Andy and Larry Wachowski have a real mean streak within their film-style.  They know how to tell a story, create suspense, and still draw scenes out way too long. Still, this lesbian/mob thriller is original, engaging, and for the most part, unpredictable.   While it manages to be extremely violent at times, and uneducated characters expound quick-paced dialogue, this is "not"  yet another Tarentino rip-off.   There's some real talent at work, and the Bros lend their insight in an audio commentary that is an option on the DVD as it was on the previously released laser.   The picture is much sharper than the laser disc version with deeper contrast and more distinct fleshtones in darker scenes. Its 1.85:1 aspect ratio remains intact. The Dolby Digital sound offers some creative moments, although it's often passive. 

The same Deluxe Collector's Edition, less the 3-D sword jacket-insert,  that on laserdisc sold for $69.95 is now available for only $24.95 in the DVD format.  The picture is even glossier than on the laserdisc transfer, with deeper colors and no artifacts at all.  The Dolby Digital soundtrack is exactly the same as on laser, and a major improvement over the previous Dolby surround offering. The sword fights are much more thrilling now that the enhanced separational effects truly put the viewer in the middle of the duels. All this, while Queen's  hard-rock music score thumps in the background  with more bass due to the improved bass response of  Dolby Digital! One criticism:Why doesn't the chapter index detail restored inserts in the same way it does for Highlander 2:Renegade version?

Director Russel Mulcahy apparently had an uphill struggle in releasing his original version of "Highlander 2:Renegade Version."  His time could've been put to better use. While the new footage makes some sense of  things, there's still plenty that makes no sense.  While scenes obviously intended to give more depth to the lead characters are now longer, the characters still come off as cartoons.  Any fan of the original should be disappointed with this disappointing follow-up.  However, the imagery created by Mulcahy is often fascinating!  It also looks sensational with the improved transfer of this DVD.  The recent laserdisc version was in pretty good shape, but it took the DVD image to show how much more could be done with it.   Mulcahy uses 2.35:1 images to maximum effect and the voluminous special effects sequences look terrific throughout the film. The Dolby Digital surround is also extremely active. Included within the DVD is a complete chapter index, noting what specifically has been added to what scene.

This one's got "low-budget" written over it all the way! While the original novel written under Stephen King's pseudenom, Richard Bach, was quite scary, this one is plain dull!  The story of an overweight lawyer cursed after running over a gypsy and getting away with it, has no sense of structure.  Writer/director Tom Holland has done fine work before, but here seems to want his story to unfold with Sydney Lumet-like pacing!  This isn't to knock Lumet. Lumet's pacing is intentional to showcase his actor's talents.  There are no Oscar Contender performances here.  While Joe Mantegna has never failed to be engaging, even a decent performance is out of place with this caliber of  film.  In fact the only suspenseful thing about the film is why Mantegna chose to do it. This answer is never satisfactorilly explained in the audio commentary he assists with.  The picture has been improved upon with sharper fleshtones and a more polished look than its laserdisc predecessor, while its original 1.85:1 framing remains intact. However, even a full-frame version couldn't have hurt the film, since it's got a t.v. show look to it.  Unfortunately, the film's original picture quality is still less than perfect.  The Dolby Digital soundtrack offers some entertaining effects, although it's frequently passive.