35 reviews
The second outing concerns about Shaft , the African-American independent eye-private . This time confronts sinister mobsters , battling black (again Bumpy, Moses Gunn) and white (Mascolo , Joe Santos) gangs . Fiercy Shaft finds a dead friend , a brother his sweet-girl , he ran under legitimate business , a funeral home and all types of insurances , however he hid stakes issues in Queens . Two-fisted Shaft in order to avenge his friend , vows revenge and investigates the deeds . Meanwhile , a police captain (Julius Harris) suspects on Shaft . Extremely tough Shaft spontaneously encounters himself in the middle of a bands war and running afoul of the underworld .
This one features thrills , hair-raising suspense , raw energy , nudism, adult subject matter and lots of violence . Plenty of intrigue, kinky sex and noisy action ; Shaft keeps things moving along , until final fight on a pier with a breathtaking pursuit by helicopter . Violent , tough screenplay by Stirling Shilliphant based on characters created by Ernest Tidyman . Great and enjoyable musical score by the same director Gordon Parks in Isaac Hayes style , recently deceased. Hayes's theme song stills resonates today .
Followed by superior third part 'Shaft in Africa (John Guillermin)' with Vonetta McGee and Frank Finlay ; besides contemporary and revisionist version by John Singleton (2000) with Samuel L. Jackson and as secondary Richard Roundtree as Shaft's uncle . Furthermore , seven television episodes (1973 , 74 years) starred by Roundtree . The Shaft series turned out to be one the best black films from the early 70s.
This one features thrills , hair-raising suspense , raw energy , nudism, adult subject matter and lots of violence . Plenty of intrigue, kinky sex and noisy action ; Shaft keeps things moving along , until final fight on a pier with a breathtaking pursuit by helicopter . Violent , tough screenplay by Stirling Shilliphant based on characters created by Ernest Tidyman . Great and enjoyable musical score by the same director Gordon Parks in Isaac Hayes style , recently deceased. Hayes's theme song stills resonates today .
Followed by superior third part 'Shaft in Africa (John Guillermin)' with Vonetta McGee and Frank Finlay ; besides contemporary and revisionist version by John Singleton (2000) with Samuel L. Jackson and as secondary Richard Roundtree as Shaft's uncle . Furthermore , seven television episodes (1973 , 74 years) starred by Roundtree . The Shaft series turned out to be one the best black films from the early 70s.
Just recently, I've been yearning for some quality blaxploitation, but have lucked out with my last couple of choices: TNT Jackson was a completely dreadful Coffy wannabe and The Black Cobra, starring Fred Williamson, wasn't even a proper blaxploitation (that'll teach me not to do my homework first). This time around, I was more careful with my selection: Shaft is the cool cat who never disappoints (just ask the long line of ladies he leaves in his wake!).
In this, his second adventure, the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks (once again played by Richard Roundtree) becomes involved in a gang war after an old friend is blown to pieces by a bomb. As John Shaft sets about settling the score with the killers, he gets sexy with a few hot mamas, proves tasty with his fists, blows away some bad guys (resulting in some nice 'n' bloody gunshot wounds), uncovers a hidden stash of cash, drives a speedboat at high speed and shoots a helicopter out of the sky. It's not exactly groundbreaking stuff, but it is hugely entertaining, with great characters and winning performances all round, some impressively mounted action sequences (the bigger budget really shows), several pretty ladies jiggling their bits around, and that all important funky score.
In this, his second adventure, the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks (once again played by Richard Roundtree) becomes involved in a gang war after an old friend is blown to pieces by a bomb. As John Shaft sets about settling the score with the killers, he gets sexy with a few hot mamas, proves tasty with his fists, blows away some bad guys (resulting in some nice 'n' bloody gunshot wounds), uncovers a hidden stash of cash, drives a speedboat at high speed and shoots a helicopter out of the sky. It's not exactly groundbreaking stuff, but it is hugely entertaining, with great characters and winning performances all round, some impressively mounted action sequences (the bigger budget really shows), several pretty ladies jiggling their bits around, and that all important funky score.
