Synopsis:

When an upscale brat commits a racially motivated murder, John Shaft comes in to deliver swift painful justice. However, the powers that be are persuaded by the boys' father's money and he's released without bail and quickly flees the country. Add to that the only witness to the crime and the key to his successful prosecution is hiding from both Shaft and our villain. Shaft has one thing and one thing only to do. Seeing that the justice system turns a sympathetic ear to a monied murderer, shaft leaves the force and plans on handling this the way his uncle (of the same name) would handle it. After all, he's Shaft, and he a bad mutha****"Shut cho mouth", I'm just talking about Shaft!

Audio/Video:

Both the Audio and video for the film are impeccable. Paramount did a first rate job on the anamorphic widescreen transfer of this film. The colors are vibrant and rich, the blacks deep and true and the skin tones are accurate. The 5.1 audio is just mean! Shaft's score and the soundtrack for the film literally pound the aural experience into you. The surrounds are really well used and the sub really delivers the LFE, which as you can imagine is throughout the whole of the film.

Menus:

I don't always comment on menus but when a pretty decent menu is presented, I take notice. Shaft's opening menu is really nicely produced with both animation and the film's throbbing score. Sadly, the balance of the film's menus are static and nothing to talk about.

Extras:

Though not a full-fledged Special Edition, it's probably the best we can expect from Paramount. Reflections on Shaft is a collection of interviews with the cast and the originator of the character, the one and only Richard Roundtree! The segment runs roughly 25 minutes and is really a great insight into the thoughts of all the cast members and their memories of Shaft vs. their actually being in the re-make. Shaft: Still the Man-Making of Featurette lasts roughly 16 minutes and shows some behind the scenes footage and additional interviews with the cast. The film's trailer and two videos for the movie round out the extras.

Overall:

What can I say? Samuel L. Jackson IS Shaft and he delivers one heck of a performance! Shaft is full of great acting and a great storyline as well. Not to mention that Richard Roundtree is also in the movie! Samuel L. Jackson is one of only two people I can think that could pull off a role of this magnitude…Laurence Fishburne being the only other actor cool enough to be John Shaft! If you liked the original, John Singleton's remake will definitely make you smile. It's a solid film with some really solid performances. Not to mention a twist or two to make the film all that more fun and interesting! Highly Recommended!