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 - solid action flickSamuel L. Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Christian Bale, Jeffery Wright, Busta Rhymes, Dan Hedaya, Toni Colleti, and Richard Roundtree star in SHAFT, an action packed remake of the the 1971 hit film. I won't give away the plot, but the movie has a lot of action towards the last 25 minutes of the movie. The acting is pretty good, as is the direction by John Singleton. Samuel L. Jackson makes it seem like he was born to play the role. The only thing that I didn't like about this movie was that it took a while to hit its stride. Instead of a much needed big shootout to open the movie, we get a very brief sex scene which better hold you off because there isn't any more action more another 75 minutes. All in all, pretty solid action flick, but it took me a while to get involved with the movie. 2000; 99 minutes; Rated R for strong violence, almost endless obscenity, brief nudity, and sexual innuendo. Rating:  - So-so action film...I've never watched the original Shaft, so I have nothing to base this remake on. It's not a very serious action film. Jeffrey Wright and Busta Rhymes providing most of the comic relief. It is interesting to note that Richard Rountree (the original shaft) and Gordon Parks (the original director) played parts in this film. After watching this film, I can say I don't mind it. I've seen a lot worse, and I've seen better. Atleast with this film, you have Samuel Jackson playing another cool, suave character. It's too bad Venessa William didn't play a more integral part to the story. I would've liked to see a better dynamism between the two. But then again Shaft has always been a lone-ranger of sorts. This is not a plot-heavy story. It's about a rich kid that murders an African American, but this crime is witnessed by a waitress who goes into hiding after being threatened. Shaft is disheartened by the inadequacy of the system and decides to investigate on his own. Like I said, not plot-heavy. LEAP rating (each out of 5): ============================ L (Language) - 3 (nothing special, except for Jeff Wright's almost incomprehensible speech) E (Erotica) - 1 (opening sequence and a good kiss scene) A (Action) - 3.5 (unapologetic killings) P (Plot) - 2 (simple plot) Rating:  - Sam The ManI love this film, it may not be nothing like the orginal but it sure is action packed with alot of attitude. Sam Jackson sure is a volatile Muther (hey shut your mouth). The attitude of the charachters is what truly makes this film. Some folks may be very dissapointed if they are looking for the orginal Shaft. But for those who are open to a new story will enjoy this. One Love Rating: - You can dig itI thought this film was a good remake but it was just a little bit of a lesser degree than the original Richard Roundtree version. Which is good and bad. Samuel L. Jackson fits Roundtree's original like a glove (Richard also appears as Sam's uncle John which clues the audience into the next generation factor rather than remake). Plot is interesting and this involves a man who killed an innocent (Christian Bale is the killer) and Shaft wants to take him doen, but he won't do it without help from a witness (Toni Collette). At times a great ride, yet like re-toolings-cum-sequels, doesn't capture the authenticity of the original. This is one of the better films of 2000 anyway. Rating:  - RICHARD ROUNDTREE IS SHAFT...BUT SAMUEL L JACKSON DOES A PASSABLE JOB IN THE TITLE ROLE. THIS IS JUST A VERY POOR ATTEMPT AT CAPITALIZING ON A GREAT BUNCH OF 70'S FILMS. I'D DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS TO DIE-HARD SHAFT FANS, BUT TO THE UNINITIATED I WOULD RECOMMEND THE ORIGINALS.
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