Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Shaft
2000

Director: John Singleton
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Christian Bale, Jeffrey Wright, Vanessa Williams

The original Shaft wasn't a cinematic masterpiece, but it's hard to think how this remake could've been any worse than it is. By replacing Samuel L. Jackson with Wesley Snipes? Jackson is solid as the strong-willed detective with ridiculous facial hair, but Christian Bale, who repeats his American Psycho role, and Jeffrey Wright play cardboard villains. The story is mindnumbingly formulaic. Half a star for a single line of dialogue: "It's my duty to please that booty".