Movies / Shaft (2000)
Runtime: 99 min
Languages: English German Spanish
Samuel L. Jackson makes a gleefully updated John Shaft in John Singleton's homage to (not remake of) the early '70s action classic, picking up where Richard Roundtree's legendary Shaft left off. The Manhattan-set film is highlighted by 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
Keywords (103) |
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Directors (1) | Credit |
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John Singleton | ... |
Writers (4) | Credit |
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Ernest Tidyman | (novel "Shaft") |
John Singleton | (screenplay) & |
Richard Price | (screenplay) and |
Shane Salerno | (screenplay) |
Composers (1) | Credit |
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David Arnold | ... |
Editors (2) | Credit |
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Antonia Van Drimmelen | ... |
John Bloom | ... |
Cinematographers (1) | Credit |
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Donald E. Thorin | ... |
Actors (96) | Credit |
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Ahmed Al-Khan | Bystander at Metronome |
Al Thompson | Pistolero (uncredited) |
Amer Al-Khan | Bystander at Metronome |
Andre Royo | Tattoo |
Angela Pietropinto | Mrs. Ann Palmieri |
Ann Ducati | Aunt Toni DeCarlo |
Bonz Malone | Malik |
Boston Stergis | (uncredited) |
Brian Oswald Talbot | Malik's Crew |
Busta Rhymes | Rasaan |
Capital Jay | Golem |
Caprice Benedetti | Karen |
Carl Low | Dominican #5 (uncredited) |
Catherine Kellner | Ivy |
Chris Orr | Walter's Friend |
Christian Bale | Walter Wade, Jr. |
Christopher Orr | Walter's Friend |
Cue Shepherd | Sexy girl (uncredited) |
Dan Hedaya | Jack Roselli |
Daniel von Bargen | Lt. Kearney (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
Dawn Robinson | Lenox Lounge Patron (uncredited) |
Deirdre Lovejoy | Police Officer (uncredited) |
Dorian Missick | Young Man (uncredited) |
Doug Hutchison | Plane Door Opener (uncredited) |
Doy Gabriel Castillo | (uncredited) |
Elizabeth Banks | Trey's Friend (as Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell) |
Evan Farmer | Walter's Friend |
Fidel Vicioso | Pistolero |
Francisco 'Coqui' Taveras | Lucifer |
Freddie Ricks | Big Raymond |
F. Valentino Morales | Enforcer |
Gano Grills | Cornbread |
Gloria Reuben | Sgt. Council (uncredited) |
Gordon Parks | Mr. P (uncredited) |
Henry G. Thomas | Malik's Crew |
Jeff Branson | Walter's Friend |
Jeffrey Wright | Peoples Hernandez |
Jerome Preston Bates | Desk Sergeant |
Joan Baker | Uncle John Shaft's girlfriend (uncredited) |
Joe Quintero | Assistant D.A. Hector Torres |
Johanna Estevez | Girlfriend (uncredited) |
John Cunningham | Judge |
John Elsen | Uniform Cop in Metronome |
John Singleton | Bored Cop with Tea Cup (uncredited) |
John Wojda | Construction Worker |
Josef Sommer | Curt Fleming |
Kevin O'Donnell | Club Kid (uncredited) |
Lanette Ware | Terry |
Lawrence Taylor | Lamont |
Lee Tergesen | Luger |
Lisa Cooley | News Anchor |
Louie Leonardo | Pistolero |
Lou Torres | Fatman (uncredited) |
Luis Torres | Fat Man |
Lynne Thigpen | Carla Howard |
Marc Yarrish | TV Anchor (uncredited) |
Mark Zeisler | D.A. Andrew Nicoli |
Marshall T. Broughton | Malik's Crew |
Mary Ann Hannon | Walter Wade's Housekeeper (uncredited) |
Matthew Wallace | Fighting Boy |
Mekhi Phifer | Trey Howard |
Mercedes Mercado | Waitress (uncredited) |
Mustafa Shakir | Protester (uncredited) |
Myron Primes | Young Blood |
Nadine Mozon | Abused Woman |
Nicholas J. Coleman | Bystander at Metronome (uncredited) |
Nik Pjeternikaj | Detective (uncredited) |
Pat Hingle | Hon. Dennis Bradford |
Peter McRobbie | Lt. Cromartie |
Peter Stickles | Mickey Hunt (uncredited) |
Philip Bosco | Walter Wade, Sr. |
Philip Rudolph | Uniform Sergeant |
Preston Thomas | Malik's Crew |
Rashid Feleyfel | Bystander at Metronome |
Richard Barboza | Dominican |
Richard Cocchiaro | Frank Palmieri |
Richard Roundtree | Uncle John Shaft |
Riley G. Matthews Jr. | Desk & Cell Officer (uncredited) |
Roman Rivera | (uncredited) |
Ron Castellano | Mike Palmieri |
Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Jimmy Groves |
Samuel L. Jackson | John Shaft |
Scott Lucy | Trey's Friend |
Selena Mars | Protester (uncredited) |
Sixto Ramos | Bonehead |
Sonja Sohn | Alice |
Stu 'Large' Riley | Leon |
Todd Fredericks | Bystander at Metronome (uncredited) |
Toni Collette | Diane Palmieri |
Tony Rhune | Pistolero |
Travis Brandon Rosa | Fighting Boy |
Universal | Young Blood |
Vanessa Williams | Carmen Vasquez |
Will Chase | Walter's Friend |
William H. Burns | Arresting Officer (uncredited) |
Zach Grenier | Harrison Loeb |