Shaft [Blu-ray]

Director: Tim Story Tim Story

Overview

Based on the character John Shaft from Ernest Tidyman's novel of the same name, comes the newest installment in the Shaft franchise. John Shaft Jr. (Jessie. T. Usher) is a cyber security hotshot working for the FBI, but after the sudden death of his best friend and in search of answers, he turns to his father, John Shaft II (Samuel L. Jackson), to help him navigate the dangerous and drug-fueled Harlem. Though their styles differ, both have an agenda of retribution in this action comedy film, directed by Tim Story.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/24/2019
UPC:	0883929668731
Original Release:	2019
Rating:	R
Source:	New Line Home Video
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:51:00
Sales rank:	19,058

Special Features

Can Ya Dig It? The Making of Shaft; A Complicated Man: The Shaft Legacy - Part One: A Bad Mother Born, Part Two: No Questions Asked, Part Three: A Legend in His Time; Deleted Scene; Gag Reel

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Samuel L. Jackson	John Shaft II
Jessie T. Usher	Actor
Regina Hall	Actor,Actor
Alexandra Shipp	Actor
Matt Lauria	Actor
Titus Welliver	Actor
Method Man	Actor
Richard Roundtree	Actor
Isaach de Bankolé	Actor
Avan Jogia	Actor
Robbie Jones	Actor,Ron
Aaron Dominguez	Actor
Ian Casselberry	Actor
Almeera Jiwa	Actor
Amato D'Apolito	Actor
Sylvia Jefferies	Actor
Whit Coleman	Actor
Chivonne Michelle	Actor
Tashiana Washington	Actor
Philip Fornah	Actor
Laticia Rolle	Actor
Ryan King Scales	Actor
Tywayne Wheatt	Actor
Kenneth Barr	Actor
Mike Dunston	Actor
Jordan Carter	Actor
Joey Mekyten	Actor
Sawyer Schultz	Actor
Esmeree Sterling	Actor
Jose Miguel Vasquez	Actor
Gabriel G-Rod Rodriguez	Actor
Keith Brooks	Actor
DominiQue Williams	Beautiful Woman
Dominique MrsGIJane Williams	Actor
Michael Shikany	Actor
Lucia Scarano	Actor
Greta Quispe	Actor
Heather Seiffert	Actor
Charles Green	Actor
Dorothi Fox	Actor
Adrienne C. Moore	Actor
Shakur Sozahdah	Actor
Luna Velez	Bennie Rodriguez
Christopher Lennertz	Composer
Lauren Vélez	Actor

Technical Credits

Alex Barnow

Kenya Barris

Tim Story	Director,Executive Producer
Alex Barnow	Producer,Screenwriter
Kenya Barris	Screenwriter,Executive Producer
Ira Napoliello	Executive Producer
Marc S. Fischer	Executive Producer
Josh Mack	Executive Producer
Richard Brener	Executive Producer
Benjamin Cook	Sound/Sound Designer
Tom Stevenson	Special Effects
Victoria Thomas	Casting
Steven T. Ritzi	Stunts
Russell Tyrrell	Special Effects Supervisor

Editorial Reviews

Three generations of Shaft are represented in this pseudo-sequel directed by Tim Story (Barbershop), from a script by Kenya Barris (Black-ish) and Alex Barnow (The Goldbergs). The entertainment value of this film is surprisingly good, although it will likely bother some audiences due to certain audacious "old school" views expressed by some of the characters. John Shaft's (Samuel L. Jackson) estranged son JJ (Jesse T. Usher) has not followed in the family's footsteps. Instead of pursuing private investigation, he has graduated from MIT with a degree in cybersecurity. But the untimely death of his best friend draws him into his father's world, putting two, and then three John Shafts on the trail in Harlem, seeking to right related injustices, both past and present. Barris and Barnow clearly knew what they wanted in their script, combining the grittiness of the original films with some solid action-comedy. Their story -- although thin in some places when it comes to characters, plot, and repercussions for wonton destruction -- weaves a fun, action-packed adventure in the vein of the originals. Some of the best moments are when old school clashes with the modern, sometimes winning and sometimes losing, but always entertaining. Some of the language and themes are outrageously dated, but they aren't unexpected either, given the generation of Jackson's character. Tim Story took this script and ran with it, creating portrayals that match their characters perfectly. The eldest Shaft has seen it all before, the middle one exudes self-confident swagger, and the youngest is torn between the world he knows and the one he has just discovered. In a combination of excellent acting and direction, everything works harmoniously. The acting is mostly perfect for the roles. Richard Roundtree proves he still has it going on, and Usher continues to impress with each role. The evolution of the latter's character is well done but hurried for the sake of the story. Jackson is his usual foul-mouthed, hard-hitting self, at times going as far to resemble his character Jules from Pulp Fiction. His portrayal of John Shaft is so much fun, though, that this is easily forgivable. Rounding out the principals are their lovely ladies: middle Shaft's angry ex, Maya, flawlessly played by Regina Hall, and JJ's potential partner, Sasha, brought to life by up-and-coming Alexandra Shipp. The rest of the cast is inconsequential, even the villains, dancing to the fantastic music of the Family Shaft. In step with the cinematography, the blend of old and new music keeps the pace of the film flowing non-stop. Rhythm and Blues, Rap, Funk, and Easy Listening complement the action like an old lover coming around again. This third incarnation of the classic title had so much potential, and the story genuinely delivers. While it won't win any awards for addressing social injustice or inequality, it is certainly entertaining in the vein of both action flicks, and the originals -- exactly what you expect when you're talkin' about Shaft.