And is that really very surprising? This is packaged as a "Super Hero" film. Our super hero is a man who, more often than not, is hidden -Strike ONE!. He cavorts, waltzes, glides his way through what may be the 1920's or 1930's or even 40's - Strike TWO! That means we get old cars, old costumes, old CGI sets - older actors in most of the supporting roles. The script is intelligent, somewhat witty, somewhat campy - in other words you must be able to read and comprehend what you read to possibly have any appreciation for the film - Strike Three! The film is set in a Noir style - lots of suggestive action, use of lighting, shading, and other cinema techniques designed to heighten the atmosphere of the film and push the action through that atmosphere - Strike 4! I could go on, and before you think I think this is a great film, let me say it is a highly entertaining film, a film that is grossly under-appreciated more for the aforementioned things rather than its content. Director Russell Mulcahy and screenwriter Walter Gibson do it their way for the most part. Hence the lukewarm, poor reception. Their vision is a highly stylized retelling of the story of Lamont Cranston who is "the Shadow." They provide some breathtaking visual artistry as well as a fairly faithful adaptation to the Shadow series without selling out by pandering to those less-inclined to appreciate the film for what it is. Again, that is why it was not successful at the box office. There is no Shadow II. Shadow III. The Shadow Vs. Whomever. The acting is very solid. Alec Baldwin is really rather good in his role. Attention to detail in both his performance, make up, props, settings, and all aesthetic things are very high. He has a good voice for the role. True, Penelope Ann Miller is somewhat weak - but charming. Peter Boyle does a nice job with his small role. So does Tim Curry. John Lone over-does it as the villain of the piece. But the award for most wasted talent has to go to Ian McKellen who does virtually nothing except look befuddled. That is about all he does and gives a very strained performance doing virtually nothing. Nice to see Jonathan Winters in a film. He should have been in so many more - what a talent. But the star of this film is the film's artistic content - what you see on the screen. All that aforementioned artistry and detail. The special effects are rather good too. I was really impressed with the look of this film and the film in general. You might want to give The Shadow a try. After all - he knows what lurks in the hearts of men. Too bad he didn't take a closer look before they tried to sell this film to the audience of its time.
Review of The Shadow
