Directed by Russell Mulcahy
Written by David Koepp

Alec Baldwin, John Lone, Penelope Anne Miller, Ian McKellen, Peter Boyle, Tim Curry, Johnathan Winters, Sab Shimono, James Hong.

Not long after the First World War, Lamont Cranston (Baldwin), has set himself up in Tibet as Ying-Ko, a drug kingpin. one day he is kidnapped by a mysterious Tulku, who offers him redemption, to fight evil, rather than be evil. Taught for years in the ways to cloud and change minds – he becomes a crime fighter named The Shadow.

Years later, back in his home city of New York, he meets socialite Margot Lane, the only person who can read his mind. She is also immune to his ability to cloud hers.

At the same time, the last descendant of Genghis Khan, Shiwan Khan (Lone) has arrived in NY, who also has the ability to Cloud mens minds, as a former student of the Tulko himself. However he is out for evil rather than good, and wants Ying-Ko to join him.

Visually stunning, with a Pulp Fiction novel type look about it there is a real feel of early 1930’s Big Apple. Some of the Art and Set decorators were responsible for such gems as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Back to the Future Pt2, and Hook, just to name a few.

The score from the legendary Jerry Goldsmith is dynamic and mesmerizing, and is a great addition to the film.

Not a perfect hero movie, but still okay. Baldwin has always been able to hold his own as the lead – and does that here too. If you are a fan of his (and I am) this is an enjoyable film.

Some of the effects are a bit dated, but it was filmed in 1994.

3/5