This is an average-grade horror film based on the more primitive 1881 short story by Bram Stoker originally appearing in his collection entitled "Under The Sunset". Jamie Dixon, who's most prominent contributions were the visual effects on the James Cameron films of the 90's, takes a shot at directing this low budget effort featuring the intense acting ability of Michael "Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer" Rooker as a gun-toting Catholic priest on the hunt for a cult-leader turned demon wrecking havoc on a quiet town in the form of a shape-shifting shadow entity. Sure enough, the demon needs the soul sacrifice of a prophetic young boy (terribly portrayed by child actor Kevin Zegers.) It just so happens that the shadow demon is susceptible to the effects of bright light. (What a coincidence), and all this evil causes the town to go bonkers. Just about every plot device is predicable and contrived as typically dumb, hunky sheriff, Shawn Alex Thompson tries to piece it all together, and Tony Todd is just plain stupid as the wise-cracking town crazy, complete with phony "Pirates of the Caribbean" wig and eye-patch who is conveniently obsessed with artificial light. The visual effects and thinly crafted script are average at best as well as the demon creature itself. Overall, this has a lively pace, and Michael Rooker's pistol packing priest is a hoot. This little horror/action flick came around just when this type of genre was dying out, and the VHS craze was being replaced with the DVD revolution, so it is considered by many to be a "transitional rarity". You could do worse...considering.

"Shadow Builder" doesn't only dispose of the ugliest VHS-cover in the history of cinema, it also is one of the most ineptly bizarre films I ever had the (mis)fortune of seeing. The film is a little bit based on a short story by Bram Stoker (you know, the guy who gained some fame with his vampire novel) but the scriptwriter obviously had a lot of fun adding insane stuff that comes from his own imagination, like a swearing priest who operates 9mm guns…with laser beams! Believe it or not, but there are many interesting ideas and ingenious details noticeable in "Shadow Builder", and with a slightly more coherent script, the film might have been very good. It introduces a quite original monster, in the shape of Darth Vader-resembling demon that can only reign in the shadows. He has been summoned by a bunch of freaks and now he's looking for 12-year-old Chris Hatcher. During the sun eclipse, demon-guy will use Chris to make the world come to an end because he was born with stigmata. Yes, very clever!! Michael Rooker stars as the troubled priest who stalks the demon all over the country and Tony "Candyman" Todd has an insignificant role as the town's nut. The film is actually quite enjoyable, but only during the moments when the plot doesn't necessarily have to make sense, like for example the neat sequences of the town in chaos or when the demon possesses random souls in order to gain power. Director Jamie Dixon tries to uphold a constant level of action and most cast members seem to fulfill their job with great devotion. I can't properly judge the use of special effects, though. Some visual gimmicks are quite well done whereas others are lousy and on the verge of pitiful. Definitely not a must-see, but if you're a fan of silly horror, it's worth watching when it comes on TV or something.

this movie is amazzing i found it in town yesterday and thought the case looked good so me being me i bought it obvouisly forgeting previous films i had bought with good cases like THE VAULT and HORROR VISION and SHE LIVES AT NIGHT which turned out to be so crap i wish i had never bought them but anyway i still bought this one remmembering that bram stokers dracula was good and i thought oh bram stokers shadow builder should be good boy was i correct the special effects for a non cinema release movie were outstanding the acting was good and the script got better and better i was deeply pleased with this movie and i think i will buy more imperial entertainment movies from now on 8/10

With direct to video, you always have lowered expectations. So this one really grabs you. Good to see Michael Rooker playing a Good Guy. Thats part of what works. He has that capacity to turn evil at any moment. An as-kicking, devil-whomping priest!Again with this type of movie you don't expect the best special effects, you have to appreciate the sense that people cared enough about this story to do it as well as they did it on a button buget.