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| Shaft [2000] | ![Shaft [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F54RC2K9L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: John Singleton
Actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Christian Bale, Jeffrey Wright, Busta Rhymes
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £15.99
Buy New: £0.95
You Save: £15.04 (94%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 8486
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, Pal, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), German (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Media: DVD
Running Time: 95 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5014437805737
ASIN: B000058E3D
Release Date: April 9, 2001
Theatrical Release Date: June 16, 2000
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Samuel L. Jackson makes a gleefully updated John Shaft in John Singleton's homage (not remake) to the early 1970s action classic, picking up where Richard Roundtree's legendary Shaft left off. The Manhattan-set film features excellent performances, dynamic action scenes and witty one-liners (Jackson's Shaft: "It's my duty to please the booty"--although the line's deceptive: there's a surprising lack of sex in the film). Unfortunately, it's offset by a surprisingly uninspired, predictable, one-dimensional story, penned by Singleton, Richard Price and Shane Salerno. The story, in which Shaft investigates the murder of a young African American, is without suspense, since from the start the audience knows that rich white boy Walter Wade (Christian Bale) did the deed and that Shaft is going to kick his ass, big time. That said, charismatic performances--from Jackson (who, in keeping with the times, is more volatile and fiery than his predecessor), Toni Collette (as a frightened witness), the villainous Bale and the utterly amazing Jeffrey Wright (Basquiat)--make the film enticing and watchable. Look for a cameo by the original Shaft's director, the legendary Gordon Parks, and fans of the original should note that a still stunningly handsome Roundtree briefly appears as Jackson's uncle. --N.F. Mendoza, Amazon.com
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
HE WALKS THE WALK BECAUSE HE IS SHAFT August 6, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Thirty years is a long time to wait to make a sequel, especially when no one is clamoring for one. Director/Writer/Producer John Singleton decided it was about time. The result is a solid, but undistinguished crime drama. The elements of this story have been told so many times that they are becoming hackneyed. A tough, no-nonsense cop fights evil and corruption to bring justice to the streets while often disregarding the law. A spoiled rich kid is trying to get away with murder by hiring a drug dealer to snuff an eyewitness with the help of a couple of dirty cops. This is not vanguard material.
Singleton's direction is good in the action sequences (of which there are plenty) and adequate in the dramatic scenes. In this film, he doesn't bring much innovation to the screen, with very straightforward shots and mundane locations. In an overly reverent gesture to the original film, he brings back Richard Roundtree (the original Shaft) as the current Shaft's (Samuel L. Jackson) uncle and mentor. There is also a cameo appearance by Gordon Parks, the director of the original, and of course, Isaac Hayes theme song is back.
The film is elevated from mediocrity by the acting. Samuel L. Jackson is an outstanding actor and slips on the character of this tough, streetwise cop like a tailored glove. When he's bad, he's very very bad and when he is good, he's almost saintly. Christian Bale also gives a fine performance as the despicable rich kid who thinks his wealth puts him above the law. Jeffrey Wright is explosive as the egomaniac drug lord. The supporting actors are also excellent.
This is an entertaining film despite its lack of originality. I rated it a 7/10. Action junkies add a point or two. This film is extremely violent with a high body count.
 Poor crime film - a shame September 26, 2006
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Samuel L Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown) stars as central protagonist, legendary detective Shaft and with the amount of passion behind Jackson's performances over recent years and the recommendations, I was led to believe this would be a good film and I was really disappointed.
Jackson stars in a lead role as the detective who wants to get Christian Bale's (Batman Begins, Little Women) character in jail.
The story is poorly consistent. The beginning had me engaged to an interesting committed plot but after the characters were established and the murder scene was over it fell apart. The story became slow, predictable and just boring. The jokes are poor; the chases are predictable and the story lacks enthusiasm.
It was a shame for me to see Jackson in this kind of a role. He tries his best to live up to black icon Shaft's reputation but never seems comfortable in it, perhaps it was the story that a was a disappointment.
It was slow, had no meaning, and created only slight emotion at few points. The characters are all dull and even the crime conventions are over done, especially towards the end.
Even the acting by the supporting actors seemed poor, especially by Jeffery Wright (Ali, Lady in the water) who never seemed at one point a threatening villain and was always portrayed in a negative light.
The crime conventions are well used and portrayed which allowed me to gain a somewhat decent perspective but it doesn't compare to a crime film such as Pulp Fiction.
And what was Busta Rhymes doing? He is unbelievably awful in his role as Rassan and the way he performed during the scene in his apartment actually made me cry for him.
The ending is unbelievably atrocious, I could have been sick it was literally that bad.
I haven't seen the original Shaft but have been told that it is interesting. Its just a shame I watched this one first because remakes are usually never as good e.g. The Italian Job. But it hasn't encouraged me to see the original and all I can say that it has been a huge let down
dont bother
6/10
Jackson and Bale makes this more than your standard action flick June 21, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Jackson plays the ultra cool detective John Shaft, who is trying to get a racist murderer (played by an excellent Christian Bale) behind bars. Shaft has to fight a corrupt system and various low-lifes to get what he wants.
I hadn't seen the original Shaft, but I wasn't expecting much from this movie. But I was pleasantly surprised.
All in all, a fun movie with excellent performances by Bale and Jackson.
 Don?t give Samuel L Jackson a bad day August 22, 2002
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This movie really impressed me when I saw how cool Shaft was. The remake of the 1970s classic is excellent. The perfect actor (Samuel) gives an amazing performance. He?s cool, smooth and knows how to get his way. If you watch this, it?s exciting to watch his character get justice even without justice backing him officially. What happens in the beginning is murder of a black man. Shaft investigates and quits his job to get justice to find out who did it. The film brings us to the gang neighbourhoods as well as the corrupted police force. All in all, a really cool film with and excellent performance by Samuel L Jackson.
Ignore all bad reviews of this film: they got horribly wrong March 5, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Blimey. This film drips coolness from start to finish. you never really take it seriously, but frankly, who cares when a film entertains this much? It is one of a very select bunch of films that the gloss added actually improves the film. There are plenty of intriguing characters, and the music and action are both very slick.
A 'boys film' and no mistake.
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