The Shadow
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.77 You Save: $3.18 (32%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.20 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Shadow
Movie Review: "The Shadow knows..."
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Shadow" is something like Batman, Superman, the Phantom, and other comic superheroes, but on the other hand, it is very unlike them in that... I totally loved it!Alec Baldwin is Lamont Cranston, known as Yiinko in Tibet as a drug lord. He is one of the most evil and barbaric men there, until one day he is brought up to a strange priest named Tulku (Brady Tsurutani). Tulku tells Cranston that he must redeem himself by fighting crime and that he will teach him how to 'cloud men's minds'. Having no choice, Cranston learns from the priest. Seven years later, Cranston returns to New York City (of course it has to be New York City!) and fights crime. He is known to others only as 'the Shadow' because though he has the power of invisibility, there is one thing that he cannot hide and that is his shadow. The Shadow finds out that Shiwan Khan (John Lone), the last descendant of Genghis Khan, comes to New York. Shiwan had also been under the instruction of Tulku, to be redeemed from his evil ways but instead turned on Tulku, killing him, then using his new powers to his own evil purpose. And that is to conquer the world. He at first tries to have Cranston join him but Cranston refuses. Shiwan Khan uses the help of his warriors, a mad scientist Farley Claymore (Tim Curry), and absent-minded Dr. Reinhardt Lane (Ian McKellen) to create a bomb to destroy the city. But Shiwan is not the only one with help. Because with the unexpected help of the daughter of Dr. Lane, Margo Lane (Penelope Ann Miller) with her telepathic powers and Moe Shrevnitz (Peter Boyle), Cranston has a plan to stop Shiwan. But it will be difficult with Cranston's troubled heart and Shiwan's mind powers which may surpass even the power of 'the Shadow'.
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.
And I totally agree with everyone, the F/X were pretty terrific! From the really scary Fulba the knife, the shadows, Baldwin's blue eyes becoming black, the Shadow's invisibility, and the end where all of the mirrors shatter, these F/Xs will dazzle you. There's also the costumes which I was really impressed with with Margo's evening gowns and furs which were stunning and even Lamont's suits, the hat (especially the hat!), and his Shadow outfit. You know, at the end where Baldwin has the hat, the cape, and scarf off, his outfit really looks like Neo's in the movie, "Matrix" (Alec Baldwin looks so cool wearing this outfit with his chrome .45's in his hands!).
Here are a few of my most favorite lines from the movies:
(Lamont is staring at the lovely Margo while not paying attention to his Uncle Wainright) Uncle Wainwright: "Why am I talking to the back of your neck?! Lamont?!"
(Uncle Wain talking about Margo) Uncle Wainright: "What do you see in her?"
Lamont: "Uncle Wainright, are you sure you're not dead?"
(After Margo keeps interrupting Lamont because she knows his thoughts) Lamont: Um, do you mind if I just get one tiny little sentence out here?"
(When Lamont starts to leave Margo) Margo: "Hey, how will you know where I am?"
Lamont (mysteriously smiles): "I'll know."
Put it all together, you have a great movie which is entertaining and so much fun to watch!! A superb movie though very unrecognized, "The Shadow" will be one of my favorite movies to watch for a long, long time!
Movie Review: Best Superhero Film Ever.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an under-rated gem. A lot of critics and audiences thought this film was a ripoff ofTim Burton's 1989 Batman film, but in reality, The Shadow existed long before Batman as a pulp magazine and radio hero in the early 1930's. Visually, the film seems to have been inspired by the excellent Michael Kaluta/DC comics version of The Shadow from the mid 1970's.
IMO, this is a better film than Burton's (or anyone else's) Batman. Here are the things that make it so:
1. A deeper back-story and an even more ambivalent protagonist.
2. Richer characterizations.
3. Better co-stars.
4. A better plot.
5. Better special effects.
6. A more interesting female lead.
7. A cool 1930's setting and better visuals.
Alec Baldwin was surprisingly perfect for the role (he was still young and slim). Baldwin plays a guy who is driven and certainly a little twisted, but still holds onto enough basic humanity so that you can root for him. Jonathan Winters has a rare `straight' role as Lamont Cranston's uncle the police commissioner, and his performance is surprisingly effective. This film achieves a mood that is dark, occult, fantastic, but it doesn't suffocate you trying to bring home the point.
This film is remarkably faithful to both the radio and magazine versions of the Shadow, and provides an excellent dramatization of the best elements of this hero. One of the great achievements of this production is that somehow the director avoided the temptation to overlay a modern sensibility onto 1930's characters. Many recent superhero films have imposed a `Beverly Hills 90120' or `Melrose Place' approach to characterization the characterization of our heroes, which is a truly loathsome idea. More loathsome still is the Frank Miller (`Sin City') approach to character, which can best be described as Mickey Spillane on meth.
Besides predating Batman, the Shadow was in many ways a more interesting character. The Shadow had a couple 45 caliber pistols and used powers of mesmerism to `cloud mens' minds.' Also, the Shadow wore regular clothes, but disguised himself with an overcoat, a slouch hat, and a scarf, which is more stylish and less sissy than a set of leotards. It's universally accepted that the Shadow was one of the inspirations for Batman, and it's pretty well demonstrated that the very 1st Batman story (1939) was a direct steal from a Shadow story.
I think this movie did not do well upon initial release due to it's superficial similarities to the Batman films, and due to the fact that each Batman after the 1989 film represented a diminishment in quality, culminating in the notorious Joel Schumacher rubber nipple era. Audiences saw the trailer for `The Shadow' figured they didn't need another darknight detective. Also, since the Shadow was off the airwaves and out of print by the late 1950's, he'd largely been forgotten and had no name recognition.
