Shaft (2019) is a belated sequel and reboot of Shaft (2000) that starred Samuel L Jackson as the nephew of the original John Shaft (Richard Roundtree.)

The new film has Jackson's John Shaft encountering his long lost son JJ (Jessie T Usher) who is now a cyber security nerd working for the FBI.

When JJ's best friend Karim a former army veteran and drug addict dies of an overdose. JJ seeks out his dad's help who he was apart from because his mother thought life would be too dangerous if John Shaft was around.

Karim might had been involved in a mosque with a radical cleric that the FBI are interested in. Karim was also involved in an army veterans assistance program called 'Brothers Watching Brothers.'

John Shaft is appalled with his straightlaced son who is polite and politically correct. He also dislikes guns. JJ is a naive when it comes to ghetto life although he knows some Brazilian martial arts.

It is up to John Shaft to kick down some doors and breaks some bones to find answers. John Shaft also has an ulterior motive to help out his son. When the going gets tough, the original Shaft brings in the firepower.

Shaft (1971) was a tough, hard nosed blaxploitation action film. Richard Roundtree has now played the character for 48 years. Here he has now gone from being Jackson's uncle to his dad.

Director Tim Story has gone for a more comedy slant in this version. It is a comedy of generational contrasts between Jackson and Usher's characters. It is sporadically funny in its rude crude way. Roundtree steals the show when he turns up. He would rather shaft than share the limelight.

The main plot though is so plain and uninteresting. Also it is surprising how someone guileless like JJ ever got into the FBI.