- BA_Harrison
- Apr 2, 2015
- Permalink
- planktonrules
- Aug 10, 2008
- Permalink
I'm not sure what went wrong with this sequel to 'Shaft'. Once again Gordon Parks directs, Ernest Tidyman writes and Richard Roundtree stars, but there's something missing. It isn't anywhere near as entertaining as the original and the story is very thin and padded out. The score isn't as good either. Isaac Hayes only contributes one number, Parks himself does the rest. Moses Gunn and Drew Bundini Brown reprise their roles as Bumpy and Willy and blaxploitation fave Julius W. Harris ('Superfly', 'Black Caesar') appears as a cop who forms an uneasy alliance of sorts with Shaft. Also check out future soap star Joseph Mascolo as a clarinet playing mobster called, er, Mascolo and Joe Santos later of 'The Rockford Files' as his right hand man. Richard Roundtree is still super cool as John Shaft and he helps make this movie to be fairly enjoyable. Personally I prefer the third in the series 'Shaft In Africa' to this, but if the truth be told neither sequel is a patch on the original which in an undisputed blaxploitation classic and essential viewing for any 70s buff.
Shaft really was the African-American answer to the popular James Bond franchise. This movie shows this perhaps more than any of the other Shaft movies. Violence, girls, sex, chases, "Shaft's Big Score!" has it all!
By no means any of the Shaft movies are among the greatest of all time. Nevertheless they are extremely memorable thanks to its main character, played by Richard Roundtree. He's hip, digs his women and isn't afraid to hold back when it comes to action. He's a classic and important iconic African-American character from the '70's.
The movie its story and plot lines are a bit messy (in that way this movie also resembles James Bond movies), which also makes the movie unclear and not always totally interesting to follow. The movie also really lacks a good main ruthless villain. The villain in this movie is perhaps introduced a bit too late to really leave his mark on the movie. In that way "Shaft's Big Score!" is a really lacking movie, when it comes down to its story, storytelling and characters.
Thankfully the movie isn't lacking in action and great dialog. Some of the dialog is just brilliant and suits the atmosphere of the movie- and its time period extremely well. Also of course the music adds to this atmosphere. But surprisingly good is also the action in the movie. The movie doesn't really feature that much action but the lack of it is made up during the great finale, that features a good old fashioned typical '70's car chase, boat chase and helicopter chase in one, James Bond style. It's really true that the ending makes up a lot. It makes you forget some of the weaker points of the movie, although in the end "Shaft's Big Score!" is still nothing more than an average action-flick with one great, cool main character.
A good movie featuring the classic character Shaft and some really great action.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
By no means any of the Shaft movies are among the greatest of all time. Nevertheless they are extremely memorable thanks to its main character, played by Richard Roundtree. He's hip, digs his women and isn't afraid to hold back when it comes to action. He's a classic and important iconic African-American character from the '70's.
The movie its story and plot lines are a bit messy (in that way this movie also resembles James Bond movies), which also makes the movie unclear and not always totally interesting to follow. The movie also really lacks a good main ruthless villain. The villain in this movie is perhaps introduced a bit too late to really leave his mark on the movie. In that way "Shaft's Big Score!" is a really lacking movie, when it comes down to its story, storytelling and characters.
Thankfully the movie isn't lacking in action and great dialog. Some of the dialog is just brilliant and suits the atmosphere of the movie- and its time period extremely well. Also of course the music adds to this atmosphere. But surprisingly good is also the action in the movie. The movie doesn't really feature that much action but the lack of it is made up during the great finale, that features a good old fashioned typical '70's car chase, boat chase and helicopter chase in one, James Bond style. It's really true that the ending makes up a lot. It makes you forget some of the weaker points of the movie, although in the end "Shaft's Big Score!" is still nothing more than an average action-flick with one great, cool main character.
A good movie featuring the classic character Shaft and some really great action.
