Daniel Bernhardt is totally wasted in this lame attempt to duplicate the success of the HIGHLANDER series. It has the feel of a made-for-TV pilot and with some of the loopholes in the script it may be better to be viewed as such. It even tends to draw on some elements from JCVD's LIONHEART. Bernhardt obviously has true ability, but he is better suited for other films like BLOODSPORT 2 & 3 and TRUE VENGEANCE
10 Reviews
Shot on a low budget in Canada, it works about as well as you might expect.
tarbosh2200020 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The battle for Alexander the Great's sword is on...again! That's right, as if Gladiator Cop: The Swordsman II (1995) wasn't enough for you, never mind The Swordsman (1995), here we get the third and final (?) installment of the supremely silly series. As you'll no doubt remember, in Gladiator Cop: The Swordsman II, James Hong as Parmenion and Lorenzo Lamas as Andrew Garrett were reincarnated figures who had recollections of their past from hundreds of years ago as they tried to get the sword. Meanwhile there were Punchfighting matches in parking lots.
This time around, in G2, James Hong as Parmenion and Daniel Bernhardt as a man named Steven Conlin are reincarnated figures who have recollections of their past from hundreds of years ago as they try to get the sword. Meanwhile there are Punchfighting matches in warehouses. This may seem a little familiar. You'd think after three movies, coherence would somehow emerge. It doesn't, but James Hong has a variety of stylish hats. Will the MORTAL CONQUEST finally reach its end?
Writer/director Nick Rotundo seemingly has a burning desire. A desire to tell the tale - repeatedly over the course of years - of the sword of Alexander the Great, Parmenion, and someone trying to get the sword. Rotundo's quest is almost as long and labyrinthine as the saga of the sword itself.
Just why he thinks this story is so interesting, and why he's willing to more or less make three movies about it, at the cost of whether any of them make sense or not, has yet to be explained. But he sure has a lot of what you might call 'stick-to-itiveness'. Even the name "G2" seems to indicate that this is the true sequel to Gladiator Cop. Maybe he doesn't like Gladiator Cop: The Swordsman II, which is a shame, because that was the moment when nonsensicality became real entertainment.
Starting with a John-Woo-on-a-budget intro, we then soon realize we're in Adrian Paul-era Highlander territory. Like all good stories about reincarnation, there are repeated Punchfighting matches. Just what meatheads pounding on each other has to do with Alexander the Great only our most venerated historians can tell us. Some of the guys seem like they would be at home as contestants on The Running Man, including one who has some sort of breastplate that shoots fire out of the sides. Jesse Ventura should have been involved.
Rather than explain any of the above with dialogue, the men in the movie make a panoply of silly sounds. These sounds include, but are not limited to, yelling, screaming, shouting, grunting, yelping, hollering, bawling, howling, yowling, screeching, and ululating. Someone in a warehouse hits a gong, and off they go. Do not make a drinking game out of any time someone says, and I quote, "BwwoaaoooaaaahhhhhhAAAAAA!!!!!
Some of Parmenion's goons have a pretty novel method of deflecting bullets. Actress Meeka Schiro was in the Zagarino outing The Protector (1998) the previous year. Other real people from the cast include men with the names John Bonk and Chris Chinchilla. It's not that bad. It's just disjointed and jumbled, in classic Rotundo style.
G2 (AKA Mortal Conquest) won't make much sense to anyone, regardless of whether they've seen the other "G" movies or not. As a cross between Highlander, The Running Man, Excalibur, and a Shirley MacLaine autobiography shot on a low budget in Canada, it works about as well as you might expect.
This time around, in G2, James Hong as Parmenion and Daniel Bernhardt as a man named Steven Conlin are reincarnated figures who have recollections of their past from hundreds of years ago as they try to get the sword. Meanwhile there are Punchfighting matches in warehouses. This may seem a little familiar. You'd think after three movies, coherence would somehow emerge. It doesn't, but James Hong has a variety of stylish hats. Will the MORTAL CONQUEST finally reach its end?
Writer/director Nick Rotundo seemingly has a burning desire. A desire to tell the tale - repeatedly over the course of years - of the sword of Alexander the Great, Parmenion, and someone trying to get the sword. Rotundo's quest is almost as long and labyrinthine as the saga of the sword itself.
