Highlander 3: The Final Dimension MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

This sequel returns to the original "Highlander" story of Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert). MacLeod, a Scot Highlander who cannot die leaves Scotland after the death of his first wife. He journeys to Japan to learn more skills from Nakano (Mako), another Immortal. Nakano, swordmaker and master of the power of illusion, teaches MacLeod oriental martial arts-style swordfighting. Both are sought by Kale (Mario Van Peeples), an evil Immortal. When an Immortal kills another by beheading, the dead one's powers are absorbed by the victor. When Kale beheads Nakano, MacLeod escapes an earthquake which buries Kale. Four hundred years later, the evil Immortal Kale is released from Nakano's cave. Still searching for MacLeod, Kale goes to New York where MacLeod is known as Russell Nash, dealer in antiques. Nash has attracted the attention of Alex (Deborah Unger), an expert on Japanese archeology. Kale uses his absorbed power of illusion to threaten Alex and then Macleod's adopted son, drawing MacLeod to a showdown. Ultimately "there can be only one" Immortal, good or bad. Action and special effects make this sequel passable entertainment.

When beheading is the only way to kill an Immortal, you can expect violence. When Nakano is beheaded, the severed head continues to talk to Kale. Fortunately, not all the beheadings are graphic, but a few stabbings with a sword are. When MacLeod cuts Kale in two, the two halves magically rejoin. Occultic power is implied in Nakano's cave as a statue's eyes and head move. Creating illusions of a rod becoming a snake, Kale turning into a raven and images of danger to frighten MacLeod's young son may send wrong messages to young viewers. Reincarnation may be implied by Alex's resemblance to MacLeod's lover during the French revolution. Sex is implied in both centuries, once in a hayloft, once in a bedroom with shadow obscured nudity. On the plus side, MacLeod is a good father and marriage to Alex is implied. Interestingly, Immortals can't kill on sacred ground, whether a Japanese shrine or Protestant church. Nevertheless, the current trend to attract youngsters to violence through fantasy and mysticism in films, computer and video games and comic books is disturbing.

Preview Reviewer: Paul R. Bicking
Distributor: Miramax Films, 18 E. 48th St., NY, NY 10017