Roger Ebert Loved This Underrated ’90s Comic Book Movie

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Starting in the 1990s, comic books became a major force in Hollywood, leading to huge successes like Avengers and lesser-known favorites like The Shadow. Some of these adaptations have become massive franchises, particularly within Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, but not all have found lasting success. For example, a well-regarded film from 1994 starring Alec Baldwin deserves a remake.

The 1990s saw a shift in filmmaking, with independent directors moving away from the upbeat style of 1980s blockbusters and embracing grittier thrillers, dramas, and horror. While big franchises and adaptations remained popular, movies, especially those based on comics, began to explore darker themes following Tim Burton’s influence. Several actors have played Batman, but Alec Baldwin delivered a memorable performance as the iconic detective. Despite being released thirty-one years ago, Russell Mulcahy’s film adaptation of The Shadow remains a hidden gem and is ripe for a remake, earning praise from critic .

The Shadow Brought A Comic Book Icon To Life

I was so excited when they decided to make a movie about The Shadow back in 1994! The character actually came around way before Batman – he was the original dark, mysterious hero on the radio and in comics, and tons of people loved him back in the 30s. This movie took some interesting liberties with his backstory, though. They changed things so that Lamont Cranston wasn’t just a mysterious figure, but someone who used to be a big drug dealer after World War I. Then, he gets trained by this spiritual leader called the Tulku, who teaches him how to use psychic powers and basically manipulate people – even control what they see or don’t see. It’s a really cool take on how he got his abilities.

The story picks up with Cranston in New York City, years after his initial training. He’s built a team of helpers – from a reliable taxi driver who gets him around, to a scientist he once saved – who act as his eyes and ears, helping him stop the city’s criminals. But things get complicated when Shiwan Khan, the last living relative of Genghis Khan, arrives. Shiwan, also trained by the Tulku but now driven by evil, intends to fulfill his family’s destiny by taking over the world. As he begins to control the minds of New York’s citizens, the Shadow steps in to stop him.

While the action is good, the real strength of Russell Mulcahy’s film lies in its atmosphere and depiction of New York City. He creates a unique vision of the city, reminiscent of Tim Burton’s Gotham, but without changing the buildings’ architecture. The longer you watch, the more you realize this city desperately needs the mysterious ‘Shadow’.

The Shadow was a pioneering hero in pulp magazines and remains a classic, inspiring countless comics, novels, and other adventures. The film adaptation is also noteworthy, offering a different take on superhero movies reminiscent of an earlier era and a glimpse of how things could have turned out.

Roger Ebert Was A Fan of The Shadow

Throughout his career, he worked on many adventure films, including the Indiana Jones series, The Phantom, and Stephen Sommers’ Mummy movies. So, it’s no surprise he enjoyed The Shadow, giving it a solid 3 out of 4 stars.

In his review, Ebert noted that The Shadow is a film best enjoyed by those already familiar with and appreciative of classic film noir. He felt that the movie’s visuals – think shadowy streets, glamorous women, and vintage cars – would particularly resonate with fans of that style. Ebert, known for his attention to a film’s overall feel, believed director Russell Mulcahy successfully recreated the atmosphere of old pulp magazines and radio dramas.

Ebert admitted the plot wasn’t the film’s strongest point, but argued it didn’t matter much. He believed the movie’s unique style and atmosphere were what truly mattered, successfully capturing the feel of old pulp magazines and radio dramas. He specifically highlighted the excellent casting of Alec Baldwin and the film’s impressive visuals and music, which all contributed to a world that felt authentically pulled from the original source material. This dedication to a distinct, less-familiar world stood in contrast to the approach of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which built its popularity on relatable characters and settings.

Some people enjoy the way Stan Lee built worlds that felt like extensions of our own, but there’s also a lot to appreciate in the gritty, dramatic portrayal of locations like New York. Ultimately, this was what made the 1994 film adaptation of Gibson’s story so compelling.

Many Great 1990s Movies Were Inspired By Pulp Fiction

In the 1990s, movies changed quite a bit. Dark, suspenseful thrillers, like Se7en, became popular again, and superhero films started getting much bigger budgets thanks to Tim Burton’s Batman. Audiences were eager for adaptations of comic books, leading to films based on characters like Blade, Spawn, and The Mask, as well as a Swamp Thing television series.

A defining trend of the 1990s was Hollywood’s effort to turn classic pulp magazine stories into blockbuster movies. This push followed the huge success of the Indiana Jones films, which were heavily inspired by those same old-fashioned adventure heroes.

A wave of movies embracing classic adventure stories emerged, including films like The Shadow, The Rocketeer, The Phantom, and Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy series. These movies featured heroes known for their abilities and courage, rather than superpowers. They were ordinary people thrown into exciting and mysterious adventures. It’s easy to see why Roger Ebert enjoyed these films, as he favored these resourceful, adventurous heroes over the more recent trend of superhero stories.

The rise of movies based on pulp magazines perfectly fit the 1990s’ move toward grittier genres like thrillers and slasher horror. These magazines were often sold as a more adult alternative to superhero comics, which were primarily for children. So, it makes sense that a film like The Shadow was created as a tribute to classic film noir, instead of the more flamboyant style of the Batman movies.

Despite attempts to bring classic heroes like The Green Hornet and Lone Ranger back to the big screen, these movies haven’t typically been successful. Issues like high production costs and lesser-known characters have made it difficult for them to resonate with audiences, although the 1998 film Mask of Zorro proved to be a notable exception.

Batman Fans Owe It All To The Shadow

Batman has become arguably the most famous and successful comic book character in history, celebrating almost a century since his creation. However, a lesser-known hero called the Shadow often gets overlooked. Many people unfamiliar with comic history even assume the Shadow was inspired by Batman, but the opposite is true. The Shadow actually debuted eight years before Batman, and his impact on the genre is even more significant than many realize.

It’s well-known that Batman’s 1939 first appearance heavily borrowed from a story featuring Walter B. Gibson’s character, The Shadow, essentially meaning Batman wouldn’t exist without him. The world of comic books is constantly evolving with new characters, but it’s important to remember the creators who shaped the industry. In 1994, Alec Baldwin starred alongside Tim Curry and Ian McKellen in a production that brought Walter B. Gibson’s influential pulp hero, The Shadow, to life.

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2025-11-06 02:39