Shaft

Name: Shaft
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Released: June 14, 2019
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 40
Cast: Alexandra Shipp, Athena Akers, Avan Jogia, Isaach De Bankolé, Jessica Dawson Strong

2019

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 120 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 120 Ratings

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Shaft

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: June 14, 2019 | R

Starring: Alexandra Shipp, Athena Akers, Avan Jogia, Isaach De Bankolé, Jessica Dawson Strong, Jessica Medina, Jessie Usher, José Alfredo Fernandez, Lauren Vélez, Matt Lauria, Method Man, Regina Hall, Richard Roundtree, Robbie Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Sylvia Jefferies, Titus Welliver

Summary: JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Jessie T. Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s 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 navigateJJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Jessie T. Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s 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. 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.… Expand

Director: Tim Story

Genre(s): Action, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 111 min

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli

Jun 13, 2019

No one steals scenes from Samuel L. Jackson when he’s in this mode. His entire modus operandi is to be the biggest, baddest motherf... (watch your mouth!) on the planet. Nevertheless, Regina Hall gives him a run for his money – something she does with a lot less screen time. Read full review

Kristen Page-Kirby

Jun 12, 2019

Shaft is also funny, with a sharp, fast-paced humor (though one transphobic joke is a tone-deaf clunker). And it’s always enjoyable to watch Jackson walking around while dropping f-bombs (and mother-f-bombs) all over the place. Read full review

Candice Frederick

Jun 12, 2019

Though there is a comforting nostalgia from seeing the Shaft men stick it to the man while simultaneously holding on to their old-school alpha-male swagger, Junior’s presence adds a much needed reproach — and smartly comedic element — that ultimately doesn’t blame them but instead makes them take a hard look at the error of their ways in the face of justice. Read full review

Lindsey Bahr

Jun 12, 2019

How jokes this offensive can make it to the screen in 2019 is beyond comprehension and a bit of a shame, considering that this has so much else going for it including a delightful late-game appearance by the original Shaft, Richard Roundtree, who looks fantastic, by the way. Read full review

Mike Vanderbilt

Jun 12, 2019

While that can be entertaining at times, Shaft mostly reads as an oddly sexless, convoluted, and downright dull continuation. It’s as if the creators are afraid to take the character seriously in an age of ironic detachment. It’s a missed opportunity, particularly at the chance to comment on how being a “complicated man” has evolved since 1971, and how the world has never simply been black and white. Oh, well. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Jun 12, 2019

The plotting is so leaden and the fire fights so pro forma that not even the sight of the three Shafts in action can keep this film from sinking under its own weight. Yes, the great Isaac Hayes music makes an appearance, but the old days are gone and they are not coming back. Read full review

David Edelstein

Jun 15, 2019

It’s so aggressively puerile and phallocentric (big swinging dicks, big guns) it could be taken as a parody of a puerile, phallocentric action comedy — a hotfoot to feminists and girly-men. That’s a distinction without a difference, though, since either way it stinks to heaven. Read full review

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User Reviews

LonzoGOAT

Jun 15, 2019

Fantastic. Loved the father-son aspect, perfect for Father's Day. Hilarious movie. Better then what critics say.

10 of 14 users found this helpful104

Lullult50

Jun 24, 2019

Just going to start this off by saying: It’s OKAY TO BE POLITICALLY INCORRECT when done in good taste and with a purpose. I felt shaft was a Great movie! You can tell a lot of thought was put into the lines and dialogue between Samuel Jackson and Shaft Jr. You will be laughing the entireJust going to start this off by saying: It’s OKAY TO BE POLITICALLY INCORRECT when done in good taste and with a purpose. I felt shaft was a Great movie! You can tell a lot of thought was put into the lines and dialogue between Samuel Jackson and Shaft Jr. You will be laughing the entire time while also deeply invested in the story. Do yourself a favor and ignore the critic and go see this with your friends this weekend. You'll all be in for a treat… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

Moddycritic

Jul 8, 2019

Complaints of it not being "woke" or being racist or homophobic are some of the most asinine comments one could make. This is shaft bad a** m********kers being tough popping caps taking names and sweet talking ladies is the game. It is childish dated black action stereotypes turned to 11 butComplaints of it not being "woke" or being racist or homophobic are some of the most asinine comments one could make. This is shaft bad a** m********kers being tough popping caps taking names and sweet talking ladies is the game. It is childish dated black action stereotypes turned to 11 but the writing is solid the cast is excellent and it is clearly self aware. If this film hurts your sensitive soul you best stick to Disney.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

MrBiff

Jul 1, 2019

The movie isn't anything unique and the story it's self isn't either, but it is still gripping and worth a watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Jun 28, 2019

Richard Rountree created the role in the titular 1971 blaxploitation classic (directed by Gordon Parks). Samuel L. Jackson revisited the role in 2000 (with the late John Singleton at the helm). In this version, Jessie T. Usher plays the 3rd generation badass private detective. Actually, heRichard Rountree created the role in the titular 1971 blaxploitation classic (directed by Gordon Parks). Samuel L. Jackson revisited the role in 2000 (with the late John Singleton at the helm). In this version, Jessie T. Usher plays the 3rd generation badass private detective. Actually, he starts as a whitebread FBI analyst who's had no contact with his dad until the extremely predictable plot gets underway. That's when the fun begins. Although there are a few shootouts, this is more a relationship comedy than an action film. It allows Jackson to showcase his comic chops with sassy street talk and dead-on timing. Anyone expecting the hard-edged approach of the original may be disappointed, but audiences who want to enjoy Jackson at the top of his game will have a good time (the other 2 have a few moments too).… Expand

7 of 9 users found this helpful72

tropicAces

Jun 27, 2019

Samuel L Jackson gives this thing way more effort than it deserves, but his fun attitude rubs off. The action is cut together like a bland PG-13 Tim Story film, but the (somewhat gutsy for 2019?) jokes and performances carry it. My audience had a ball.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVW

Sep 24, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. pervert. Movie was not our regular shaft. Samuel l j was rude and disrespectful to women. Give this movie another name it's not shaft.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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