Customer Reviews

Shaft's Big Score [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back in prehistoric times, John Shaft was the role model if you was a nice guy, Priest from Superfly was the man if you was dreaming of livin' the life. Shaft's Big Score the followup to the Cool Black crimefighter series, is a slickened up version of the much more grittier original. Still, the bad ... gets off. The climatic chase has been "rescene" in dozens of later films from Hollywood and around the world and Mr. Parks still doesn't get the proper props for bringing to the screen a cultural icon that despite time and Singleton's "nephew" is still the Man. The late Reverend O.C. Smith is too countrified for singing a Big City theme but the powers the be didn't want to pay Isaac"Black Moses-Voice of ... Reason Chef from South Park" Hayes asking price. But there is a tease of what it might of been in the club scene where somebodys' girlfriend swirls to the early '70s funk. Never mind the usher pass the joint and hand me the gin Shaft Big Score is smokin' Jim.

Can you dig it! Gotta love the action in this one. Better than the first one!!!

Black and white mobsters eyeing the lucrative numbers market in Queens square off in this nice action film that has more going for it than the original movie a year earlier. Richard Roundtree reprises his role as the tough, sexy private eye who manages to make the ladies swoon and the gangsters look for ways to eliminate him once and for all. The action scenes are good but the final chase sequence, while entertaining, drags on a bit too long and runs out of steam before the explosive ending. O.C. Smith sings the theme song but one wonders what happened to Isaac Hayes and his great vocals and instrumentals? Still, this picture is one of the best blaxploitation films that were quite the rage back in the day.

I thought this flick was a cut above the original "Shaft". With star Richard Roundtree and director Gordon Parks returning they've upped the ante here. Roundtree feels more at home in his leather and turtlenecks and he's been blessed with a better story that involves him manipulating different mob factions with a cache of money thrown into the mix. The flick concludes with a terrifically conceived chase scene that involves fast cars, speedboats, and helicopters that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. This is popcorn entertainment of the best kind!

Of all of the movies that I own, I keep coming back to the Shaft movies. I wish that they could have made more of them. Don't listen to others, this one is just as good as the first one!

This is the typical story of the black man against the Italian-American(black blood is on them also..) for control of the ghetto. This one is good because it takes a look into black people with money in the early 70's. This film has action, sex, story, chases and a mob boss who doe snot mind you talking sh*t to him, but touch his food or matrial items and he is pissed!

If you like black exploitation films or if you are white and you like raw action films, get this. Shaft is Africa was a little different(could be why they never made another), but still ok. Shaft's Big Score should be your score.

Shaft's Big Score is a decent sequel, but the pacing is a bit slow at times. You can't beat The Theme From Shaft, but Big Score has got some tight music in it, keepin' it funky for the Private Dick whose a brotha man. Bumpy and Willie, my two favorite characters are back, and Bumpy is still tolerating Shaft while Bumpy maintains his hilarious disrepecting of him. About midway through is one of coolest scenes ever-Shaft is getting worked over backstage at a nightclub by Mob goons while the shots cut back and forth between busted jaws and writhing exotic dancers. The whole scene is scored with a heavily funky tune about the fuzz comin' 'round and what you gonna do when the mace comes down. Obviously, then you gotta just disrespect the Man and check this movie out.

Because of the success of the original "Shaft," MGM upgraded the series, giving more action scenes and less nudity; so this time Shaft in the opening credits drives a car in the midnight New York while in the previous film he was walking down the street.

The basic of the story is not particuarly original. It is about the missing money from the safe of Shaft's friend and insurance broker. As Shaft starts his investigation, a crime syndicate is looking for the money while it tries to kill him, but of course, it's a very, very wrong idea. Our Shaft, keeping the police and Bumpy (Moses Gunn re-appearing from the original) at bay, gets what he wants, as always!

Gordon Parks (who had a long remarkable career as photographer, and himself appearing as a croupier here) demonstrates he is also good at presenting impressive action scenes, especially the chase scenes at the end of the film. However, by the today's standard, they might look too long and stretched. Actually, the stunts themselves are impressive, but if the editing had been tighter, they would be much better.

Richard Roundtree looks as sexy as ever, and entertains us with his suave way of talking to girls. Other characters are drawn better than original "Shaft." Charismatic Julius W Harris is cast effectively as a detective, and the idea of clarinet-playing gangster is interesting. And Drew Bundini Brown's Willy is a standout. The movie is a satisfactory, if not perfect, action thriller.

Flashy, stylish and violent, this extremely fast paced sequel to "Shaft", has the private eye once again up to his neck in the underworld. Chasing after a cool quarter of a million dollars, Shaft once again uses fists, guns, and nearly everything else to outsmart the mob and the cops to avenge the death of a friend. From the mean streets of New York, to the flatlands of the Harlem River, Shaft cements his reputation as the baddest of them all. Hair raising boat chase finale is one of the best ever filmed.

Shaft's Big Score was the second entry of the series. The main let down was the music that was provided with O.C. Smith's vocals. It had some gems of dialogue like the elderly lady scene at the elevator. Being a vehicle showcasing black actors, it was a conversation piece for the African American while playing card or during breaks at work or school. It was a thrill to watch then and still is fun now.

After a great movie in Shaft, I was a little disappointed in watching Shaft's Big Score. The highlight of the movie is Shaft and Willie (Bumpy's body guard) teaming up to kick some a**. Even still, this wasn't much of a movie.