The Shadow

Though it is based on an old radio program, the new big-screen version of "The Shadow" cribs heavily from "Batman" and "Darkman," with a dab of "Star Wars." The result is a decidedly mixed bag of campy humor, wild-eyed fantasy and high-tech special effects.

Unfortunately, director Russell Mulcahy (the first two "Highlander" films) gives emphasis to the effects, muting the storyline and the more subtle gags in the screenplay by David Koepp ("Jurassic Park," "Death Becomes Her"). (And the PG-13 rating is a bit soft for all the graphic violence on display.)

But adventure and fantasy fans will still find enjoyment in this over-the-top thriller, which is obviously open-ended for a possible future franchise.

The film begins in Tibet as we meet Lamont Cranston (Alec Baldwin), who has adopted the identity of Ying Ko and is ruling a kingdom with blood and terror, gaining a reputation as "The Butcher of Lhasa." But when he is reluctantly taken under the wing of a holy man, Ying is turned from evil as he learns hypnotism and gains a number of supernatural powers, most prominently the ability to make himself invisible, except for his shadow.

Seven years later, he is in gothic New York City, living a wealthy lifestyle in a Manhattan mansion (much like Bruce Wayne), secretly fighting crime under his "Shadow" persona.

The main plot kicks into gear when Shiwan Khan (John Lone) shows up. He's a descendent of Genghis Khan, with similar powers, and later we find that he trained under the same holy man as Cranston — but Shiwan stayed with the dark side of the force, so to speak. He first attempts to recruit Cranston, then challenges him.

As they do battle, Cranston uses a number of agents he has recruited around the city (Peter Boyle as a cabbie, Sab Shimono as a scientist) — while his uncle, the police commissioner (Jonathan Winters), thinks he's just a layabout playboy.

Romantic relief is provided by Penelope Ann Miller, as Margo Lane (no relation to Lois), the wealthy daughter of an absent-minded professor (Ian McKellen). And the professor is recruited by Shiwan to build an atomic bomb.

There are some thrilling set-pieces and cliffhanger situations, while a few good gags manage to get through. (I especially liked the Llama cigarettes billboard.) And the art deco set design is interesting, as is the general '30s motif (just as it was in "Batman").

The cast is also good, particularly Baldwin, who is properly intense and melodramatic, delivering his lines with campy wit.

But the entire enterprise would have been more fun if Mulcahy had just lightened up the violence and thrill sequences and settled on an even tone.

Ironically, the film's biggest laughs are provided by Tim Curry as a slimy henchman of Shiwan. He's manic, over the top and ridiculous — and the film could have used more of that kind of wacky madness.

"The Shadow" is rated PG-13 for considerable violence and mayhem, as well as profanity, vulgarity and drug use (opium smoking).