Shaft

THE GIST: Called to investigated a racially motivated murder, Shaft loses his cool and smacks the wealthy, smug suspect, allowing him to get bail, during which he flees the country. When he returns, and is arrested, Shaft makes it his personal mission to ensure he's held accountable for his actions by looking for the only witness who can nail him for good.

This Shaft is a semi-sequel to the original 1971 Shaft starring Richard Roundtree, who here plays that same character, John Shaft, as the retired uncle of Samuel L. Jackson's John Shaft.

Jackson is perfect in the role and clearly relishes the part. Good turns from Jeffrey Wright, Christian Bale, and Toni Collette as well.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The topic of racism resonates strongly even today and there are some good action scenes, but overall this is a vehicle for Jackson and above all a throwback to the blaxploitation movies of the '70s. If you're into that kind of movie you'll enjoy this, otherwise you'll probably find your eyes rolling a few times.

Grade: 5.5