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Kazaam (1996)

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Average Rating: 2.9/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 11

No consensus yet.

audience

19

liked it
Average Rating: 1.8/5
User Ratings: 39,210

My Rating

Movie Info

Being a lone young boy in the 'hood" is dangerous and unpleasant. This is what Max (Francis Capra) experiences when he fools a gang of local toughs who cornered him at school. The gang finds out that the key he gave them is of no value in committing a robbery, and they chase him through the streets of his neighborhood, bent on revenge. He tries to escape by slipping into the open door of an old warehouse, but they follow him there, too. While running from them through aisles filled with all

Oct 8, 2002

Cast

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (25)

Too gritty, violent and downbeat for tykes, it's also a bit juvenile and fairy tale-like for teens and older auds.

March 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment (1)
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The movie's producers could use a genie of their own. Surely, if granted three wishes, they could have produced a better film.

January 22, 2002 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The gloomy psychology detracts from the film's magic elements.

February 14, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | Comment
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Comment
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This is as witless as movies come -- an unamusing, moronic blend of horrible acting and inept screenwriting.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: ReelViews | Comment
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Prime MST3K material, ripe for the ripping.

December 28, 2004 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

Horrible kids movie. The kid is annoying and there's no clever humor.

July 14, 2003 Comment
About.com

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.

June 5, 2002 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | Comment
Boxoffice Magazine

Overall, a compelling argument for the $121-million Los Angeles Lakers center to keep his day job.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: E! Online | Comment
E! Online

Kazaam is a genie movie that doesn't have a spark of magic.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Cinematter | Comment
Cinematter

This is a dull, meritless movie that is bafflingly labeled a comedy.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
Oz
eFilmCritic.com

Only Shaquille O'Neal works at his part, the rest of the cast barely work up a sweat.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | Comment
Internet Reviews
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Kazaam

Kazaam has got the reputation of being one of the worst films ever made, and with good reason. I originally saw this when it first came out and thought it was awful, and I was 11 years old at the time. The film is utter garbage. I don't even know where to begin with this film. Well for one, if this was supposed to be

November 3, 2011
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

I saw this movie on TV a lot when I was a kid, at first I thought it was kinda fun, but eventually it got extremely annoying. Now, I can see it for what it is: a movie about a kid who gets a genie to help him beat up bullies. The genie is played by Shaquille O'Neal, a big, tall, basketball player, who can't act.

September 6, 2010
ajv2688

Super Reviewer

Kazaam Quotes

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Latest News for Kazaam

August 17, 2011:
What Shaquille O'Neal Really Wants to Do Is Direct
He's taking classes at the New York Film Academy, in fact.

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