Just why he thinks this story is so interesting, and why he's willing to more or less make three movies about it, at the cost of whether any of them make sense or not, has yet to be explained. But he sure has a lot of what you might call 'stick-to-itiveness'. Even the name "G2" seems to indicate that this is the true sequel to Gladiator Cop. Maybe he doesn't like Gladiator Cop: The Swordsman II, which is a shame, because that was the moment when nonsensicality became real entertainment.
Starting with a John-Woo-on-a-budget intro, we then soon realize we're in Adrian Paul-era Highlander territory. Like all good stories about reincarnation, there are repeated Punchfighting matches. Just what meatheads pounding on each other has to do with Alexander the Great only our most venerated historians can tell us. Some of the guys seem like they would be at home as contestants on The Running Man, including one who has some sort of breastplate that shoots fire out of the sides. Jesse Ventura should have been involved.
Rather than explain any of the above with dialogue, the men in the movie make a panoply of silly sounds. These sounds include, but are not limited to, yelling, screaming, shouting, grunting, yelping, hollering, bawling, howling, yowling, screeching, and ululating. Someone in a warehouse hits a gong, and off they go. Do not make a drinking game out of any time someone says, and I quote, "BwwoaaoooaaaahhhhhhAAAAAA!!!!!
Some of Parmenion's goons have a pretty novel method of deflecting bullets. Actress Meeka Schiro was in the Zagarino outing The Protector (1998) the previous year. Other real people from the cast include men with the names John Bonk and Chris Chinchilla. It's not that bad. It's just disjointed and jumbled, in classic Rotundo style.
G2 (AKA Mortal Conquest) won't make much sense to anyone, regardless of whether they've seen the other "G" movies or not. As a cross between Highlander, The Running Man, Excalibur, and a Shirley MacLaine autobiography shot on a low budget in Canada, it works about as well as you might expect.
COMBINE HIGHLANDER & MARTIAL ARTS AND YOU GET.....
audie-630 July 1999
G2 has a pretty good idea (albeit though original one) with Daniel Bernhardt as a Macedonian warrior who is reincarnated 200 years later to do battle with a sinister Mongolian clan led by James Hong. The action sequences are fair at best and I found myself trying to decide if this movie was a "self-contained' film or the pilot for a possible series. Overall, it wasn't really that bad and who knows now that HIGHLANDER is off the air here......
This movie is Blow'd Up
space_hog16 May 2000
Why? Why did they think this movie would be cool? I don't think that anyone who has seen this movie could seriously enjoy it. The reasons for not liking this movie are infinite but I will focus on 3 that really blew me away.
1. Nothing and I mean NOTHING in this movie is given even a poor explanation. From start to finish, it is assumed that you know what is going on without the slightest indication as to why.
2. This movie has no action. I found this movie listed as an action movie and for some reason. But take it from me the action is minimal and the little action that does surface is very poor.
3. The title to this movie is "G2". If anyone can tell me why "G2" has anything to do with this movie in any way I'd love to hear it.
The fact is that this movie is a real hard one to finish and I recommend never starting in the first place.
1. Nothing and I mean NOTHING in this movie is given even a poor explanation. From start to finish, it is assumed that you know what is going on without the slightest indication as to why.
2. This movie has no action. I found this movie listed as an action movie and for some reason. But take it from me the action is minimal and the little action that does surface is very poor.
3. The title to this movie is "G2". If anyone can tell me why "G2" has anything to do with this movie in any way I'd love to hear it.
The fact is that this movie is a real hard one to finish and I recommend never starting in the first place.
watch cartoons, there is way more action
visinescul1 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
One of the worst movies I've ever seen. No idea what to write about it to fill in the (minimum) required ten lines... Don't ever watch it, don't try to understand it - there is no plot, no action, so sense... Compared to this, B movies deserve an award.
Yes, there is a remote idea from Excalibur and some poor, unfortunate resemblance to Highlander, but... they should better use those ideas in an episode of South park or Family Guy, I bet we can have a lot of fun. Somehow I got hooked, I had to see it 'till the end... Bad, bad mistake, it was a waste of time and it ruined my evening. Next time I want to kill my time, I'll switch to Cartoon Network.
Again - don't bother watching, there is no movie.
Yes, there is a remote idea from Excalibur and some poor, unfortunate resemblance to Highlander, but... they should better use those ideas in an episode of South park or Family Guy, I bet we can have a lot of fun. Somehow I got hooked, I had to see it 'till the end... Bad, bad mistake, it was a waste of time and it ruined my evening. Next time I want to kill my time, I'll switch to Cartoon Network.
Again - don't bother watching, there is no movie.
