Review of Shaft

I prepared for this film by watching the 1971 original with Richard Roundtree in the title role. A couple generations later, Roundtree is back as the father of Samuel L. Jackson's character, and grandfather of JJ Shaft (Jessie T. Usher), who's been effectively estranged from dear old Dad for about twenty five years. I found it somewhat ironic that JJ became a data analyst for the FBI, what with his father wreaking havoc on city streets as a one man hit squad going after drug dealers and other assorted bad guys. I defy anyone to walk brazenly through city traffic or try to get away with some of the aggravated assaults that John Shaft routinely dishes out, but hey, it's a movie and any connection to real life is strictly unintentional. Still, there's plenty enough action and humor to keep most fans entertained, with that familiar Shaft theme song originally written and recorded by Isaac Hayes popping up every now and then. Jackson and Roundtree were obvious choices for their roles in the flick. As the new kid on the block, Jessie T. Usher seemed a bit out of his league with the street wise hustlers who bore his family name, so his capoeira skills and gunfighting prowess seemed to come out of left field. One would think he'd be a bit more fazed by all the violence that followed his Dad. The story's finale suggests a sequel, with Junior turning in his FBI badge and making nice with his new girlfriend (Alexandra Shipp). No telling what trouble all three Shafts could get into next time.