Most Underrated Movie: The Shadow

Why this movie didn't make a bigger splash is beyond me.

For the uninitiated, The Shadow is the dark mysterious hero of 1930's radio serials, subsequently followed by every other sort of media including this movie in the 90's. The Shadow is the inspiration behind Batman, and probably every other popular hero that isn't a boyscout like Superman.

Here's the point I want to make about this movie: All of the individual parts work, and the whole thing works together as well. I can't figure why it wasn't better received, except guesses relating to shoddy marketing and PG-13 approach (it's decidedly more fun old-Star Wars than gritty-1989-Batman).

So let's start with the pieces:

My favorite thing about this movie is the soundtrack. Jerry Goldsmith's score is the perfect blend of haunting and exciting. I listen to it in my car... it's both memorable and enjoyable, and fits the film. Good luck finding it on iTunes though... you're going to have a find a used CD on eBay or Amazon like I did. (PS: Likewise the movie is relegated to an extremely-crappy 1:33-1 aspect ratio single disc DVD option--shenanigans)

The Force! This movie hits all the best good and evil, anger versus self-control themes that The Force did in the good old Star Wars movies (before the cheesy midichlorian-science era... shudder). This was just the right take on the Shadow's supernatural ability to "cloud mens' minds."

Alec Baldwin is tough, suave, and funny as the Shadow. Everyone's excited about him these days, but a lot of the same humor you see on 30 Rock is glimpsed in the Shadow. I am given to quoting his conversations with Margot and Shiwan Khan.

• Tim Curry plays a good slimeball


• John Lone does a great job as a modern day Mongol warlord


• Penelope Ann Miller is a solid 1940's dame


• Ian McKellen (Gandalf) plays a scatterbrained scientist


• The Shadow's Alfred-the-Butler is Moe, a helpful cab driver played by Peter Boyle (Everybody Loves Raymond's dad)


• Jonathan Winters is both the Shadow's dad and the NYPD Chief

This is a Black Hawk Down approach to casting. There are one or two truly big names there, and then almost a dozen other likable B-Listers in there.

The production on this film is solid, with a few great set pieces, sensible CG usage, a nice overall retro feel (late 30's, I think). The dialogue always makes me smile and everything else (story, pacing, etc.) is good.

This isn't an Oscar movie (except for maybe the soundtrack? Lion King won that year)... But it's a dang good movie! Worth watching if you haven't seen it.