Shaft in Africa (1973)

This movie is such a lot of fun. It's too bad that it was a box office bomb and there were no more parts of the franchise until the remakes, but I can also see why. One of the lines of the movie sorta sums it up, as Shaft says he's no James Bond, but Sam Spade. This movie sorta pushes Shaft in unfamiliar territory, out of the urban scenario and in international crimefighting in exotic locations. But does it with a very unique style, and plenty of edgy silliness.

There are many things to love about this movie and that distinctly surprised me. In fact I am sure that this movie got BETTER with age and we can enjoy it much better now, some 35 years after it was made. I have plenty reasons to say that! Some, the majority, I am going to list in a facetious way: Shaft applies a mean RNC better than most UFC stars, and Shaft did a John Wick rage vendetta 40 years early! Shaft also battles the Mafia (come on, the villain is called Amafi, it's just a one letter scramble!), but it's French based and with Sardinian assassins instead of the usual Sicilians. That's totally new! I love how this movie can be so original!
But jokes aside, the theme at its core that makes me say this movie aged well, dealing with exploitation of the dreams of many young people from poor areas of the world, by true criminal cartels, is absolutely fresh and relevant in every bit. In fact one of the dominant themes in the public discourse.

It's one of my favourite action movies, and I am trying not to rank it impossibly high. It is a movie quite poorly shot and with more misses than hits in the writing department when it comes to pure quips. The direction is far from great and it has all the "so bad it's good" cliches. At the same time, it features a plethora of interesting minor characters and pretty nice performances, locations and looks. The highlights of the supporting cast have to be Neda Arneric as the sex kitten Jazar (rather annoying as she is, the edgy humor and her natural beautiful looks end up being memorable and tickle the palate of the modern audience) and Jacques Herlin in the very small role of the well dressed, suave French man who so kindly lets the boys stay for half their stipend in crowded crusty rooms and procures them their daily jobs. Very well written and a great performance.

Sammo ★