Read Ashley's review of Shaft.
JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ’s youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft (Jackson) agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem’s heroin-infested underbelly. And while JJ’s own FBI analyst’s badge may clash with his dad’s trademark leather duster, there’s no denying family. Besides, Shaft’s got an agenda of his own, and a score to settle that’s professional and personal.
Shaft is in theaters on June 14th, 2019.
Shaft is the latest movie of its name starring John Shaft Jr. (Jessie T. Usher), a cyber security specialist for the FBI. After the death of his best friend he asks his dad John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson) for help and they embark on a case that has their personalities clashing while also showing how versatile the family name is. Can this film keep the same energy of the previous Shaft movies?
The tag line of this movie being “More Shaft than you can handle” seemed like audacious fun and it did not disappoint. Having John Shaft Jr. aka JJ be the complete opposite of his smooth, risk-taking father and grandfather was a great choice. Their contrasting personas allowed for more laughs than I expected. Adding Regina Hall to the family as JJ’s mom was even more great casting as she delivered just as many laugh worthy moments as the Shafts did.
The plot was entertaining and allowed for both comedy and action to be intertwined in a way that did not lose its energy in either department. It is rare for a movie to pull both equally along during an entire movie and achieved it with ease. It also mixed old school action with a new school flair which made for a great setup for undivided attention to the screen.
Shaft is a fun action film to watch for not only Father’s Day weekend but again and again. Shaft is the action icon that shows it is possible to transcend into an entirely new generation and be one of the baddest *shut your mouth* families to deliver a butt kicking.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Ashley (Contributing Editor) is an Orlando native who loves watching movies. Her favorite genres include comedies, thrillers and sci-fi.Click Here to check out Ashley's Articles.