Support Shadows: Buy a Poster

The more you think about the film, the more it falls to pieces. It's riddled with logistical and continuity errors that keep the audience continually uttering "Huh?" while the story veers from comic book excess to over-serious Hollywood mush. Connery doesn't bother to play the role at all, and his character throws the film off balance, taking over the story with unnecessary subplots and moments of meaningful heroic gibberish as he passes wisdom to the young Sawyer. Oh please! The rest of the cast camp it up frightfully but without a sense of humour; we never like any of them. The film is bereft of wit, despite attempting several lame jokes. And this is the biggest problem: For a tale that depends on a suspension of disbelief, it's completely lacking in fun and adventure. Director Norrington just powers forward mindlessly, full of self-important posturing even though it's ridiculous (I mean honestly, the car and submarine alone will generate hours dialog about the film's logical incongruities). Meanwhile, Robinson's script is derivative, corny and full of irksome anachronisms. The effects are impressive and completely inappropriate, driving the story instead of the other way round (Mr Hyde's rubbery Hulk-like figure is a serious misstep, especially this summer!). Everything is just completely wrong about this film--production design, editing, you name it. And if I have to say one good thing, well ... it's not boring for a second!