Directed by:
Tim StoryScreenplay:
Kenya BarrisCinematography:
Larry BlanfordComposer:
Christopher LennertzCast:
Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher, Richard Roundtree, Regina Hall, Alexandra Shipp, Matt Lauria, Titus Welliver, Method Man, Isaach De Bankolé, Avan Jogia (more)VOD (5)
Plots(1)
Shaft is the newest chapter in the film franchise featuring the coolest private eye on any New York City block. He may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, JJ - aka John Shaft Jr. - will need an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ’s youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft 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 coat, there’s no denying family. Besides, Shaft’s got an agenda of his own, and a score to settle that’s professional and personal. (Warner Bros. US)
(more)Reviews (5)
I’ve never considered the tough guy Shaft particularly cool. But the black guys in America seem to love him. Samuel L. Jackson is a decent choice for this role, so I get that a sequel came out this year. But it’s similar to when Bruce Willis was lecturing his son in the fifth instalment of Die Hard – more embarrassing than fun. And it’s the same here. Decent action, good 1970s-like music, and I don’t mind the African-American approach to humor. But the son? He’d deserve some proper smacking.
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On the whole an entertaining romp with more wisecracks than action, but Samuel L. Jackson steals all the scenes for himself and once again entertains. Story-wise it doesn't bring anything new, but thanks to the fast pace and plenty of wisecracks you won't get bored. 65%
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Surprisingly a bit funnier and with a more distinctive style than the first one, which was a half action, half crime comedy with no specific flavour, but with a new, fresh nigga. The second film is fresh, chatty and, of course, a traditional Hollywood cliché, but at the same time relatively apt and with a modern, uncluttered plot that playfully oscillates between family etudes and classic detective business. Samuel L. Jackson is still that snappy badass madafaka and he drops one-liners like on a treadmill. It's not for cinema, but on Netflix it's quite enjoyable, and with good speakers, many will appreciate the well mixed music in the course of the film.
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The previous film was a bit like Dirty Harry, this one is more like (the third or fourth) Lethal Weapon. Very, very, very comedic and with good action scenes. Shaft's relationship with his son is much like Indiana Jones in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, except that Shaft is not Indy, of course, and so his practices and fatherly advice are a bit more, shall we say, motherfuckerish. The film has swing and looks good, and despite the somewhat hackneyed story, I wasn't bored. But the eldest of the Shaft family could have easily been brought into the plot earlier, it would have been even more fun.
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I welcomed the sequel to this 2000 classic with enthusiasm. Samuel L. Jackson's return was pleasing, and the presence of the original Shaft and the oldest member of this interesting family, Richard Roundtree, in the trailer was a good teaser. I admit, I expected something more than spending most of the time listening to one childish vulgarity after another. I’m used to Jackson’s foul language, but as the saying goes, "too much of a good thing is still too much." Setting aside this attempt at humor, I would be unfair to the film if I claimed that there aren’t any genuinely funny moments here. There are some, but unfortunately, the really good ones that make you laugh heartily can be counted on one hand. As for the plot, everything is predictable within a few minutes, but who was expecting a complex storyline, right? I did enjoy the slow-motion shootout in the club and the final showdown with the main villains, which involved the entire Shaft family trio. It’s a bit disappointing that Richard Roundtree appeared on screen for only the last fifteen minutes. Mainly because of him, the film came alive, and his presence acted like a breath of fresh air. I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it, but its potential was greater. The original film remains unmatched. We’ll see if we meet the Shaft family for a third time. I give it 61%.
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