Shaft (DVD, 2000, Sensormatic)

"Shaft" was a movie that had just about everything I could have hoped for. You had quality action. You had quality violence. You had quality music. You had quality cool, simply put, you had "Shaft." This reincarnation of "Shaft" has Samuel L. Jackson playing John Shaft. But, to not have him replacing the John Shaft of old, we find that he is the nephew of, well, the John Shaft of old, played by the original Richard Roundtree. This time around Shaft thinks that he can make a difference among the racists that are in the police force, court system, and the wealthy.
It all starts with a racist killing of a black man who was just minding his own business at a restaurant, gets taunted repeatedly by, Walter (Christian Bale), gets the crowd to laugh at Walter, but then gets his skull bashed in when he steps outside for a smoke. The only witness, a dudette who is too afraid to testify, among other things, and Walter gets out on bail and heads for Switzerland for some time on the slopes waiting for the heat to die down a little. Shaft is pissed. Another racist getting away and there’s not much he can do at the time. But Shaft persists, Walter comes back to the states, and now it is a race to find the witness, with a contract price now on her head, and Shaft has to save the day.
Samuel L. Jackson is today’s epitome of cool, and he doesn’t upstage Richard Roundtree either as it seems Richard actually has an easier time with the ladies. And Shaft is viscous in his wanting things right, isn’t afraid to bash a skull in where needed, and knows how to manipulate the bad guys. Exactly what you would expect, with the addition of a great twist towards the ending that I didn’t see coming.
So I won’t bore you anymore with a time consuming review but just say that I found "Shaft" one of the most entertaining movies, even without nudity. Samuel L. Jackson is one bad-mother "shut your mouth", Richard Roundtree comes off great as the uncle who knows what John is fighting for, and sort of helps mentor the younger Shaft into reality, but also how reality can be made to work for you. The movie leads the door open for a sequel, and I’m actually hoping they consider a follow-up.

Love this updated version of Shaft because John Singleton (writer, director) has captured the tempo and continual racial problems in today's New York City...artistically, music is still the best (from original film) and the acting couldn't be better--Samuel Jackson, Christian Bale are excellent...and Bust Rhymes is always terrific even in this tiny role...even if you're not old enough to have seen the original, this should be a must on anyone's DVDs to own list.

I bought this movie a week or so ago because it is a favorite of my wife's. After watching it with her, I realized that not only had I seen this movie before, but I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Anyone who is a fan of action movies, or Samuel L. Jackson, or the ORIGINAL Shaft - all will find something to like about this movie.

Sure, the plot device has been done before (privileged majority male performs a hate crime on a minority, appears to get off scott-free) but the acting was well done, the pacing of the movie itself was excellent and the dialog was at times comical as well as serious- which was necessary given the subject matter.

Overall, this was definitely a good purchase as it is a good movie that bears watching more than once, if for no other reason than to see certain characters (Peoples, anyone?) again. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves action flicks.

I hardly remember the original but this one I will always remember. Samuel Jackson(Shaft) played a remarkable character along with Jeffrey Wright(Peoples). I had a great story line.

Samuel L. Jackson as Shaft - CANNOT beat that! He's smooth, cool, knows his stuff. Plus, early Christian Bale, before his heroic turn as the Caped Crusader, AND the Original "Shaft" in a Cameo role. Too cool!