releases. Sadly, that lighting scene still doesn’t look right, but then again it never did. Best to just salute it with a slight side grin and a knowing shake of the head. The blue bolts of energy that slowly surge through the cars after the opening fight sequence still look pretty rad. And the quickening, well…it’s clearer, but some things never really change.
Things like the fact the Kurgan still freaks the fuck out of me during the flashback scenes, Connery is still funny as shit, Lambert still has the worst Scottish accent in film history and Queen’s ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ is still hauntingly beautiful, even as it chews up your heart and spits it out. Some things just shouldn’t change. Especially when it comes to our old favourites.