What's that in the shadow? Russell Mulcahy directed The Shadow, adapting the character originally created by Walter B. Gibson. Alec Baldwin takes on the lead role, and he’s joined by John Lone, Penelope Ann Miller, Peter Boyle, Ian McKellen, and Tim Curry. David Koepp wrote the screenplay; apparently, he was a fan of the radio program that aired reruns when he was growing up. The story centers around Lamont Cranston (Baldwin) who acquires an alternate identity—The Shadow—during a mystical experience in Tibet, then uses his newfound abilities to combat crime back home. Things proceed smoothly until Shiwan Khan (Lone) appears; he’s the final descendant of Gengis Khan and shares his ancestor's desire for worldwide control. There’s a certain level of superhero movies that haven’t been well-received when compared to major franchises like Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man, or they’ve simply faded from memory because of their poor quality. Films such as "Daredevil," "The Phantom," possibly even "Darkman," and this 1994 film, "The Shadow," are seldom discussed by superhero enthusiasts. Maybe that's justified. Nevertheless, despite the uninspired and predictable storyline, “The Shadow” provides a reasonably enjoyable distraction and is at least visually striking. The depiction of 1930s Manhattan is exceptionally well-done, and credit should be given to the filmmakers for not relying too heavily on special effects. It has a pulp feel, which isn’t inherently negative. Honestly, the cast is adequate; they seem either underdeveloped or overshadowed by the production design, doing their best with what they have. It's not exactly thrilling or adrenaline-pumping as an action film should be. However, “The Shadow” possesses a somewhat dreamy atmosphere that makes it worth seeing. It’s possible a follow-up or reimagining with a stronger narrative might surface someday. 6/10

Source on TMDB