Shaft
(2000)
|
Samuel L. Jackson stars as detective John Shaft, a new-generation "black private dick who's a sex machine with all the chicks" in this stylish, action-packed update of the classic blaxploitation trilogy (SHAFT, SHAFT'S BIG SCORE!, and SHAFT IN AFRICA) from the early 1970s. Shaft's nemesis this time around is Walter Wade Jr. (Christian Bale), a cocky, blue-blooded white kid who commits a violent hate crime but still manages to skirt the system. When Wade forms an unholy alliance with powerful Dominican drug lord Peoples Hernandez (Jeffrey Wright) along with two dirty cops from Shaft's own precinct, Shaft turns in his badge to dispense justice on his own terms. Luckily for him, the original Shaft (Richard Roundtree, who is this Shaft's uncle) is around to help out, along with Vanessa Williams as a trustworthy cop, Toni Colette as an eyewitness to Wade's crime, and rapper Busta Rhymes as Shaft's man-on-the-street Rasaan. Director John Singleton (BOYZ N THE HOOD, HIGHER LEARNING) appears in a brief cameo, as does original SHAFT director Gordon Parks; the only creator missing is Ernest Tidyman, who wrote the novel that started it all. And SHAFT fans, take comfort--Isaac Hayes's remake of his classic theme is as funky as ever. |
Samuel L Jackson, very cool in a wardrobe designed by Armani, has the necessary presence to carry off this slick homage to the icon of 1970s blaxploitation from director John Singleton. This Shaft is the nephew of the original (Richard Roundtree, who returns to the screen here with a beauty on each arm), and he's one mad, mean mother, especially when wealthy creep Christian Bale gets away with a brutal, racially motivated murder. Vanessa Williams is pure window-dressing as Shaft's partner, but Jeffrey Wright is brilliant as his drugs lord nemesis, while Isaac Hayes's Oscar-winning theme song once again gets the pulse pumping for some maliciously funny twists and heavy violence, as Shaft outwits informers, sadists and bent cops to get to his killer with ruthless style. Still the man!