Shaft (US)

6 / 10
3 votes cast
Rate this item

Still the man, any questions?
Certificate: R
Running Time: 99 mins
Retail Price: $29.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie

Synopsis:
Who delivers ten times out of ten? Samuel L. Jackson is Shaft, the man and the movie. John Singleton (Boyz `N` The Hood), directs this gritty action packed thriller.

With Uncle John Shaft (Richard Roundtree reprising his original role) as mentor, it`s no surprise that today`s Shaft is the coolest dude and the hottest action around. To stop a racist killer (Christian Bale) Shaft`s got to track down the only eyewitness that can put him behind bars (Toni Colette). As Shaft closes in, so does the danger. Armed with attitude and up against corrupt cops and venomous druglords he`s out to make crime pay up.

Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
"Reflections On Shaft" Exclusive Cast and Crew Interviews
"Shaft: Still The Man" Making Of Featurette
"Theme From Shaft" Isaac Hayes Music Video
"Bad Man" R. Kelly Music Video
Theatrical Trailer

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 French

Subtitle Tracks:
English

Directed By:
John Singleton

Written By:
Richard Price
Shane Salerno
John Singleton
Ernest Tidyman

Starring:
Richard Roundtree
Busta Rhymes
Christian Bale
Jeffrey Wright
Vanessa L. Williams
Samuel L. Jackson

Casting By:
Ilene Starger

Soundtrack By:
David Arnold

Music From:
Isaac Hayes

Director of Photography:
Donald E. Thorin

Editor:
Antonia Van Drimmelen
John Bloom

Costume Designer:
Ruth E. Carter

Production Designer:
Patrizia Von Brandenstein

Producer:
Eric Steel
John Singleton
Scott Rudin
Mark Roybal

Executive Producer:
Adam Schroeder
Steve Nicolaides
Paul Hall

Distributor:
Paramount Pictures

Your Opinions and Comments

6 / 10

What a surprisingly worthless piece of a movie.
It is dull plot-wise, horribly acted and so very predictable.
The video transfer is very good. There are no compression signs at all. The transitions from scene to scene are very unique and nicely done.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good. The surrounds are used on several occasions, but nothing major. The music is excellent, that is, in case you are into mid 70`s porn music. In other words - it`s horrible and extremely annoying after the first 5 minutes of the movie.
The menus are animated with sounds.
The extras include a half an hour behind the scenes look and 2 awful music videos. Nothing worth watching.
Bottom line - bad, bad movie - "Dig it, ya dawg".

posted by Zvi Josef on 25/1/2001 17:37

8 / 10

John Singleton is a fine director who in the past has done some good films (BOYZ N THA HOOD, BABY BOY, ROSEWOOD) and some uneven films (HIGHER LEARNING, POETIC JUSTICE). He makes his first big commerical hit with this updating of the 1971 blaxploitation class SHAFT with Samuel L. Jackson playing John Shaft, namesake and nephew of Richard Roundtree`s character from the original film. Roundtree even has a small supporting role in this film. Nephew John`s assignment is to protect a woman (Toni Collete) who witnessed a racially motivated murder of a black man by a spoiled brat racist rich kid (Christian Bale) and is out to silence her with the help of hired thugs headed by a low level Latin drug dealer (Jeffrey Wright in a wonderful performance). Gone here are the preachy social messages of Singleton`s earlier film. This is strictly an action film with some great action scenes and great direction by Singleton. Cast also includes Vanessa L. Williams and Busta Rhymes.
The DVD itself is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen which has an excellent transfer with vivid images and crisp colors. The DD 5.1 soundtrack is also excellent with all of the crashes and bangs heard in great detail. Again, I.m not into extra features on newer movies so I didn`t go through them. Anyone looking for a solid action film on a great looking disc, this is the one for you.

posted by Soulman1 on 11/5/2003 06:21