Shaft's Big Score!

Review #1045: Shaft's Big Score!

Cast: 
Richard Roundtree (John Shaft), Moses Gunn (Bumpy Jonas), Drew Bundini Brown (Willy), Joseph Mascolo (Gus Mascola), Kathy Imrie (Rita), Wally Taylor (Johnny Kelly), Julius Harris (Capt. Bollin), Rosalind Miles (Arna Asby), and Joe Santos (Pascal) Directed by Gordon Parks (#610 - Shaft (1971))

Review: 
The original Shaft movie was described by me as one with an "epitome of cool", in part due to its title character, action sequences, and its music. It had a style to it that is hard to beat and even harder to replicate, although that doesn't mean the sequel isn't any good. Shaft's Big Score! is fairly entertaining fare, with a cast that does its job with flying colors and some interesting action sequences to push this over the top for the most. Admittedly, the story is a bit sketchy at times with its execution and the pacing isn't as rip-roaring, mostly because the film seems a bit muddy with its motivations (even the title seems to be a bit strange considering what occurs in the film), but it's not a terribly boring movie. Roundtree is the key standout, retaining the confident charisma from the original while also being fairly hip and fairly consistent, resembling James Bond but without the gadgets.

Gunn also returns, although he isn't given too much to do. Taylor also does a pretty fine job in an adversarial role that doesn't go too over the top. Mascolo is the main villain (with Taylor also serving as an adversary), but it takes probably a bit too much time to introduce him and thus his performance is merely just okay. The rest of the cast do their jobs fairly well. The film retains the same director from the original, Gordon Parks (who also provides the music due to Issac Hayes being unavailable) along with Ernest Tidman, writer (along with producer) who had written the book that Shaft was based off of and cinematographer Urs Furrer. The climax scene, which goes from land to sea to air, manages to stand out fairly well due to having a gritty but riveting feel that is executed pretty well. This is the kind of film that has a certain energy and click that is absorbing for a blockbuster like this. On the whole, the movie is a bit uneven at times, but it also is an entertaining kind of action flick that makes for a useful good time.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Shaft (1971).

Review #610: Shaft.

Cast
Richard Roundtree (John Shaft), Moses Gunn (Bumpy Jonas), Charles Cioffi (Lt. Vic Androzzi), Christopher St. John (Ben Buford), Gwenn Mitchell (Ellie Moore), Lawrence Pressman (Tom Hannon), Victor Arnold (Charlie), and Sherri Brewer (Marcy Jonas) Directed by Gordon Parks.

Review
The epitome of cool, Shaft manages to have a charming lead character and have some thrilling action, combined with a cool theme song. Roundtree is fun to watch, with his charisma and charm the best aspect of the movie. The theme song by Issac Hayes is the right amount of funk and the right amount of cool to work perfectly. The movie feels like a throwback to detective movies from the 30's/40's, but Shaft has enough edge to work as its own, and the characters are certainly noteworthy. Gunn does a fine performance; his twisted character and his emotions (two) are contrasted well. It's a cheaply made movie, but it's a well-made movie nonetheless, it has enough charm and style with Roundtree alone to be a good flick, but the rest just adds on to the pile in a movie that will probably be immortalized and remembered for more years to come, as we're still talking about it 43 years (and a day) later.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Rollerball.

Review #127: Rollerball.

Cast
James Caan (Jonathan E.), John Houseman (Mr. Bartholomew), Maud Adams (Ella), John Beck (Moonpie), Moses Gunn (Cletus), Ralph Richardson (Librarian), Pamela Hensley (Mackie), and Barbara Trentham (Daphne) Directed by Norman Jewison.

Review
The film is a departure from other classic sci-fi films, as its theme is not of robots, aliens, or war, but violence. But that only makes the film better as we get some decent acting from Caan, and probably the standout of the film, the rollerball scenes. They still look great to this day, with this film being the first to credit stuntmen in the credits, showing the hard work it has done for a film that while not being great (It feels slow at times), it leaves an impression on you, unlike the remake, which just...No.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.