6/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
- Boba_Fett1138
- Dec 12, 2006
- Permalink
This is the proper sequel to Shaft and one that is worthy of his name. He is again the cool and calm brother that doesn't let anything bother him. He even gets worked over good by the baddies.
Moses Gunn is back as Bumpy, a Blofeld character, and antagonist extraordinaire. And, of course, it's the old song about the Mafia horning in on Black turf that makes Shaft interesting - playing against both sides; black and white.
Rosalind Miles is here to keep Shaft interested at home, but you know he will stray, so there is Kathy Imrie to bump into and bed.
The ending with it's car chase and helicopter and machine guns is pure Bond, and Shaft outdoes Bond with a satchel full of loot to take home.
Pure fun!
Moses Gunn is back as Bumpy, a Blofeld character, and antagonist extraordinaire. And, of course, it's the old song about the Mafia horning in on Black turf that makes Shaft interesting - playing against both sides; black and white.
Rosalind Miles is here to keep Shaft interested at home, but you know he will stray, so there is Kathy Imrie to bump into and bed.
The ending with it's car chase and helicopter and machine guns is pure Bond, and Shaft outdoes Bond with a satchel full of loot to take home.
Pure fun!
- lastliberal
- Jul 19, 2008
- Permalink
Shaft (Richard Roundtree) investigates the murder of an old friend and finds himself in a war between mobsters and pimps. OK blaxploitation sequel isn't as good as the first film but is still entertaining. The plot seems like something taken from some old private detective movie from the '40s and updated to the gritty '70s. Director Gordon Parks also does the music for this one. It's not bad but not as good as Isaac Hayes. My favorite scene is the one that goes back & forth between the sexy dancers in body paint and Shaft getting his butt kicked in slow motion backstage. Overall, not bad but not particularly memorable. Shaft is still cool and there are several sexy ladies and lots of colorful dialogue. It will keep you entertained throughout.
Due the great success at Box-Office the producers right away schedule a sequel putting more money in the budge, allowing gets helicopter, speedboat, cars chase also a sophisticated visual on entire movie expecting increasing the offer, also they preserve the black mobster Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gun) and his mid bald colorful minion Willy (Drew Bundini Brown), either bringing the veteran Julius Harris to replace the friendly Charles Cioffi as N.Y. Chief of Police and for God's sake of course keeping the crafty director Gordon Parks.
The storyline is enough engaging when a good heart black mobster Cal Asby (Robert Kya-Hill) who died in an explosion at his funeral parlour & insurance company, previously planned by his partner Johnny Kelly (Wally Taylor) who was in trouble with an Italian Mobster Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo) due he owe 250.000 bucks for gambling, Cal Asby was about to buy Kelly's share, since he becomes a compulsive gambler, also Asby is regarded as a clean Mobster just exploiting the stakes he didn't allowed drugs or prostitution on Queens.
After his dead sudden Johnny Kelly takes over the business again, nonetheless Shaft's girlfriend is Asby's sister Arna Asby (Rosalind Miles) owns 50% of the partnership, Shafts intents preserved her share, however the infamous money subject of the strife disappears without a trace, meanwhile Kelly in dire straits playing a dangerous game selling his share for Bumpy Jonas and for Mascola, thus isn't sure a bright move for a loser gambler.
This sequel has many qualities, however aren't match to the original, moreover the soundtrack is fair good but caught in the same premise, the outcome at New York decommissioned shipyard is too contrived, sounds a Hollywoodian presentation, shallow and useless, added some turnaround, but the highlights stays at night club dancing scenes, fresh, and boldest sexy!!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5
The storyline is enough engaging when a good heart black mobster Cal Asby (Robert Kya-Hill) who died in an explosion at his funeral parlour & insurance company, previously planned by his partner Johnny Kelly (Wally Taylor) who was in trouble with an Italian Mobster Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo) due he owe 250.000 bucks for gambling, Cal Asby was about to buy Kelly's share, since he becomes a compulsive gambler, also Asby is regarded as a clean Mobster just exploiting the stakes he didn't allowed drugs or prostitution on Queens.
