This is a movie about an elevator with murderous intentions. If I've lost you then read no further, because there is no point. You may ask “How can you possibly recommend a cheesy movie about a killer elevator?” To which I will respond “I don't know. Is it a good cheesy movie about a killer elevator?” The answer in this particular instance is: absolutely.

And what do you expect? Do you want to be scared? Are you expecting this to carry any real weight? It's a silly movie, and there are some violent deaths, and that should be good enough for you. A betrayal would be something that cut away from its violence or refused to recognize that it was playing with something ridiculous. The Shaft knows what it is from the onset, and never looks back. Seeing as though I'm not insulted by its concept, that's a good flick in my books.

And really, that's not all. There seems to be a nice budget for Dutch director Dick Maas, and he uses it hire an exceptional cast and give his film a look that is reminiscent of the horror films of the late eighties and early nineties. Think Leprechaun or Carnosaur. I like that feel, as there is something dirty about it. Perhaps it's because I grew up on horror flicks like that, so it will always hold a certain kind of rebellious feel, as though I should feel guilty for watching movies like this. I sure hope my Mom doesn't find out. This is NOT a “kid's movie.”

The cast, headed by Naomi Watts is fun to watch. Watts plays a reporter for a tabloid-style newspaper in town, and she will do anything for a story. She's that audacious, rule-breaking type that the film needs to keep it driving forward. James Marshall is a good compliment to that as the two actors get along swimmingly on screen. Then you have smaller parts for Michael Ironside, Dan Hedaya, and Ron Perlman who are always good to watch, especially when they are allowed to be loose and have a good time.

So I don't know. Either you dig on this kind of thing or you don't, I guess. It could have easily disappointed me with slow pacing, or PG-13 violence, or even if it had taken itself too seriously. The Shaft avoids every single one of these potential damning qualities, and throws in a solid cast and familiar feel to boot. I had a good time. Some people think that film critics are too hard on the movies they watch; demand too much from them. I don't ask for anything more than this.