STAY AWAY AS FAR AS YOU CAN
leafsrule91122 April 2000
This has to be one of the worst movies of all time. It is a mix between a Jean-Claude Van-Damme movie, Mortal Combat, and the Highlander. In the background you can hear music playing and it dosn't stop once during the whole movie. It seemed to get louder and louder and it just won't go away. This movie is almost as bad as Puma Man. At least Puma Man was fun to watch. This movie was like having your fingers broken one at a time.
Another Highlander
Ant-1910 November 1998
During the opening credits, I almost walked out. An "Arthurian" sword against a backdrop of stars...oh, dear. Thankfully it then started to improve somewhat, although there were several points at which the audience's credibility was stretched too far: a dead body struck by a mysterious electrical force and vanishing in front of the police - and no one made a comment! Well I guess that's normal in Chicago.
Overall, this film reminded me so much of Highlander, that I think it has been misnamed. Highlander 5.
Overall, this film reminded me so much of Highlander, that I think it has been misnamed. Highlander 5.
G6 Mortal Error
saint_brett6 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
After watching Van Damme in "Future War" the other night, I've been inspired to rush online today to search for more of his work, and I've come across this doozy: "Mortal Conquest" AKA "G2."
It starts out in the tradition of Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast with a colonial judge mumbling nonsensical gibberish that a modern-day audience won't be able to translate.
Strap yourselves in, because the do-do is about to be thrown in every direction. I can just feel it now. It'll be like Kristen Stewart dodging dog turds in that "Runaways" movie.
Genghis Khan appears out of the field of dreams and speaks like the Chinese waiter from that episode of "Seinfeld." A glimpse of Kate Bush from Babooshka yahoos her approval.
Somebody's pulse is taken in a hospital.
It's what's-her-name from "Mortal Kombat?" This crap is following the same format as that Canadian movie "Crying Freeman." Gee, Van Damme's young in this. It must have been one of his earlier films.
Apparently the movie is about some silly lost sword that once belonged to He-Man and it winds its way to the future.
How? It's not explained.
The restaurant waiter from "Seinfeld" (Bruce?) is after the sacred sword as well, even though he brings it with him into the future.
Do I have that right?
Why is Asian culture always based around martial arts?
The Babooshka character, Mileena, is a shape shifter and presents herself as a NY police officer who, no doubt, is the love interest for what's-his-name?
You know, after watching "Future War" the other night, it's kind of reinvigorated my love of mid-90s action movies.
Hmm, not making much sense. Van Damme keeps having visions of being stabbed in the belly while dressed in cosplay on the set of "Highlander." Tons of sword action and lots of violence. There's a similar storyline to "Lion Heart," with a score on a magnitude of Cleopatra proportions.
This'll be good - Van Damme has to fight the fifth band member of Kiss. It doesn't go as expected as the Kiss member swallows accelerant and is then shot by Chun-Li and he puts on a sideways fire display.
This is all over a silly collector's sword, you know?
"I can't take the pain," exclaims Van Damme in the cringiest display of embarrassment.
Actor, can you hear yourself?
Did you honestly hear how you delivered that line just then? And you didn't ask for a reshoot or a third take?
Talk about amateur acting.
It's Tommy Wiseau stuff. Some of Bruce's acting leaves a lot to be desired as well.
Van Damme hooks up with the love interest, surprise, surprise, and there's a Wonder boy score, that's overly loud, to accompany his reminiscing of his love affair with the Home Shopping Network purchased sword.
This famous sword is the same one you see on late-night TV that can cut through steel-tipped boots. Or, is that an 80s thing?
They also sell ShamWows.
Meh, I had more fun with "Future War" the other night.
This one is trying to take itself seriously.
Make no mistake, though - it's weak as water and too repetitive.
It's not enough that he was Van Damme in the other night's movie; now he's Christopher Lambert in this nonsense.
Who's he going to be in the next movie, Seagal?
54 minutes in, and I've had my fill.
There's no need for this to last 90 minutes.
I don't even care what happens from here on in, as I know he'll bed the girl, retain the late-night TV home shopping sword, and win overall in the end.
I think I've said this before, but the me in year 10 would have swallowed this up and asked for seconds, but the me in 2023 is sitting here asking if anyone's impressed by this one-on-one cockfighting anymore.
Doesn't do anything for me.
Van Damme does everything I just said by the movie's end and holds the late-night TV home shopping sword above his head and says, "By the power of Grayskull."
Whoopdedoo.
