What evil lurks in the hearts of men?

I thought this would be an appropriate movie to start with given the sudden abundance of super-hero movies in recent years. It is fun to see how this particular genre has evolved over time. Earlier movies of this type had a more stylistic look than the modern counterparts; while the newer films try to craft more complicated and psychological stories. For the best example of this you should compare Tim Burton's Batman with Christopher Nolan's.

The Shadow was a popular character from 1930s pulp magazines radio serials. Here he is played by Alec Baldwin, who's cool voice sounds perfect for the role. This time the shadow must use his hypnotic powers to save the world from the ruthless Shiwan Kahn. For comic book and super hero fans this is an absolute must watch. The Shadow is a unique character and, while this movie is riddled with outstanding supporting characters, the style is the real centerpiece of this work. The movie creates a dark yet fun 1930-something New York riddled with shadowy alleys, neon signs, and warm street lamps.

The one character I always had a problem with (in the movie adaptation) was Margo Lane. In the original serial she was the Shadow's female counterpart and sidekick, much like Lois Lane to Superman. In this film she is given psychic powers, instead of being a mere damsel in distress. While I enjoy powerful female characters, I thought giving her psychic powers was a poor choice. It would have been more compelling had she used her wit to decipher the Shadow's identity. Also, some of the humor in the movie is very corny, and may fall flat for some people.

Despite a few shortcomings, this is still a very entertaining film, especially if you are a fan of comic book movies. After seeing so many mediocre comic book movies recently, it's refreshing to see one this visually sharp and creative. Who knows if someone would dare reboot this franchise?... The Shadow knows.



-Alex