Too gritty, violent and downbeat for tykes, it's also a bit juvenile and fairy tale-like for teens and older auds.
Comment
03/26/09
Kazaam (1996)
4
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:24
Fresh:1
Rotten:23
Average Rating:2.5/10
Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: When young Max bumps into an abandoned boom box, he's understandably shocked when it releases an extremely tall, Black genie named Kazaam, who grants the kid three wishes. At first, Max doesn't... [More]
Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Francis Capra, Ally Walker, James Acheson
Director: Paul Michael Glaser
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Reviews for Kazaam
Top CriticNo review available.
05/08/08
No review available.
01/14/05
Prime MST3K material, ripe for the ripping.
12/28/04
No review available.
08/04/03
As fairy tale, buddy comedy, family drama, thriller or rap revue, Kazaam is simply uninspired and unconvincing, and Mr. O'Neal, who can carry a basketball team, lacks the charisma to rescue this misguided effort.
05/20/03
Top CriticNo review available.
07/30/02
No review available.
07/28/02
The visual trickery might delight children, but Kazaam will leave even them wishing for more of the genie's playful trickery to make up for lackluster comedy in the story.
06/05/02
The movie's producers could use a genie of their own. Surely, if granted three wishes, they could have produced a better film.
01/22/02
Top CriticThe gloomy psychology detracts from the film's magic elements.
02/14/01
Top CriticOverall, a compelling argument for the $121-million Los Angeles Lakers center to keep his day job.
01/01/00
The movie is decidedly old-fashioned, aiming to send kids and their parents out of the theater feeling good about themselves.
01/01/00
This is as witless as movies come -- an unamusing, moronic blend of horrible acting and inept screenwriting.
01/01/00
Top CriticOh well, at least NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal can still tell people he made his big-screen debut in Blue Chips.
01/01/00
Kazaam is a genie movie that doesn't have a spark of magic.
01/01/00
It's full of special effects that are big on smoke and noise, but short on logic and payoff. Scenes are sloppily edited, as if to imply that lower standards can acceptably be palmed off on kiddie audiences.
01/01/00
One thing is for certain: When a genie movie doesn't come up with satisfying wishes, it's a sure sign it's not really interested in genies but in putting a seven-foot basketball player in a funny outfit.
01/01/00
Top CriticThis is a dull, meritless movie that is bafflingly labeled a comedy.
01/01/00
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