Michael Jai White has been in the game for quite a while. When he’s not ripping Steven Segal during DJ Vlad interviews, the action star with martial arts expertise in Kyokushin, Taekwondo, Kobudō, Shotokan, and countless other fighting styles has been steadily making movies since the 90s: from being in Universal Soldier, the OG Spawn, and of course the cult classic: Black Dynamite as well as countless other films often showcasing his martial arts talents. However, in his latest film Oscar Shaw, he opts for a more toned-down action role (instead of kicking and punching, he’s using his gun) as a retired cop trying to “get to the bottom” of his friend’s murder and get justice by any means necessary.
Oscar (Michael Jai White) is a retired police officer. Through “reasons,” he was forced into retirement. The aftermath forced him to be a recluse and ended his marriage, he spends his time meditating, going to his local cigar bar to drink beer, play ping pong, and hanging with his former partner Ray (Tyrese Gibson) who was also forced into retirement. No matter where he goes, he puts on a fine pressed suit because of his mindset of looking his best no matter what, and is trying to maintain some inner peace.
However, the city that he once served (the city is never named in Oscar Shaw) is not getting better. A new gang The Parkside Killers have taken over the neighborhood. In the opening scene, they go to collect “protection” money a local business and end up killing the owner and taking his daughter into forced prostitution. Ray even expresses to Oscar that he’s “afraid” for the city, especially from gang leader Tron (Andrew C. English Jr.). Late one night Ray is coming home when he unfortunately meets some of the gang members, some of who he knew since they were “babies” he helped raise during a home invasion and meets his unfortunate end.
This sets Oscar in motion to get revenge, and he proceeds to go on a rampage across the city to dismantle the gang, and find out why his friend was murdered, because they sure didn’t rob him for any money. Hindered a little bit by Detectives Nina (Cecile Cubilo) and Chuck (Rich Paul) who are also investigating Ray’s murder in concert with Oscar. During his investigation, Oscar meets Andre (Jabari Striblin), a local teen in the neighborhood who is dealing with a broken home, and their bond helps center Oscar as he goes on his quest for rampage and revenge. Of course, in Oscar Shaw, things aren’t always as they seem, and the true bad guy isn’t really the big bad gang, which allows Oscar to unravel a conspiracy that’s even related to his firing.
Oscar Shaw follows the usual beats of your standard action revenge film. Unfortunately, we as the audience know that Michael Jai White is a beast when it comes to martial arts, but the tone of the film doesn’t allow him to really show off the fighting skills we are all familiar with at this point. Instead, we get a John Wick style shoot ‘em up film where Michael Jai White spends the movie exchanging gunfire with local gangs. When Oscar Shaw comes to its abrupt end, it’s a bit of a let down as it’s fairly predictable, and the final scene of the film feels a bit off. However, Michael Jai White does what he can with the film’s script, but unfortunately, it’s not enough to bring the film to a satisfying conclusion.
Oscar Shaw is now playing On Demand and in theaters.
