Shaft [2000] (DVD)

WHO DELIVERS TEN TIMES OUT OF TEN ? The answer is John Shaft. Who else could play the meanest mutha on the streets of New York other than Samual L Jackson. He brings all the coolness and attitude you need to the role. The film is not a remake of the original and more of an update. The Shaft in this film is actually the nephew of the orignal Shaft who also appears in the film. The story basically involves the murder of a young black man by a white yuppie Walter Wade (Bale). Because of his wealth and power he manages to evade justice which annoys shaft and makes him lose his faith in the justice system. It's time to bring Wade down. The only preson who can ...  Read the complete review

This is certainly not the most original film ever made, but then I don't believe it ever set out to be so. 'Shaft' draws heavily on the 1971 original (to the point of giving a cameo role to Richard Rowntree, the original Shaft who appears here as Uncle J) for it good guy/bad guy stereotypes, humour and general mood, but then this is no bad thing. Christian Bale reprises his role from 'American Psycho' as the murderous rich kid who can buy his way out of trouble - he kills a black man, and has the misfortune to come up against Detective John Shaft, the most high-profile black cop on the force. The plot deals with Shaft's attempts to get ...  Read the complete review

Reviving the character of Shaft, the Seventies super-cool, super-black private dick, must have seemed like a wicked idea on paper. And sure enough, if you want a cool, menacing character actor, Samuel L Jackson is definitely The Man. But somehow, the finished product fails to deliver the heap of cool it promises. John Shaft was the character who launched blaxploitation movies. Wearing acres of leather, the wildest flares and the biggest platforms, he solved crimes with a passionate disregard for law and order...he also had a passion for beautiful babes and big guns. The new Shaft is the old Shaft's nephew. And instead of being a private detective, this ...  Read the complete review

This movie is slick, cool and very enjoyable. Samuel L. Jackson plays Shaft with ease, and he is much better than you would expect. He?s not Richard Roundtree, but he manages to pull it off. This is basically an action flick with a bit more style than usual. The plot is thin, and characters are weak. Christian Bale resurrects his ?American Psycho? role and is, yet again, a mad rich kid. However, the film is held together by a great funk score by Isaac Hayes and cool performances from Jackson and Roundtree who has a supporting role. The only major problem I had with this film is why are all the white people bigoted racists? ...  Read the complete review

Samuel Jackson was the perfect choice to play Shaft, and while he is on the screen the movie sizzles. The problem with the movie is that too much time is spent on other, less interesting characters that not only add nothing to the plot, but actually detract from the movie's momentum. Still, there is much to like here. I wish we had gotten to know Shaft's partner a little better, but there is a definite chemistry between Jackson and the elegant Vanessa Williams. Richard Roundtree shows up just when he is needed (and for just the right amount of time), and his torch passing appearance adds a touch of class to the proceedings. Christian Bale is an always ...  Read the complete review