Shaft movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Shaft (2019) (DVD)

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C

IN A NUTSHELL:

I readily admit that I am not the target audience for this film. I never watched the original TV show growing up in white suburbia, so I had no expectations or fan wish list. This is the sequel to the 2000 Shaft so if you liked that one, you’ll probably enjoy this one too. It’s a bit confusing because there is a Netflix/Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema and an original MGM version that use the name of Shaft differently. In the Shaft (2000) by Warner Bros. version, Richard Roundtree plays John Shaft, the uncle, but in this one, he plays John Shaft, the father. They make reference to it in this movie to have it make sense, if that works for you. “Blaxpoitation” is a word that keeps getting tossed around by critics and audiences about this film. What do YOU think?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This s NOT appropriate for children.
TONS of profanity and F-bombs. None of the characters are capable of speaking without using profanity. Seriously. Even a little kid has a potty mouth.
Inappropriate and crude discussions
Lots of violence, weapons, torture
Some dramatic and brutal death scenes
Drugs, alcohol, and prostitution
A woman’s jacket doesn’t exactly cover her up so you see everything
Racist language, including the “N” word
Talk of homosexuality
Talk of terrorism and Islam

THEMES:

The importance of family

THINGS I LIKED:

Samuel L. Jackson looks great. He basically plays the same character in every movie he does, but this role as Shaft is perfect for him. I love the anti-aging technology that allows actors in movies to look 30 years younger.
Jessie T. Usher is adorable. He was a bit stiff at times, especially when he tries to act nervous and shy, but he has a great future on the Big Screen.
Alexandra Shipp is lovely.
Richard Roundtree was a fun addition to the story.
Have you seen Titus Welliver in BOSCH? Season 5 Official Trailer He’s not in this movie for very long, but it’s fun to see him.
If you’re not familiar with the Shaft character, the first 7 minutes give you a quick overview of the timeline as it relates to this sequel.
Some humor.
It sure would be nice to have all that FBI access at my fingertips.
Cute ending
You don’t need to have seen the Shaft 2000 movie to understand anything in this movie.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some of the dialogue feels stiff and cheesy.
Shaft makes fun of everything decent in the world.
Richard Roundtree was cast as Samuel L. Jackson’s father, yet he’s only 6 years older in real life.
The action wasn’t fresh or anything we haven’t already seen a thousand times.

FUNNY LINES: