This was a tight update flick about the legendary urban icon! I don't need to say much about how Sam portrayed the one and only SHAFT, Let's just say if you have been waiting a number of years for the right man to fill his shoes, then your wait is over.
Yet its not just Sam alone, an excellent cast supports the background under the direction of the talented John Singleton. Its good to see Mr. Singleton back behind the camera after the ultra-grim ROSEWOOD. Here he seems at home telling an action-packed tale of how ugly and raw the city can always get. And how one man can always try and set it right for the people. Yeah, I know, that might sound like the same thing, but this film is different. It packs a harder punch than the original film and manages to be both frighteningly realistic and flamboyantly entertaining.
My only problem was that Vanessa Williams didn't have much to do with her role, you would expect a better relationship to blossom between her and Samuel. But my guess is that the writers had a "been there done that" thing in mind and trimmed down the romance. No big deal.
Plus an added bonus (I dont know if this was intentional or ironic but..) If you take a closer look at this film, you'll notice some scenes that might look familiar. Scenes from FOXY BROWN,CAR WASH,THE MACK,SUPER FLY,SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSSS SONG, THE HUMAN TORNADO, and a bunch of others are used in this film. I won't go over what scenes they are, but if you are familiar with those classic "Blaxpoitation" films, then you'll see what I'm talking about :-)
So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a ticket and enjoy a great flick!!
Yet its not just Sam alone, an excellent cast supports the background under the direction of the talented John Singleton. Its good to see Mr. Singleton back behind the camera after the ultra-grim ROSEWOOD. Here he seems at home telling an action-packed tale of how ugly and raw the city can always get. And how one man can always try and set it right for the people. Yeah, I know, that might sound like the same thing, but this film is different. It packs a harder punch than the original film and manages to be both frighteningly realistic and flamboyantly entertaining.
My only problem was that Vanessa Williams didn't have much to do with her role, you would expect a better relationship to blossom between her and Samuel. But my guess is that the writers had a "been there done that" thing in mind and trimmed down the romance. No big deal.
Plus an added bonus (I dont know if this was intentional or ironic but..) If you take a closer look at this film, you'll notice some scenes that might look familiar. Scenes from FOXY BROWN,CAR WASH,THE MACK,SUPER FLY,SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSSS SONG, THE HUMAN TORNADO, and a bunch of others are used in this film. I won't go over what scenes they are, but if you are familiar with those classic "Blaxpoitation" films, then you'll see what I'm talking about :-)
So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a ticket and enjoy a great flick!!