After his dead sudden Johnny Kelly takes over the business again, nonetheless Shaft's girlfriend is Asby's sister Arna Asby (Rosalind Miles) owns 50% of the partnership, Shafts intents preserved her share, however the infamous money subject of the strife disappears without a trace, meanwhile Kelly in dire straits playing a dangerous game selling his share for Bumpy Jonas and for Mascola, thus isn't sure a bright move for a loser gambler.
This sequel has many qualities, however aren't match to the original, moreover the soundtrack is fair good but caught in the same premise, the outcome at New York decommissioned shipyard is too contrived, sounds a Hollywoodian presentation, shallow and useless, added some turnaround, but the highlights stays at night club dancing scenes, fresh, and boldest sexy!!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5
- elo-equipamentos
- Mar 13, 2021
- Permalink
- JasparLamarCrabb
- May 30, 2013
- Permalink
My Take: Fine Harlem-set thriller with a thrilling climax.
Richard Roundtree returns as the black foul-mouthed private eye John Shaft, reprising the role he made famous in the previous film SHAFT. Made in 1972, SHAFT'S BIG SCORE clearly shows its age as an old star vehicle. Almost everything, from clothing, quips and concept, have been outdated by today's bigger standards. Still, there's much to enjoy in Roundtree's iconic portrayal as the private eye Shaft as he gets tangled up with the mob, led by gangster Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo).
So much of the film is devoted to a lot of mob meetings and Shaft at his private eye work, and less comes the action. Up until the finale, a terrific long helicopter chase, the film is devoted to Ernest Tidyman's (THE FRENCH CONNECTION) well-written if often tedious screenplay. Long out-dated and outdone by better anti-Bond cop movies as DIRTY HARRY and THE FRENCH CONNECTION which still stood the test of time. Still, SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! is an enjoyable caper, Roundtree and the action finale delights.
Rating: *** out of 5.
Richard Roundtree returns as the black foul-mouthed private eye John Shaft, reprising the role he made famous in the previous film SHAFT. Made in 1972, SHAFT'S BIG SCORE clearly shows its age as an old star vehicle. Almost everything, from clothing, quips and concept, have been outdated by today's bigger standards. Still, there's much to enjoy in Roundtree's iconic portrayal as the private eye Shaft as he gets tangled up with the mob, led by gangster Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo).
So much of the film is devoted to a lot of mob meetings and Shaft at his private eye work, and less comes the action. Up until the finale, a terrific long helicopter chase, the film is devoted to Ernest Tidyman's (THE FRENCH CONNECTION) well-written if often tedious screenplay. Long out-dated and outdone by better anti-Bond cop movies as DIRTY HARRY and THE FRENCH CONNECTION which still stood the test of time. Still, SHAFT'S BIG SCORE! is an enjoyable caper, Roundtree and the action finale delights.
Rating: *** out of 5.
- vip_ebriega
- Jun 22, 2008
- Permalink
The 1971 film of "Shaft" helped to save "M.G.M" from facing bankruptcy, so naturally they commissioned a follow-up movie. Titled "Shafts Big Score" and released in 1972, the plot is what defeats this film. The scenes look as though they were hastily thrown together with no sense of continuity. I could hardly decipher what was happening from one scene to the next and I know I'm not alone here. The action scenes aren't bad but they can't compensate for a narrative that is very weak in its structure. For some reason which is only known to a handful of people, a further "Shaft" film was made!
- alexanderdavies-99382
- Jun 25, 2017
- Permalink
(77%) Very likely to be the most backed blaxploitation movie of them all, as the original was such a big hit both critically and financially. Most of the blaxplotation boxes are ticked here, Shaft is super cool, the music is great, some of the lines are very funny, he gets the girls, the opening is great, the bad guys are mostly white gangsters with a lone black guy letting the side down, it's all there, but what this has that all others don't is the fantastic action-packed ending. As action sequences go this is one of the best I've ever seen, it just goes on and on and I loved every second of it and it looks as if the director Mr Parks was given free control to do what ever her wanted and he really went for it. This could very likely be may favourite of the breed as along with "Black Caesar", it's a fine example of what the series was capable of when everything slotted into place so well.
