Slam-bang remake of the 1971 blaxploitation success involving New York City cop quitting the force out of frustration and anger and becoming a private detective. After the legal system fails to keep a wealthy, white racist/killer off the streets, it's Shaft to the rescue! Director John Singleton remembers that tough genre exercises can also be a lot of fun; this one certainly is, with exceptional performances by Samuel L. Jackson (perfect in the lead) and Jeffrey Wright as a notorious drug czar. Some of the plotting is hazy, but the movie never compromises itself--and never becomes a live-action cartoon. It stays tough to the end, especially with Isaac Hayes' updated theme over the credits. Can ya dig it? *** from ****
Review of Shaft
