This film totally met my expectations based on the trailer! And that’s not a positive thing!

😐 It moved just like every other detective-buddy comedy, but was seasoned with antiquated, misogynistic, Islamophobic, homophobic, archaic jokes. To clarify, the old jokes were a plot point—the aim was to explore the differences between the generations of the Shaft men. My issue with the screenplay was that it felt like it was written in 2003, and updated in 2017/18/19.

😑 Also, the editing was too hopscotch-y for me. Actually, no…it was like a pinball machine. For example, the clock on drunk, small Shaft’s iPhone read after midnight while the clock positioned on his wall read after 4.

😔 I really only saw two or three examples of the essence of Blaxploitation featured in this film—the third (!!) installment of the “Shaft” franchise. I just yearned for it to be something more than a mediocre comedy. 😕😕 And I fear this film would cheapen the original film’s legacy. Le sigh. (Too harsh? Nah…it’s my opinion.)

😬 I thoroughly did not enjoy this film, but I think Regina Hall helped me through it. And Jessie T. Usher (J.J. Shaft) was cool too. He did a good job portraying the Carlton Banks-esque son of Shaft. And he was cute… and talented. I’d like to see him in other roles. 😄

😒 The screenplay was too predictable. The “good guys are actually villains” schtick, and the “insert the obvious ‘Imma say I’m not gonna make a certain move, but then make the move’” gag was 🤢 🤢 🤢. Trope-tastic!

✊🏿 So glad Richard Roundtree made a cameo though. They needed him for the marketing. He saved this from being a total, complete dud.