Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided us with a free copy of this Blu-ray/DVD that we reviewed in this blog post. The opinions we share are our own.
After a decade, Shaft brings us back to the much loved 70’s franchise. The overall feel of the new Shaft reboot is typical of what you would expect from this movie. It’s a crude cop-turned-private-eye ladies man action flick. It’s entertaining to watch, yet not the best film has to offer. Though the trope had long been over-used Samuel L. Jackson does provides what he does best: a badass and crass comedic character.
The story follows John Shaft Jr (Jessie T. User) or JJ, an honest FBI analyst trying to find out what the truth behind his best friend death. After being abandoned by his father, JJ sets out to get his father’s help. By roping his estranger father, John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson), into helping JJ gets to finally get to know who his father really is. Being raised by his mother, JJ is nothing like his father who immediately points out how different they are. It’s a rocky start for both father and son as they try to navigate investigating with their different views and morals. In the end, the both catch the killers, take down a gang leader and get the girl all while embracing each other’s differences. We eventually see Shaft Jr finally get to know who his father really is and eventually follow in his footsteps. The dynamic of the father and son conveys the topic of the generational divide in modern times. JJ is the model of an intelligent passive millennial while Shaft is a raw and violent old school OG. The interactions between the two and the rest of the characters give off an old sitcom vibe that isn’t the worst.
What this movie brings to the table is a father-son duo you didn’t know you needed in your life. While the relationship between Shaft and Shaft Jr isn’t the best, to begin with, due to a stereotypical toxic masculinity trope, the comedy is there. Samuel L. Jackson brings to the table a crude yet suave and funny character that conflicts with his son. The shaft is a tough and snarky ladies man while his son is the typical smart and savvy millennial. The conversations and actions between the two often end up leaving you chuckling at their antics together. JJ is the embodiment of the young millennial that tries to get along with his old school minded parent. In the end, JJ somehow always ends up in particularly funny situations while his father stays cool and badass the whole time.
Apart from some unnecessary nudity and crass remarks, the only real issue with Shaft is the masculinity trope typical associated with these types of films. The whole time Shaft continues to point out how soft and weak his son is. In the beginning, JJ is the total opposite of Shaft from his morals to how he even dresses. Throughout the film Shaft tries to “toughen” up his son and show him how to be more Harlem. By the end, JJ changed into the typical hero character more like his father. While it’s not a be deal-breaker it is the one thing that brings down the film. The idea that you have to like guns/action, act tough, talk aggressively, and be a smooth ladies man isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be yet many films keep portraying this type of hero.
All in all, Shaft is an entertaining movie that you could easily watch again without much thought. It isn’t the best of the Shaft franchise, but it held its own. If you like Samuel L. Jackson’s typical badass movie characters then this one would be worth watching as he does a good job portraying Shaft. Overall its a good movie with a few kinks that you can overlook if you really try.
Video:
Shaft is presented in 1080p High Definition. The clarity of the film is terrific and easily brings more dimension to the film. The fight sequences (though few) are great and right at home with the gritty streets, the story takes place in.
Audio:
The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos which both a surprise and bonus to the film. The track is typical of the 70’s vibe we love associated with films like this. Smooth and soulful R&B along with a funky twist delivers the right atmosphere to Shaft.
Special Features:
Extras can be found in the Blu-ray disc and include:
• Can Ya Dig It? The Making of Shaft
• A Complicated Man: The Shaft Legacy – Part One: A Bad Mother Born
• A Complicated Man: The Shaft Legacy – Part Two: No Questions Asked
• A Complicated Man: The Shaft Legacy – Part Three: A Legend of His Time
• Deleted Scenes
• Gag Reel