- adamscastlevania2
- Oct 6, 2014
- Permalink
Richard roundtree is shaft, again, as in many of the sequels, hoping to get revenge for who-ever killed and robbed his friend asby. Since shaft is shacked up with asby's sister (rosalind miles), now he really has to get to the bottom of this. Not much said in the first twenty minutes. A silly scene where the big boss mascola (mascolo) plays clarinet while his thugs tell him that the money is gone. What they really wanted is the dead guy's territory in the numbers racket. The coppers knew about asby's operation, but he was sharing the profits, so they left him alone. Who knows what will happen now? The shooting begins! Co-stars moses gunn as bumpy jones. This one has a pretty good storyline. And the 1970s vibe. Directed by gordon parks. Wrote some of the score himself. He also directed shaft and supercops. Story by ernest tidyman..... he had won the oscar for french connection.
Gordon Parks was unable to pull off the same lackadaisical intense magic of the first. This sequel to Shaft starts off intriguing but soon loses focus and just becomes a run of the mill rock em sock em bore. Richard Roundtree is still cool as ice but wasted in this mediocrity.
- droog-56936
- Aug 22, 2019
- Permalink
This is an entertaining sequel to the legendary blaxploitation movie Shaft. The budget seems to be a bit bigger and the movie-making is a little slicker, which helps ensure that this is of a similar level to the original. It does of course lack the freshness of the first movie and it doesn't have an epic theme tune like that film either. But Richard Roundtree is great once again in the central role and Moses Gunn is once more ace as the Harlem gang boss Bumpy. The story has Shaft trying to find out who murdered one of his old buddies. So, while this doesn't have the impact of the original, it's a worthy follow up all the same.
- Red-Barracuda
- Jul 3, 2022
- Permalink
With a new Shaft movie coming next Friday, I thought I'd watch the previous ones that came before like this one-the second Shaft movie from 1972. This time, John Shaft is looking for the killer of a friend who was a partner in an insurance company. He also is sleeping with that friend's sister when he gets that friend's call before his fate. I'll stop there and just say there were nice returns from Moses Gunn and Drew Bundini Brown from the previous one in the series and Julius W. Harris was a good new police antagonist for Shaft. Unlike the previous one, the women here have more of a characterization. Unfortunately, Issac Hayes only contributes one song while the rest of the music score is by director Gordon Parks. Shaft creator Ernest Tidyman wrote this screenplay but he seems to go a bit over-the-top when this movie reaches its climax. Still, Shaft's Big Score! was a pretty entertaining sequel to its predecessor.
- chriswright1969
- Mar 22, 2019
- Permalink
- mark.waltz
- Jul 15, 2023
- Permalink
Private Investigator "John Shaft" (Richard Roundtree) is back and this time he is trying to find the murderer of his friend who was running a numbers game in Queens. As it so happens the victim's partner "Johnny Kelly" (Wally Taylor) had gambled away $250,000 and a mob boss by the name of "Gus Mascola" (Joseph Mascolo) wants it back-along with a 50% share in Johnny Kelly's numbers racket. However, Johnny Kelly has other plans and decides to double cross Mascola by getting another mob boss from Harlem named "Bumpy Jonas" (Moses Gunn) involved in the same deal. Not only does he hope for a war between the two mob bosses but he also wants John Shaft killed in the process too. Now, rather than reveal any more of the movie I will just say that this was an adequate sequel to "Shaft". While it started off pretty well it got bogged down toward the end with an extremely long chase-and-gunfight scene which I thought actually detracted from the overall effect. In any case, although it wasn't bad necessarily it still wasn't nearly as good as the original. I rate it as average.