Superhero movies, at least as far as Hollywood is concerned, are all about the Brand. Hollywood likes them only insofar as they represent a product that is `pre-sold.' Hollywood wants a guaranteed minimum audience, and the Shadow doesn't have the power to automatically fill theaters. Only tbe power to captivate men's minds.
Movie Review: "The Shadow knows . . .(Wicked laughter.)"
Summary: 5 Stars
Lamont Cranston is a wealthy buisness man who just came back to Old New York City. But he didn't always use to be Lamont Cranston. In fact, he was a ruthless butcher, a drug lord and a man who would terroize china. But, when he was kidnapped to meet a master of the shadow arts, he was taught to end his wicked ways and use his master's abilities to 'cloud men's minds.' In a movie like this, it would make sense that the hero would be naturally evil before his transformation to being good. It's a new twist on the superhero genre, when you think about it. But, this movie reaches far beyond it's title and it's characters. This is a movie based on the Old Time Radio broadcasts of the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Originally voiced by Orsen welles( He was the voice of Lamont Cranston and the Shadow.) and masterfully done with other voice actors.
Margo Lane is the apparent love interest of the shadow, but, in this movie it details how they met. It's like an origin story like BATMAN. Aside from the broadcasts, which starred many men who voiced the shadow, this is also based on some of the Pulp Comics of yesteryear. And if you ask me, Alec Baldwin was a perfect choice for this role. He has that voice that resembles the shadow's dark demeanor.
True, the dialogue is somewhat normal and corny at times but the true spirit of this movie lies in it's style and in it's approach to the character of the Shadow. I'm actually surprised that it did poorly at the box office but I'm sure that it's a wonderful sleeper hit.
But, if you want to really get into this movie you must first pick up a CD of the original Broadcasts and listen to orsen wells. They really present a mystical mood and that is the feeling you must have before watching this movie.
When Compared to the companion movie, THE PHANTOM with Billy Zane, you have a duo collection of imortalized pulp hero's that make them both a legend. One can only hope that they release special editions of these two fine movies but regretably I don't think we'll see those 'till late 2010. Here's hoping.
Another thing: This movie is heavy on all the elements of film noir + supernatural abilities. There are also psychic powers strewn all over. This actual resonates with a DARK CITY tone when you think about it.
In conclusion: The movie is good if you are a sucker for film noir like me, and if you've researched it enough.
Enjoy!
Movie Review: It Just Couldn't Get Any Better!
Summary: 5 Stars
Tales of the Shadow used to come in two forms: the old radio serial where the Shadow had the power to cloud the minds of men, and the books where he just used a black cloak to blend into the night. The movie chose to follow the radio version and invested good money into having superior special effects making the Shadow invisible.
The plot is a little silly: the last descendant of Genghis Kahn is building an atomic bomb to blackmail New York with. But despite the basic plot, there's a great mixture of action and humor provided by Alec Baldwin and Penelope Ann Miller who have a great chemistry together. As Lamont Cranston and the Shadow, the harder he tries to push Margo Lane (played by Miller) away, the more determined she is to be with him as his lover and as one his many agents who he comes to depend on.
It's a shame this movie didn't do well when it first came out: I think it was a little too ahead of it's time. Had The Shadow came out after the X-Men, it would have been a lot more popular I think, but 1994 wasn't a good year for superheroes. However, this is a really good movie-- better than the likes of Daredevil, Electra, and the horrible movie, the Punisher. And in fact Marvel was nowhere near this movie, and I think this is one reason why it was so good-- and yet, also one of the reasons it didn't get the kind of distribution that would have made this movie more popular. There are a few cheesy moments, but those are few and far in between; most of the movie is really great.
Besides Alec Baldwin and Penelope Ann Miller, the cast also includes Peter Boyle, and Ian McKellen (Magneto in the X-Men movies) as Dr. Reinhardt Lane. With a talented cast like this, the movie can't help but be something delightful to watch. And best of all I think, is that this movie is in full screen rather than the horrendous letter-box format that is forced upon so many DVDs, so who can ask for anything more?
Movie Review: THE SHADOW
Summary: 5 Stars
THE SHADOW
The Shadows is a nice old-fashioned movie, circa 1930's, which is the decade it is set in. I grew up watching old movies which were shot in the 30's. I think this movie could hold its own with any of the B movies shot at the time, except this one is in color.
Alec Baldwin plays Lamont Cranston and the Shadow equally well. I suspect CGI was used in the few scenes which looked like they came from book covers.
Penelope Ann Miller wears her clothes comfortably. She doesn't look or act like she is wearing period piece clothing. She looks like she could pose for a art deco statue. If you don't understand what I mean, go rent a copy of HAIR. The actors aren't comfortable in the 60's style clothing.
The overall style of the movie is art deco. The old Monograph Hotel fits right into the NYC skyline. If you doubt me, go find a copy of New York Deco, a collection of photographs of famous and not famous New York art deco buildings.
Briefly seen items, but interesting:
The pneumatic tube communication system, we still use this system in drive-up bank windows.
The Tulku's temple and the Hotel Monograph are absolutely gorgeous.
Taylor Dane's performance of the theme song, ORIGNIAL SIN is her usually great belting of a good song. The singer in the Cobalt Club who does SOME KIND OF MYSTERY doesn't really get to strut her stuff, to truly appreciate her work, buy the CD soundtrack.
I must like this movie, I paid to see it on pay per view, and taped it. When I dumped my video collection (mainly taped of TV) I missed this movie, so I bought it on DVD.