Review of Shaft (2019) by Davrosdaleks1 — 15 Jun 2019

This is one of those films that are becoming more common now-a-days that attempts to be both a sequel and reboot. It kind of fits into the continuity of the 2000 Shaft film while making the shift from an action film to a full comedy. This movie didn't really work for me.

There are a few funny lines, mostly the ones that made the trailer, but most of the jokes don't land. Shaft and his son's constant sparring because of their generational differences is basically shoved down the audience's throats. Though Samuel L. Jackson and Usher do a good job of playing the two leads as they were meant to, they can't elevate the material. The character of Shaft's ex-wife (Regina Hall) also seems to have some very poorly written dialogue.

The whole plot is fairly predictable. The main villain is so paper thin that he might as well be a prop.

I did think that both the opening intro to Shaft Jr. and his motivations for becoming involved in the plot's criminal investigation are well-handled. Also, the film does look nice.

Overall, I guess that the movie's greatest flaw to me is that it is just too obvious. I had trouble having fun because the movie was too aggressive in insisting that I do.