Let's be realistic.

An absolute waste of money

Absolutely brilliant

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The Shadow (1994) ** (out of 4)The madman Shiwan Kan (John Lone) is building up an atomic bomb to do some major distruction but he has to deal with The Shadow (Alec Baldwin) who plans on putting a stop to his crooked plans.THE SHADOW was released to some rather mixed reviews and it seems that over the last couple decades it has pretty much been forgotten. The film is based on the comic strip and while there are a lot of good things here, there's no doubt that overall this is a pretty diasppointing film.I think what I enjoyed most about the film is that it really did a great job at making the setting look like the 1930s. The look of the film is quite excellent as the cinematography is top-notch and the costume design is perfect. I thought the film also did a very good job at creating this universe and the film has a very authenic look and feel to it.As far as the cast goes, Baldwin is actually quite good in the lead role and especially during some of the darker moments where Baldwin's personality can come through. I thought Lone was pretty disappointing as the hero. Normally I love Penelope Ann Miller but she wasn't given too much to work with here. It's always fun to see Peter Boyle, Ian McKellen, Tim Curry and Jonathan Winters but none of them are given much to do.As great as everything looks, there's still something missing in the film. I'm not exactly sure what it was but I had a hard time connecting to the characters, the story and I'd argue that the action wasn't all that thrilling.

Then again, I'll admit I don't care much for Batman at all. It's too bad The Shadow has basically been forgotten in modern times since I thought it was pretty fun. It had its problems, definitely. Many of the characters weren't developed enough, especially Shiwan Khan and Tim Curry's character. Also, as someone who has had no previous encounter with the franchise, I honestly was a bit confused about the powers of The Shadow. Some of the effects look pretty dated. The climax was a bit disappointing, since Shiwan Khan doesn't really fight back against The Shadow. Still, the movie had charm. Alec Baldwin is pretty good as the titular character. The other actors do well with what they're given, with the exception of Penelope Ann Miller. I'll admit I didn't really like Penelope Ann Miller as Margo Lane. I can't really explain it but I just thought she delivered her lines in an uncanny way, like she was really close to delivering them right but didn't quite do it right. Anyway, the climax was flawed but it was still suspenseful. Oh, and I really liked the song performed by Taylor Dayne that plays during the end credits.

Directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander) and written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man), The Shadow is excellent, and one of the best superhero films.In post-WWI Asia, an American man named Lamont Cranston has become corrupt, now a ruthless and bloodthirsty warlord. Lamont is kidnapped, and is brought to a holy man who teaches him to use the darkness in himself to combat evil, redeeming Lamont. He gains hypnotic powers that allow him to alter what others perceive. When he returns to 1930's New York City, Lamont becomes the Shadow, and fights crime. Those who the Shadow saves become his agents, helping him as informants. Lamont meets Margo Lane, a woman able to read minds. Despite a mutual attraction, Lamont avoids seeing her so she won't discover his secret. The evil Shiwan Khan, Genghis Khan's last descendant arises, and the Shadow must stop him from building an atomic bomb that will destroy the city.Alec Baldwin's performance as the Shadow is spectacular, he nails the character's voice during his intimidation tactics, he's consistently great throughout the film. John Lone as Shiwan Khan is a good villain, he's at his best during his introduction. Penelope Ann Miller, Ian McKellan, and Peter Boyle all do well in their supporting roles, remaining likable and entertaining characters throughout, and Tim Curry is particularly great as the secondary antagonist. The production design is one of the film's greatest strengths, perfectly capturing a 30's noir look. The cinematography is also great, and enhances the production design. It's very easy to immerse yourself into the world this movie creates. Jerry Goldsmith's score is incredible, as far as superhero film scores go I'd rank it among Danny Elfman's Batman and John Williams' Superman. Sinoa also performs a great song, "Some Kind of Mystery".Wildly underrated and entertaining, I highly recommend The Shadow.

Exciting version of the popular comic books and broadcasting tale about the immortal crusader called ¨The Shadow¨ with very watchable FX and lots of fun . Several visual designs provide the highlights for those in the mood for a journey back to the radio past or a quick superhero adventure . As our stalwart hero , a billionaire playboy named Lamont Cranston (Alec Baldwin) is a master of illusion and defender of justice thanks to his alter ego . Aided by companion Margo Lane (Penelope Anne Miller) and a Cabman (Peter Boyle) he battles super-criminal named Shiwan Khan (John Lone) . He discovers his destiny and a old legacy as a superhero called The Shadow , the invisible man who walks , a seemingly relentless crime fighter . A mask and raincoat he finds himself battling his nemesis , the deadliest descendant of Ghengis Khan . He's helped by an attractive woman and both of whom travel to dangerous streets N.Y. to thwart a nasty criminal . Khan is a cold and megalomaniac killer who murders cruelty his victims, he wants to take a power to dominate the world , he is supported by a particular ally , a smarmy villain (Tim Curry) and his hoodlums . The hero and villain have equal powers , yet the heroine can be hypnotised by one and no other . The picture charges into a tale of a hero who turned from evil in Tibet and reemerged in New York City as a superhero holding extraordinary power to fight in that most wretched lair if iniquity . As in 30's New York City, the Shadow battles his enemy who is building an atomic bomb. But the caped crusader is trapped inside a locked chamber being helped by his girlfriend . The Shadow is shown in this highly stylized big screen adaptation of the 30's radio show , the once starred by Orson Welles . Film gets exotic locations , derring-do adventures ,rip roaring , action-packed , tongue in check , it's a cinematic roller coaster pretty entertaining and with well made set pieces action , including numerous and elaborate FX . This exciting picture provides splendid production design by Joseph Nemec , while done more dynamically elsewhere , are fun and outstanding . This is an ambitious fantasy adventure with breathtaking special effects ; it has some well-staged scenes whose effectiveness owes much to Russell Mulcahy's strong pictorial sense . Older kids , teenagers may find the proceedings a bit hokey and paying little attention to logic , but everyone seems to be having a good time . The picture is a crossover among comic-strip hero , superhero feats , Saturday matinée serials and old-fashioned thirties movies . As this runs like an old Republic serial of the thirties or Forties on a multi-million dollar budget . Its arresting visuals , lavish realization and crude energy put filmmaker Russell Mulcahy on the map . Much of the dialogue springs as if balloons from the printed page and the interpretation is appropriately rudimentary . The picture has great loads of action , special effects abundant , glamorous cinematography by Stephen Burum and spectacular Jerry Goldsmith's musical score , including an enjoyable leitmotif . The motion picture includes an interesting script by prestigious David Koepp and was rightly directed by Russell Mulcahy . Russell for some time worked in Britain as a filmmaker of video clips , but returned to his native country , Australia , to make his first fictional movie , ¨Razorback¨ . He was able to get the backing for what proved to be his greatest success ¨Highlander¨ . It led to two sequels , the first of which was realized by himself titled ¨Quickening¨ . He subsequently directed ¨Resurrection¨with Charlie Sheen and ¨Talos the mummy¨ , among others . Despite major stars and big budgets with which to work have not fulfilled their potential and he seemed less commanding with players than with action . The flick will appeal to adventure fans and comic-books enthusiastic . Rating : Good and amusing. Well worth seeing.