FROM THE BACK OF THE BOX:
Alec Baldwin stars as the legendary crime-fighting superhero in The Shadow, ’a spellbinding runaway entertainment ride’ (NBC News). Donning his sweeping black cape and disguise, The Shadow takes on his most dangerous nemesis yet: the last descendant of the great Genghis Khan whose weapon of choice is an atomic bomb. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, they square off for a spectacular battle in a dazzling mixture of mind-blowing special effects, humor and a dose of the macabre that will hold you spellbound!
Featuring an all-star cast Penelope Ann Miller (Carlito’s Way), John Lone (The Last Emperor), Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Ian McKellen (X-Men).
FROM THE BACK OF MY BRAIN:
“The Shadow” is the tale of Batman predecessor Lamont Cranston’s battle to use his wealth to wage a geo-political war against the enemies of good. For a film that is not fondly remembered, the lack of love is mind boggling. There are amazing sets, the script balances the period action well and there are so many excellent casting choices. I’ll go down to my grave saying that this is one of the best Jonathan Winters movies ever. Jerry Goldsmith’s score deserved an Oscar nomination, as it was the first comic book movie not to ape Danny Elfman’s Batman work for the next decade. But, let’s focus on what really sold the movie.
Alec Baldwin carries the picture on his back, as he shows the world that he could’ve and probably should’ve been Batman in a Burton less universe. David Goyer has talked about how he lifted certain elements from this film for the first act of “Batman Begins” and it shows. However, everything after that shifts around and plays with homages to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Lady from Shanghai”. Don’t get me started on a hall of mirrors being intellectual property of Bruce Lee, film nerds. You need to learn that film existed before 1973.
The Blu-Ray comes with new interviews, a trailer and still gallery. The 1080p transfer is so amazing that I can finally delete the HBO HD broadcast off my DVR. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track has been giving my home theater a workout for the last day. Maybe, it was because I was 13 and in love with period action movies at the time, but why didn’t this movie do better at the box office? In the end, I’d recommend a purchase and a blind buy to all fans new and old.
RELEASE DATE: 02/25/2014