Richard Roundtree reprises his role as John Shaft, in this very respectable sequel to one of the greatest urban crime thrillers ever. The story is actually nothing new or spectacular; it's a standard 'cops go up against the mafia' story. But the script isn't really the draw here. It's the 70's; the clothes, the cars, the music, the incomparable "coolness" that made the first film so great. This one succeeds largely because they didn't stray from the formula that made the original a success. We have the same director, the same writers, and the same actors reprising their memorable roles. Director Gordon Parks makes full use of the super-wide lens; 1970's New York City looks absolutely magnificent in the 2:35 aspect ratio, as do the action packed, and blood drenched shoot-outs, and especially in the big finale. Featuring a classic shootout in a cemetery, followed by a manic car chase on the Cross Bronx Expressway, complete with pursuit by helicopter!. There's nothing more awesome than a 70's car chase sequence , and the action here is handled superbly. In fact this is one polished, sleek production, and it's pretty obvious that it had a larger budget than the first one. Sometimes that actually hurts a sequel, when it's more flashy than it's predecessor, but this one doesn't suffer that fate. Obviously a lot of the budget went towards the action effects. Those bloody gun shot wounds were among the most realistic I have ever seen. "Shaft's Big Score" is a must-see for fans of the original, and of 70's crime films in general. John Shaft is a truly iconic movie character, and it's a pleasure to see him on screen again, kicking bad guy ass and cleaning up the streets of New York. After seeing this one I'm really looking forward to "Shaft In Africa."
Man, did this film stink! It's obvious this film helped spurn Hollywood's need to churn out tired sequels to appeal to the masses. First of all, it came out too quickly, and second of all, it just didn't have the same hipness which made the original film so successful. No new ground was broken, and it turned into a rather mundane effort.
Shaft's Big Score! (1972) is currently available on Tubi. The storyline tells the tale of our hero, Shaft, who has been hired to track down $200,000 that was recently lost after a friend of his is murdered. He just so happens to be sleeping with his deceased friend's sister whose life is now in danger. Shaft looks to obtain revenge, find the money and protect the sister. This movie is directed by Gordon Parks (Shaft) and stars Richard Roundtree (Shaft), Moses Gunn (Heartbreak Ridge), Joe Santos (The Last Boyscout) and Julius Harris (Live and Let Die). The opening song for this film is fantastic. The storyline was more intricate than the first film, and the settings, action scenes and components of this film obviously had more budget and seemed a bit bigger than the previous film. I always love the zingers in these films and I'm always disappointed by the mediocre nudity and action sequences. Overall, these are far from the best blaxploitation films but are still worth a viewing. I would score this a solid 6.5/10.
- kevin_robbins
- Jul 30, 2021
- Permalink
Hmmm....a sequel to the extremely popular "Shaft", bigger-budgeted, made just one year later...do you smell "cash in" here? Unfortunately, this is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill crime drama, redeemed only by a few good (if overlong) action sequences. Richard Roundtree still is perfect as Shaft, though (his best scene: the look he gives to a white cop while ordering "black coffee"). (**)
John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) gets entangled in his friend Cal Asby's murder. His investigation uncovers corrupt business, gambling, and the mob.
The production got more money and it shows. I think the music theme is missing. Isaac Hayes contributes one song but I can't believe that the song is gone. At least, Roundtree is back and that's no small matter. The original has an underground guerilla feel to the production. There is an edgy danger to its charm. This one is trying to be more professional. This is fine. It's an action crime drama. The jagged edge of the franchise is being smoothed off. It's not unexpected but it's lesser than the original.
The production got more money and it shows. I think the music theme is missing. Isaac Hayes contributes one song but I can't believe that the song is gone. At least, Roundtree is back and that's no small matter. The original has an underground guerilla feel to the production. There is an edgy danger to its charm. This one is trying to be more professional. This is fine. It's an action crime drama. The jagged edge of the franchise is being smoothed off. It's not unexpected but it's lesser than the original.
- SnoopyStyle
- Nov 18, 2021
- Permalink