May 10, 2001 05:02 PM
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Shaft is still the man
As a real fan of the Richard Roundtree original I was slightly dubious about a re-make of Shaft. Admittedly the cast is superior in its quality with Samuel L. Jackson and Vanessa Williams heading the list of notables but I really was unsure of the need to re-make such a seminal film. I am glad to say that John Singleton (the director) calmed all my fears within the first ten minutes of the film.
The film opens with Shaft arriving at the scene of a murder of a young black man. A suspect is being held at the scene and a terrified waitress is being guarded by police officers. Sickened by the waste of life and the suspects belief in that he will get off any charges because of who his father is Shaft’s control slips.
This reaction is the first thread of many throughout the film that link this and the original movie together. This denotes excellent directoral maturity in somebody as young as John Singleton. There are two cameo’s of note in this film; one is the role played by Richard Roundtree as Shaft’s uncle (a private detective by some strange co-incidence) and the second sees a brief appearance of the original films director, Gordon Parks.
Christian Bale (late of American Psycho) plays the obnoxious wealthy socialite exceptionally well, you immediately begin to sense the friction that is going to explode between Shaft and his character. As a result of Bales character being bailed by the judge hearing the charge arraignment he then escapes the USA for a period of some two years. Shaft however has never really been able to let this case go though and when he is informed of Bale’s return he makes arrangements for the welcoming committee to consist of himself and a friend played very well by Buster Rhymes.
Another player is tipped into the mix by the addition of Jeffrey Wright playing a Dominican sicario who goes by the name of “Peoples” Hernandez. A medium level drug dealer he and Christian Bale form an unholy team that Shaft pitches himself against. The casting of Jeffrey Wright is inspired as he uses his theatre training to bring real life to the Hernandez character.
The ending to this film has definite dark overtones and is not predictable as some might say. As to the waitress mentioned in the second paragraph you will just have to watch the film to see what role she has to play. Talking about her character I feel will give away too much of the film and make it less enjoyable for those who have not yet seen it.
A superbly shot film and if it does suffer from flat spots Jackson in his ultra-cool leather trenchcoat soon brings it spitting and snarling back into the audiences face. There are some scenes of excessive violence which have been used in context which is refreshing as it is used all too often nowadays as a spacefiller by film makers.
Excellent film. Make sure you see it.
