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.

I'm very surprised that this movie didn't get very popular. There are many reasons why this movie is so wonderful. I've always loved good-looking Alec Baldwin, especially in his role as Jack Ryan in "The Hunt for Red October". In this movie his acting and expressions are very good along with the acting done by beautiful Penelope Ann Miller, great John Lone, funny Jonathon Winters as Lamont's uncle, and everyone else. Except for maybe Tim Curry, I've never really liked him. Though some people may not like it for it being pretty corny, I thought that's what it made it so fun to watch! The action is cool, especially the end where Alec Baldwin hunts down John Lone with all the mirrors and glass in the room. The witty humor in it gave this movie also a right touch. I love the part where Margo Lane keeps interrupting Lamont Cranston because she can read his mind and knows what he's going to say. The music is just fantastic, giving the movie a creepy feeling to it. The cinematography and the Gothic scenes also help.A film of this type is only as good as its villain, and thanks must be given to John Lone for turning in a journeyman job as Shiwan Khan. American audiences have seldom had a chance to see him in this sort of role, and he carries it off well, delivering the sort of lines one would expect of an evildoer stepping from the pages of a 1930's era pulp magazine. At times vicious, at other times charming and urbane, Lone meets the Shadow as an equal in ability and is fun to watch. If there is a problem with the film it's that there's perhaps too much of Lamont Cranstron and not enough of "The Shadow". Several elements from Walter Gibson's original "Shadow" stories are employed, and the moments when Baldwin appears as The Shadow are suitably exciting, but they are few and far between. Even at the climactic battle most of Baldwin's trademark Shadow accouterments are eliminated, and we're faced with Lamont Cranston trying to hold onto the situation. David Koepp, who has written enough excellent adventure-oriented screenplays, should've known better. The screenplay which David Goyer and Christopher Nolan turned in for 2005's "Batman Begins" is a much better example of how "The Shadow" should've been handled.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

May contain spoilers.This movie is simply the best.And here's why?It has great casting like Alec Baldwin,Penelope Ann Miller,John Lone,Peter Boyle,Ian ...The photography,set decoration,great music by Jerry Goldsmith,brilliant director Russell M(Highlander 1,2),scenario by David (Mission:Impossible,Secret Window),etc etc.This is my favorite movie and i must have watched it million times.Opened in cinemas 1994 with classical effects some of them from company fantasy 2(Terminator,Nemesis),this movie follows a man who gets the superhero sets of skills like clouding the men's minds leaving visible only one thing that he can't hide-his shadow.It's the best action adventure since Indiana Jones and it has it all:action,adventure,romance,comedy(especially from Peter Boyle character Mo).This movie is a pure gem.One of those movies you don't wanna miss.-Who Knows What Hides in the Hearts of Men- 10/10

In my honest opinion, you will never be able to find another exciting movie like this one. One of the things that made this movie so amazing was the excellent cast, a storyline that was very well written, an excellent plot, intense action sequences and mind-blowing special effects. When you have the ability to cloud peoples minds and make yourself invisible to them, you don't need a batarang or any other high tech gadget like Batman to put fear into the hearts of criminals. I truly believe that movies like this should always have sequels and hope Hollywood makes one. Taken from 1930's pulp media and then transferred to radio and movies this is definitely one of the greatest superheroes that was ever offered to a wide range of people through the years and I hope it continues.