Staff

Who's the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks?

Staff!

You damn right!

Lexington Steele takes on the role of "Staff", a spoof of the Shaft series of films that really misses the opportunity for a great porn parody. Lex may not look much like Richard Roundtree, but he does have that Samuel L. Jackson swagger about him (the more recent "Shaft") that is perfect for this role. The problem with Staff is that it appears more money has been spent on that cool box cover than on production values or even a script for this story.

Who is the man who would risk his neck for his brother man?

Staff!

Can you dig it?

The film starts out wonderfully, with a sizzling and sexy scene between Lex and his secretary, Tasha Hunter. If you are into interracial scenes (and even if you're not), you're going to love the action here, as Tasha really looks hot taking Steele's big black tool. This opening sequence climaxes with a nice facial for Tasha. Sadly, however, it's all downhill from here as the rest of the movie is simply one sex scene after another with no story and no characterization...not even for the character of "Staff".

The rest of the film is only appealing if you are a huge Vanessa Blue fan, which I have to admit, I am not. She has a decent scene with Steve Hatcher early in the film, and then an average one at the end of the movie with Lex. The rest of the movie is filmed up with a dull pairing between Sierra and Tony Eveready, and a so-so threesome between Lexi, Kyle Stone and Valentino, which I felt was a little too degrading towards the young woman (Kyle slaps her on her behind throughout, and Valentino her to lick his balls and, at one point, lick his ass).

Who's the cat who won't cop out, when there's danger all about?

Staff!

Right on!

So while Staff comes off as average in the sex department, it's biggest failure is not taking advantage of the character it is trying to spoof. Lexington doesn't have any snappy dialogue, any fights, or any of the toughness that viewers have come to associate with the mainstream Shaft character. I know from watching Lex in action in other movies that he can be one hell of a good actor when given the chance (see West Side, for a great example), but he is simply given nothing to do in Staff.

The video and audio are average on this DVD, but the extras are nicely done, offering a 26 minute behind the scenes look at the making of the movie (which, in many ways is better than the film itself), four trailers (for titles in the Baby Got Back series), star biographies, a photo gallery, chapter selection and internet access.

There's still a good spoof of Shaft waiting to be made by the adult film industry, and I hope Lexington is the one who gets the opportunity to play him. Staff is an average film, but as a take on Shaft, it's pretty much a failure.

You can see this Staff is a bad mother...

SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

But I'm talkin' 'bout Staff!

(Lyrics to Shaft Written By Issac Hayes...and butchered here by Spooky!)

Video Team's Afro-centric line delivers the best performances in the Black Genre. Vanessa Blue fans will be very happy. Sierra has always been a crowd pleaser. Lexi stays in character in her scene and gives an outstanding performance. Lexington Steele's opening scene with Tasha Hunter seemed a bit out of place, though. Tasha isn't in the same league as Vanessa, Sierra and Lexi. Audio and video are great, and the extra features are worthy of the DVD format.