Shaft (2000)

Director:

John Singleton

Writers (WGA):

Ernest Tidyman (novel)
John Singleton (story) ...

Release Date:

16 June 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Still the man, any questions?

Plot:

New York City police detective John Shaft (nephew of the original 1970s detective) goes on a personal mission to make sure the son of a real estate tycoon is brought to justice after a racially-motivated murder.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Drugs | Trial | Switzerland | Police

Awards:

1 win & 12 nominations

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson	...	John Shaft
Vanessa Williams	...	Carmen Vasquez
Jeffrey Wright	...	Peoples Hernandez
Christian Bale	...	Walter Wade, Jr.
Busta Rhymes	...	Rasaan
Dan Hedaya	...	Jack Roselli
Toni Collette	...	Diane Palmieri
Richard Roundtree	...	Uncle John Shaft
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Jimmy Groves
Josef Sommer	...	Curt Fleming
Lynne Thigpen	...	Carla Howard
Philip Bosco	...	Walter Wade, Sr.
Pat Hingle	...	Hon. Dennis Bradford
Lee Tergesen	...	Luger
Daniel von Bargen	...	Lt. Kearney (as Daniel Von Bargen)

Also Known As:

Shaft - Noch Fragen? (Germany)
Shaft Returns (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and language.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English | German | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Colombia:12 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) (uncut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Broadway & 20th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Munich Film Partners & Company (MFP) Shaft Productions

Trivia:

According to an interview with Christian Bale, one of the main reasons why he took the role was because of a fight scene between Walter Wade and Shaft on an airport runway. The scene was filmed but was cut to make room for more scenes with Jeffrey Wright who scored highly with preview audiences.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After the first arrest of the drug dealers, the camera and its crew are reflected in the mirror on the far side of the booking area in the police station.

Quotes:

Walter Wade, Jr.: Do you know who my father is?
John Shaft: No, do you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Commission (2005)

Soundtrack:

Hot Gal Today (Krotches Remix)

Over-the-top but still not bad

Singleton's homage and modern day Shaft is an entertaining movie. Its not perfect, definitely flawed, from Wright's hilarious performances as People Hernandez, to the lines Samuel L. Jackson uses, to the whole feel of it, at times it did feel like a long sitcom. However it is always entertaining and exciting, and thats more than i can say for some other movies. I thought the cast did well, and basically saved Singleton, as the film seemed put together kind of lazy and rode the reputations of those involved. Still, it was a good movie, and i think its worth a look. Jeffrey Wright has some hilarious lines like "this is Italian leather, worth more than half your shitty paycheck" to the cops. hahaIMDb Rating: 5.9- MY Rating: 8/10