dariuslanghoff
It is a solid supernatural thriller set in Navajo Indian country - an atmospheric movie. Scott Glenn is a gloomy homicide detective named Cain sent to Indian country to apprehend Nakai Twobear, a serial killer who appears to possess supernatural powers.What looks like a routine transportation job turns into a nightmare when Cain subdues to his prisoner's hypnotic influence. Swerving to avoid an imaginary Indian on the road, he comes round in hospital to discover that Twobear escaped into the wilderness. Wanting to rectify his error, Cain joins a posse that sets off to recapture him. But as the team moves deeper into unknown territory, the hunters become the hunted...Although the film contains some grisly murder scenes, it mostly focuses on constructing believable characters and creating tense suspense sequences. The romantic subplot about the burgeoning relationship between the detective and fetch-able fellow tracker Angela Alvarado does not thwart the drama.The desert and mountain scenery is breathtaking. The movie falls into cliché now and then, with a few dream sequences envisaged to jolt the viewer. But, it does not resort to any boring HALLOWEEN-like ending where the murderer keeps coming back to life.This is a good picture - and I am not speaking in forked tongues.
merklekranz
"Shadowhunter" is not perfect, but it is different. Scott Glenn in his usual sleepy performance mode, is the Los Angeles detective assigned to bring back a Navaho killer from the Arizona reservation. When the "Coyote Man" fugitive escapes from Glenn, a desert pursuit commences. Benjamin Bratt is strong as the rarely seen villain. Robert Beltran, the reservation sheriff, is along for the ride, and Angela Alvarado is the love interest female tracker. The scenery is gorgeous, the mystical aspects are interesting, and our hero takes some real punishment. My only objection is that the rather shallow romantic scenes between Glenn and Alvarado, are nothing but a damn distraction. - MERK
lee-stamm
Scott Glenn does a fine job in his portrayal of a burnt out big city cop who is sent out to the Reservation to bring in a fugitive Navajo Indian for trial. It's supposed to offer him an easy assignment and some time to get himself back together. Instead, it turns out to be a nightmarish trip into the dark world of Navajo witchcraft, with Benjamin Bratt disturbingly menacing as the evil fugitive "Wolf." Viewers who may know a bit about Navajo culture, or who have read the Navajo Tribal Police mysteries by Tony Hillerman will recognize the "Skinwalker" scenario depicted in this film, and will find it easier to follow. In summary, an above average film, with crisp location filming, and good performances all around.
Movie Nuttball
Shadowhunter is pretty good film. I am surprised with a story like this and with stars such as Scott Glenn and Benjamin Bratt that the film seems to be little known and/or very underrated. The film is quite different though it maybe similar like the film that came years after this called The Missing. Glenn is good as the good guy and Bratt is plays his killer character very good! He has a very unique laugh and is unique to begin with! Angela Alvarado played her part very well! It was cool that Tim Sampson,Lee de Broux, and Robert Beltran were in the film. The action is good. Its good and interesting movie. I really like the Native Americans Indians in it. The sky views in the film very neat! The film has some messages in it. Anyway if you like the cast mentioned above and want to see a very different movie watch Shadowhunter!
AD
