The Shadow was definitely made in the shadow of Batman '89 - the look, the opening titles, Jerry Goldsmith doing an Elfman pastiche - though it's Batman with a lot of more mysticism, which is what gives it its own flavor. Now that the mainstream knows more superheroes, it becomes an interesting "archaeological" film. The Shadow is 90 years old this month - the pulp character, that is - and the movie is a good demonstration of how many superheroes' DNA the Shadow is a part of (sure, Batman, but Dr. Strange, the Punisher, Superman - via Margo/Lois Lane, and for comics fans, the Creeper, come readily to mind). Great cast of supporting players, including Ian McKellan, Tim Curry and Peter Boyle, though Alex Baldwin is sometimes so arch that I felt like this could be what Jack Donaghy was doing in his youth. He's good as the Shadow though (he has the laugh down), and when Lamont Cranston goes all spooky-eyed. The Shadow is more ruthless than Batman '89, so the violence is a slight notch above without being egregious. In terms of film, it does feel derivative in spots, but it has its own story to tell I think it stands on its own. Better than you remember or imagine!
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Siskoid
The Shadow was definitely made in the shadow of Batman '89 - the look, the opening titles, Jerry Goldsmith doing an Elfman pastiche - though it's Batman with a lot of more mysticism, which is what gives it its own flavor. Now that the mainstream knows more superheroes, it becomes an interesting "archaeological" film. The Shadow is 90 years old this month - the pulp character, that is - and the movie is a good demonstration of how many superheroes' DNA the Shadow is a part of (sure, Batman, but Dr. Strange, the Punisher, Superman - via Margo/Lois Lane, and for comics fans, the Creeper, come readily to mind). Great cast of supporting players, including Ian McKellan, Tim Curry and Peter Boyle, though Alex Baldwin is sometimes so arch that I felt like this could be what Jack Donaghy was doing in his youth. He's good as the Shadow though (he has the laugh down), and when Lamont Cranston goes all spooky-eyed. The Shadow is more ruthless than Batman '89, so the violence is a slight notch above without being egregious. In terms of film, it does feel derivative in spots, but it has its own story to tell I think it stands on its own. Better than you remember or imagine!jlfitz
Much better than expected.dpanter
Drive! To the sanky!