Strap yourselves in, because the do-do is about to be thrown in every direction. I can just feel it now. It'll be like Kristen Stewart dodging dog turds in that "Runaways" movie.
Genghis Khan appears out of the field of dreams and speaks like the Chinese waiter from that episode of "Seinfeld." A glimpse of Kate Bush from Babooshka yahoos her approval.
Somebody's pulse is taken in a hospital.
It's what's-her-name from "Mortal Kombat?" This crap is following the same format as that Canadian movie "Crying Freeman." Gee, Van Damme's young in this. It must have been one of his earlier films.
Apparently the movie is about some silly lost sword that once belonged to He-Man and it winds its way to the future.
How? It's not explained.
The restaurant waiter from "Seinfeld" (Bruce?) is after the sacred sword as well, even though he brings it with him into the future.
Do I have that right?
Why is Asian culture always based around martial arts?
The Babooshka character, Mileena, is a shape shifter and presents herself as a NY police officer who, no doubt, is the love interest for what's-his-name?
You know, after watching "Future War" the other night, it's kind of reinvigorated my love of mid-90s action movies.
Hmm, not making much sense. Van Damme keeps having visions of being stabbed in the belly while dressed in cosplay on the set of "Highlander." Tons of sword action and lots of violence. There's a similar storyline to "Lion Heart," with a score on a magnitude of Cleopatra proportions.
This'll be good - Van Damme has to fight the fifth band member of Kiss. It doesn't go as expected as the Kiss member swallows accelerant and is then shot by Chun-Li and he puts on a sideways fire display.
This is all over a silly collector's sword, you know?
"I can't take the pain," exclaims Van Damme in the cringiest display of embarrassment.
Actor, can you hear yourself?
Did you honestly hear how you delivered that line just then? And you didn't ask for a reshoot or a third take?
Talk about amateur acting.
It's Tommy Wiseau stuff. Some of Bruce's acting leaves a lot to be desired as well.
Van Damme hooks up with the love interest, surprise, surprise, and there's a Wonder boy score, that's overly loud, to accompany his reminiscing of his love affair with the Home Shopping Network purchased sword.
This famous sword is the same one you see on late-night TV that can cut through steel-tipped boots. Or, is that an 80s thing?
They also sell ShamWows.
Meh, I had more fun with "Future War" the other night.
This one is trying to take itself seriously.
Make no mistake, though - it's weak as water and too repetitive.
It's not enough that he was Van Damme in the other night's movie; now he's Christopher Lambert in this nonsense.
Who's he going to be in the next movie, Seagal?
54 minutes in, and I've had my fill.
There's no need for this to last 90 minutes.
I don't even care what happens from here on in, as I know he'll bed the girl, retain the late-night TV home shopping sword, and win overall in the end.
I think I've said this before, but the me in year 10 would have swallowed this up and asked for seconds, but the me in 2023 is sitting here asking if anyone's impressed by this one-on-one cockfighting anymore.
Doesn't do anything for me.
Van Damme does everything I just said by the movie's end and holds the late-night TV home shopping sword above his head and says, "By the power of Grayskull."
Whoopdedoo.
Lots of action. Lots of thrills. Loads of excitement.
Movie-ManDan11 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Bernhardt play a former cop, Steven Colin, who begins having nightmares about fighting a group of evil Asians and constantly getting stabbed by them and not dying. The dreams are so real to him. Turns out that he was actually a soldier in another life who was sent to retrieve the sword of Alexander the Great and give it to him, but a group of Asians tried to kill him for it, but the sword allowed him to destroy them. So the dreams that Colin has been having his from his former life and the enemies come back 2000 years to the day to settle the score and destroy him once and for all. I don't know why people say there's no action in this. The first 10 minutes are full of fights and gunplay with various different violence plagued throughout the film. Those people must not have been watching G2 (probably P2). The acting sucks, but who cares. The plot is awesome and its very enjoyable.
It's no classic, but it's still worth watching
WG-415 July 2000
This movie seems to make people think of Highlander. I disagree. It's as much Highlander as it is Excalibur. The plot is nothing spectacular or original, and does remotely resemble Highlander, but it certainly ain't no Highlander. Heck, even Star Wars looks remotely like Highlander. It's all a case of level of abstraction from the story. But enough about that. It was sorta disappointing that people thought it normal when the "immortal" (actually reincarnations) died with a lot of lightning.
So: it ain't no classic, but it certainly is worth watching.
So: it ain't no classic, but it certainly is worth watching.
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