Shaft

Franchises are truly a staple film source for many Hollywood films, especially now more than ever. It's a quick way for film companies to cash in on a source that has already been created. Make them, market them and viola! instant hit...hopefully. "Shaft is a film that has been around since 1971 and has spawned many installments: "Shaft" '71, '73, 2000 and others. So now we have another in the offing called, you guessed it, "Shaft".

 

Shaft is the next chapter in the film franchise featuring the coolest private eye on any New York City block. JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Jessie T. Usher), may be an FBI cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend, Karim's (Avan Jogia) untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ's youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson) agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem's heroin-infested underbelly lead up by drug lord Gordito Carrera (Isaach De Bankole). And while JJ's own FBI analyst badge may clash with his dad's trademark leather coat with his old-school style, there's no denying family, especially when John Shaft Sr. (Richard Roundtree) comes to the aid of his son and grandson. Besides, Shaft's got an agenda of his own, and a score to settle that's professional and personal.

 

Others to round out the cast are Regina Hall as Maya Babanikos, Shaft's ex-wife and JJ's mom, Alexandra Shipp as Sasha Arias, Matt Lauria as Maj. Gary 'Cutty' Cutworth, Titus Welliver as Special Agent Vietti, JJ's boss, Cliff 'Method Man' Smith as Freddy P. and Luna Lauren Velez as Bennie Rodriguez.

 

This was intensely as it was wittily directed by Tim Story ("Barbershop" '02, "Taxi" '04, "Fantastic Four" '05, "Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer" '07, "Think Like a Man" '12, "Ride Along" '14, "Think Like a Man Too" '14, "Ride Along 2" '16, "What Goes Around Comes Around" (TV movie) '16) plus other films, TV and documentaries. Unlike some other directors, this filmmaker isn't afraid to helm most any type of film: comedy, big-budget, smaller film and documentaries. Anyone that can pull this off gains a tremendous amount of respect in my book. The characters came alive in this incarnation of this franchise mostly due to Story's direction--his actors' emitted the correct emotions at just the right time. He has more projects in the works at this time. It was cleverly written by Kenya Barris ("The Start Up" (TV movie) '13, "Barbershop: The Next Cut" '16, "Girls Trip" '17, "Libby and Malcolm" (TV movie) '17) plus TV and Alex Barnow (TV), based on the character John Shaft from the novel by Ernest Tidyman. This is probably one of the most effective installments of the franchise I have seen. The fact that both of these writers--Barris having the lion's share of experience, have a ton of TV experience has only served them in the writing of this. It was slickly written with a tight, cohesive script, and providing three generation Shafts was a brilliant approach which gave it that more of a humorous side, storyline wise. Other than a couple of small inconsistencies, this screenplay was spot on. And as far as using Roundtree (the original Shaft), it was a stroke of genius. As with the director, these writers have others projects in the works as well. I went to go see this film with great trepidation, and I left the multiplex totally blown away.

 

This film has it all: action, humor, adventure, intensity, and all intertwined well so it gives its audience a sure-fire, adrenaline ridden storyline. This film is the reason why we go to the theater in the summer. Grab the popcorn and have fun!

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                   Rated: R                                        111mins.