The Shadow
1994 Directed by Russell Mulcahy
Synopsis
Based on the 1930's comic strip, puts the hero up against his arch enemy, Shiwan Khan, who plans to take over the world by holding a city to ransom using an atom bomb. Using his powers of invisibility and "The power to cloud men's minds", the Shadow comes blazing to the city's rescue with explosive results.
Popular reviews
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51/100
Bizarre tonal mishmash gets encapsulated in a single insane shot, which was cavalier then and would be wildly offensive today: Bad guy hypnotizes an innocent sailor (played by the creepy dude who recounts his dream near the beginning of Mulholland Dr.) into jumping off the Empire State Building's observation deck, and as he plummets to his death, his body bouncing off lower sections, the camera pans down to pick up heroes Alec Baldwin and Penelope Ann Miller walking on the street below, having an animated conversation about something else entirely. In general, the film works much better as a knowing comedy than as a straightforward, slightly old-fashioned action flick, which makes its constant switch-hitting between the two modes frustrating.…
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One of several nearly forgotten superhero movies that were lost in the wake of (and surely inspired by) the success of Burton's BATMAN. Could easily be part of a triple bill with THE ROCKETEER and DICK TRACY(this film is an interesting second-fiddle to those two). Ripe for rediscovery especially now. Very interesting to see the Alec Baldwin of 20 years ago through the lens of Jack Donaghy. The film's release on Blu-ray in June is quite welcome. Extra points from me for 90s nostalgia(even though I missed seeing the film until now).
It's also a nice way to celebrate Jonathan Winters(and that small window in the 90s when Penelope Ann Miller was the hot, sexy leading lady). Further, it's neat to see Peter Boyle as a taxi driver again. -
Where has this film been all my life? It takes so many things I love and cram it into one of the coolest, awesomely badass films I've ever seen!
Alec Baldwin proves why he is such an awesome actor. Not only does he give an excellent performance, but he provides so much depth and even fear for his character. He's got the maniacal laugh down perfectly. John Lone makes a really good villain. Unlike most villains in superhero movies, this one actually feels like a true threat to the hero. You also get terrific performances from an impressively stellar cast that includes Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Ian McKellan, and Tim Curry. The visual effects look amazing. The story is…
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Alec Baldwin at his handsome best stars in a beautifully set film that plays a little flat.
The film certainly has a pulp feel with its love of mysticism. Baldwin seems to lack a little personality in the role and his backstory never seems to resonate. It also seems to struggle with its tone as the humour is underplayed.
The Reverence: Unexpectedly seeing James Hong in the opening scene beats out Lones love of bourbon and ties, bullets that collide in midair, and a chase for a bomb down the hallway.
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Don't know anything about the source material but I did watch this as a kid and even had some Shadow-themed toys too.
The absurdity of this starts off right away...flying daggers, temples that appear out of thin air (literally), and teleportation..of sorts. And it continues fast and heavy when The Shadow is introduced. But, hey, absurdity is what we expect in superhero/vigilante stories.
Alec Baldwin looks unbelievably young, and I'm sure he was in '94. His appearance as his masked alter-ego is freakishly bird-like.
Oh my god Ian McKellan with no white hair....WHAT?! And the ever-creepy Tim Curry. Plus, Frank from "Everybody Loves Raymond"..hahhaha. Interesting supporting cast.
The plot is glaringly repetitive. Vigilante that tries to help but is only…
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There are a few things to enjoy in this picture, particularly Jerry Goldsmith's score is fantastic, but otherwise it started on the wrong note and never really managed to get my full attention. Two pulpy movies from that time, Rocketeer and Darkman, are way more fun than The Shadow.
