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'SHAFT'
IS STILL HIP, STILL COOL...
Written
by Dean
Kish
Edited
by Thomas
Chau
Cast:
Samuel L. Jackson (John Shaft), Vanessa L. Williams
(Carmen), Jeffrey Wright (Peoples Hernandez), Christian
Bale (Walter Williams), Dan Hedaya (Jack Roselli), Busta
Rhymes (Rasaan), Toni Collette (Diane)
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Premise:
Private eye John Shaft tries to locate a large sum
of money that disappeared after the death of a black
community leader who, it turns out, was also involved
with the black mob. |
Overall
Rating:
Rated PG-13
for
violence, sexuality and language.
The
greatest blaxpolitation hero returns with a new face
and that same old attitude and style for a whole new
generation.
The
title of the film "Shaft" refers to the main
character John Shaft (now played by Samuel L Jackson)
who, in the early seventies, captivated audiences with
his cool attitude, no nonsense style, and brutal approach
to law enforcement. In this latest film, Shaft tries
to bring down a white supremacist (Christian Bale) who
has brutally clubbed a black guy to death. The key to
the case lies with a cocktail waitress (Toni Collette)
who saw the murder. If Shaft can track her down and
keep her alive long enough, he may finally catch his
man. The only thing standing is his way is a vindictive
drug dealer (Jeffrey Wright) hired by the supremacist
to kill the waitress.
All
of the brilliance in the original "Shaft"
is here in the film - streamlined and evolved into a
great looking action film. The film has great performances
from Samuel L Jackson, Jeffrey Wright and Christian
Bale.
Jackson
is perfectly cast as the attitude filled Shaft. One
small problem I had with his casting was some of his
scenes reminded me of the character he played in "Pulp
Fiction". But is that such a bad thing?
Bale
is amazing as the brutal bad guy who finds that there
are worse evils than he can deliver. This is Bale’s
second key role as a devilish villain. I think he has
the potential to travel the route James Woods has taken
with his career. (Anyone remember 'Newsies'?)
Finally
I was really impressed with relatively new Jeffrey Wright,
who plays the perfect druglord scumbag. He made his
motion picture debut 10 years ago with "Presumed
Innocent" but has since made a name for himself
on Broadway where he was awarded a Tony award in 1994
for the 7 hour play, "Angels in America –
Perestroika" . Wright was so believable that I
had to see him on "The Tonight Show" before
I could get that character out of my head.
The
way the film is put together and synchronized is really
nice to see. This is the pure atmosphere that makes
us fondly remember those cult films of seventies. I
have always loved the Isaac Hayes "Shaft"
theme song. Another atmospheric marvel within Shaft
is that this film plays homage to genre by embracing
what it was instead of making fun of it. Another breath
of fresh air had to be there was no cliched woman love
interest for the hero. Blaxpolitation is finally becoming
cool.
I
had only a couple of problems about "Shaft",
with one being the excessive amount of bad language
but that is just a warning to the people who may be
sensitive to that nature. Another was I felt was the
misuse of the female leads. Williams and even Collette
seemed to be dumbed down and fade into the background.
I felt sorry for them and wished that they were given
a little more depth. Pose this question: What would
happen if Shaft met a 90’s woman?
I
welcome the return to the 70's that "Shaft"
brings to me because I love his no holds barred approach.
Wonder if we’ll ever see a sequel?
(4
of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.
Discuss this movie in our Message
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(C)
2000 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
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