Watch Shaft's Big Score

Shaft's Big Score is a 1972 American crime action film directed by Gordon Parks and starring Richard Roundtree as John Shaft, along with Moses Gunn and Drew Bundini Brown in supporting roles. The film is the second in the Shaft series and follows private detective John Shaft as he investigates the murder of his friend and uncovers a plot to steal $250,000 from a funeral home.

The film opens with a montage of New York City streets and the familiar theme song from the original Shaft film. We are introduced to John Shaft, who is visiting his friend Bumpy Jonas in prison. Bumpy tells Shaft that he has to find out who killed his daughter because he suspects that they are trying to set him up for her murder. Shaft agrees to investigate and quickly begins unraveling a web of lies and deceit surrounding the assassination of Bumpy’s daughter.

The plot thickens when Shaft learns that his nemesis, Gus Mascola, is the mastermind behind Bumpy’s daughter's murder. As Shaft tries to track down Mascola and his goons, he stumbles upon an even bigger plot - the plan to steal $250,000 from the funeral home run by Bumpy. The film takes an unexpected turn as Shaft sets out to stop the robbery and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Shaft's Big Score has all the elements of a classic Blaxploitation film - guns, car chases, and fistfights. Richard Roundtree delivers an excellent performance as John Shaft, with his cool and collected demeanor, he effortlessly takes down his enemies. However, the standout performance in the film comes from Moses Gunn, who plays Bumpy Jonas. Gunn brings a sense of depth and complexity to the role, making the audience feel empathy for his character’s struggles.

The film is not without its flaws, however. The plot can be convoluted at times, with various subplots competing for attention. Additionally, some of the acting can be over the top, making it difficult to take certain scenes seriously.

Despite its shortcomings, Shaft's Big Score remains a landmark film in the Blaxploitation genre. It features a predominantly African-American cast and crew, and its success paved the way for future films that would celebrate black culture and traditions. Moreover, it continues to be relevant today, serving as a testament to the struggle for racial equality in America.

In conclusion, Shaft's Big Score is an excellent continuation of the Shaft series. It features strong performances from its lead actors, thrilling action sequences, and a compelling storyline. Although it may not be perfect, it remains an important cultural artifact of its time and a must-see film for fans of Blaxploitation cinema.

Shaft's Big Score is a 1972 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.