Recent reviews
More-
51/100
Bizarre tonal mishmash gets encapsulated in a single insane shot, which was cavalier then and would be wildly offensive today: Bad guy hypnotizes an innocent sailor (played by the creepy dude who recounts his dream near the beginning of Mulholland Dr.) into jumping off the Empire State Building's observation deck, and as he plummets to his death, his body bouncing off lower sections, the camera pans down to pick up heroes Alec Baldwin and Penelope Ann Miller walking on the street below, having an animated conversation about something else entirely. In general, the film works much better as a knowing comedy than as a straightforward, slightly old-fashioned action flick, which makes its constant switch-hitting between the two modes frustrating.…
-
One of several nearly forgotten superhero movies that were lost in the wake of (and surely inspired by) the success of Burton's BATMAN. Could easily be part of a triple bill with THE ROCKETEER and DICK TRACY(this film is an interesting second-fiddle to those two). Ripe for rediscovery especially now. Very interesting to see the Alec Baldwin of 20 years ago through the lens of Jack Donaghy. The film's release on Blu-ray in June is quite welcome. Extra points from me for 90s nostalgia(even though I missed seeing the film until now).
It's also a nice way to celebrate Jonathan Winters(and that small window in the 90s when Penelope Ann Miller was the hot, sexy leading lady). Further, it's neat to see Peter Boyle as a taxi driver again. -
Ambitious comic book adaptation that is campy fun but restricted by the time in which it was made.
Alec Baldwin is a Playboy by day, crime fighting super hero by night former Asian crime lord. Honestly.
I know it sounds a little silly but not as bad as some other movies ive seen and comics ive read for that matter.
And when I say this was ambitious I mean that the restraints that were on it for the time it was made must have held them back from making the movie i presume they imagined in pre production.The Shadow is a super hero who can cloud men's minds and make them see or not see whatever he wants, and…
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This is really dumb. I was surprised at the visuals though. They are much better than what I thought this movie deserves.
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So when you see a film that you're convinced was good and no one agrees, are you the moron? Not always. This is one of the better of the 2nd series of comic book films, In the same period as the Burton Batman series. Surprisingly faithful to the strips, radio and even the 80's comics, It's no wonder this made no cash. The script by David Koepp is so smart and funny, it's a wonder this was greenlit. Producers Marty Bregmann and Willi Baer are the culprits and they smartly got DePalma shooter Steve Burum and Joe Nemec to do the '30s New York PD on the Universal backlot. It sure looks great, but the paintings that were great in the theatre look fakey in HD, not unlike some other mattes Ive seen recently on some Blu rays. What the fuck ever happened to Penelope Ann Miller?
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I remember when this movie came out and, to this day, I'm not sure why it was such a flop. Between the set pieces and the action sequences and, really, the pretty solid cast, I'm a real fan of this flick.
Sure, the plot doesn't stand too much poking — it's mostly there to string together some great scenes. Alec Baldwin, when he still had a jaw line, makes a convincing (and convincingly tormented) playboy-turned-Nemesis as Lamont Cranston/the Shadow. Penelope Ann Miller is lightweight fluff as Margo Lane, but John Lone as the Shiwan Khan chews the scenery admirably. Toss in Ian McKellan and Tim Curry, and one of Jerry Goldsmith's best film scores, and it's a great pulp romp.
Unfortunately, this movie, isn't available in Region 1 in widescreen, only in pan-and-scan 1.33:1 versions. Someday, maybe.
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The father of all superheroes must save New York City from a psychic criminal mastermind in this period action film.
It's my opinion that The Shadow is criminally forgotten. It may have just been the time it came out or the period setting. It may have been a little too cheesy for audiences in the early 90s. Whatever the reason, it seems like few people have been exposed to it, which is a shame.
Alec Baldwin does a great job as The Shadow. He fits right into the tone, because they do such a great job of keeping that light pulpy touch to the proceedings. I find the film legitimately thrilling as well as funny. Baldwin is great at delivering…
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So much appealing sylistic visuals, it's a shame the film is a corny, jumbled mess.
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Alec Baldwin at his handsome best stars in a beautifully set film that plays a little flat.
The film certainly has a pulp feel with its love of mysticism. Baldwin seems to lack a little personality in the role and his backstory never seems to resonate. It also seems to struggle with its tone as the humour is underplayed.
The Reverence: Unexpectedly seeing James Hong in the opening scene beats out Lones love of bourbon and ties, bullets that collide in midair, and a chase for a bomb down the hallway.