Truly the worst movie I've ever seen in a theater

the audience applauded

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

In Washington DC, several people are shot dead by muscular Stephen Lang (in a very long coat). After this mysterious opening, we meet presidential special assistant Charlie Sheen (as Robert "Bobby" Bishop). For the most part, this movie shows us numerous stunted situations for Sheen, who has more lives than a cat. He witnesses a murder and escapes one himself. Then, he escapes another, and another and another... in fact, Mr. Sheen may suffer more Perils than Pauline. "Shadow Conspiracy" involves a plot to assassinate the President of the United States, which Sheen tries to stop. They do get to that, eventually. The story plays like they either didn't adhere to the script or revised it as they went along – this results in something which varies from confusing to predictable...For his last film, director George P. Cosmatos gets some nicely photographed moments, with help from the skilled Feitshans family. Serious and jut-jawed, Sheen disappoints by "acting" throughout – he's better when allowing himself into his characters, with humor. Sheen doesn't appeal as a steely-eyed action hero. An illustrious supporting cast features reliable Donald Sutherland (as Jacob Conrad), who is fine but obvious in these surroundings, and investigative reporter Linda Hamilton (as Amanda Givens) appearing confused and superfluous...At one point we're not to worry because there is a "Shadow Government inside the White House." Since this is a Presidential assassination thriller, it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume Republican politician and former Vice President Dick Cheney saw this film. In politics beginning with the Richard M. Nixon Administration, Mr. Cheney revealed a secret "Shadow Government" existed in the US, shortly after the 9/11 "World Trade Center" terrorist attacks. The story seemed to die after a few days and Cheney is no longer asked about his mysterious revelation. Cheney was certain Iraq had "weapons of mass destruction" poised to attack the USA, said the war would be over in weeks and other nonsense – so, he may have swiped his "Shadow Government" idea from this relatively obscure movie.**** Shadow Conspiracy (1/25/97) George P. Cosmatos ~ Charlie Sheen, Donald Sutherland, Linda Hamilton, Stephen Lang

I decided to watch this for two reasons, despite all the bad reviews. One, I like Charlie Sheen. Two, it has a great supporting cast. It turns out it's as bad as everyone says it is. There isn't much action to speak of, aside from a couple of memorable chase sequences involving Sheen. It's derivative in the extreme. Nothing stands out about what so ever, and it's been done much better. We aren't given any proper explanation as to why somebody on the inside, working for the Whitehouse is causing all this trouble. It thinks it can just throw in twists whenever it wants, and we will accept it. The swerves are very predictable as well. Charlie Sheen gives one of his worst performances here. Usually he has a lot of charisma, and can make anything watchable. He takes everything serious, and plays it completely straight. This movie could have benefited from Sheen's charisma, but he plays it way too seriously. Linda Hamilton is entirely unconvincing and rather dull. This is the same woman who played Sarah Connor. The damsel in distress role is clearly not in her forte, so why they cast her in this is beyond me. Linda Hamilton herself said this movie was horrible, so that should tell you all there is to know. Donald Sutherland adds solid presence, but his character has a predictable twist, and he's kind of slumming it a bit. Ben Gazzara is wasted in his role, whilst Stephen Lang makes for an OK baddie. I saw this last night, and I don't remember much about it. That should tell you how effective this movie wasFinal Thoughts: Avoid temptation, and leave this one be. Die hard Charlie Sheen fans needn't bother, either. 3/10

Now, this work doesn't reek, it's enjoyable, and energetic, in spite of its inability to be great. But it tries too hard to reach for that greatness, while still holding on to the life raft. Charlie Sheen never had it in him to be great. He was good, in many performances, in many different roles, but he is not capable of greatness on screen.The same can be said for Donald Sutherland. His son Keifer is far more talented, far more believable in roles as something great. Even when that something embodies a terrible darkness.This work, like its actors, tries to be great in its story, action, and political posturing, but like most who posture, it can lead nowhere, as posturing is not being, it's pretending to be. And that's all this movie could ever hope to achieve.The action is good, the story is good, the performances are good, and the characters are well written, but well written and good is all this has to give.It rates a 5.2/10 from...the Fiend :.

Bobby Bishop's role in the White House was never made clear, but when they needed him, they sent a helicopter, and he arrived in a conference room full of suits still wearing his sweaty Princeton sweatshirt. Once he cleaned up and put on his own suit, Bishop went before the press to clear up a public relations problem--after reminding a certain congressman what could happen if said congressman didn't help.A secret meeting with Prof. Pochenko promised to reveal something not quite kosher in the White House. But a man with a gun wanted the information to stay secret. So Bishop spent the rest of the movie on the run and trying to uncover secrets with the help of Washington Herald reporter Amanda Givens. Meanwhile, someone was capable of monitoring pretty much every phone call that took place in the movie.I like Charlie Sheen better as a womanizing jerk, but he was just fine here. Both Sheen characters know how to scheme and lie and otherwise be quite charming to get what they want. Donald Sutherland did a credible job as the White House Chief of Staff who didn't have faith in the President's ability. And Sam Waterston didn't exactly inspire confidence as the President. Linda Hamilton was good as Amanda. This wasn't a great action thriller, but it was good nevertheless. Too violent for my taste (and there was a stern warning on the TV station I watched, even after the movie was cleaned up for TV), but I enjoyed the chases and the occasional comedy.