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Movies / On DVD / Kazaam
Kazaam

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Kazaam (1996)

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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... 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 take the genie seriously, but soon enough, the pair become fast friends. Max desperately wants to reunite with his father Nick, who abandoned him years ago. He tracks him down, only to find Nick involved in criminal activities with sleazy, villainous types. When Nick's life is endangered by these men, Max wishes for another chance with his dad. Meanwhile, Kazaam has become a rapper -- and is busy performing in concert when Max makes his request. Will the genial genie miss his chance to help the young boy when he needs him most? [More]

Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Francis Capra, Ally Walker, James Acheson

Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Francis Capra, Ally Walker, James Acheson

Director: Paul Michael Glaser

Director: Paul Michael Glaser

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Release:

Oct 8, 2002

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Kazaam
  • NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal is Kazaam, a larger-than-life genie with a magic touch for nonstop fun and laughter! After 5,000 long years of captivity, Kazaam is set free to grant three wishes to a new master. From then on, he's catapulted to one wild adventure after another ... from becoming the latest rap sensation to untangling an outrageous mob scheme! As the giant genie with an attitude, Shaq scores big laughs in this hilarious comedy hit that's sure to be a slam-dunk winner with everyone!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Kazaam

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    1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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    The movie is decidedly old-fashioned, aiming to send kids and their parents out of the theater feeling good about themselves.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment 1 Comment
    01/01/00
    David Armstrong
    David Armstrong
    San Francisco Examiner

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

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    E! Online

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    05/08/08
    Cole Smithey
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/14/05
    Daniel M. Kimmel
    Daniel M. Kimmel
    Worcester Telegram & Gazette

    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.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    06/05/02
    Dwayne E. Leslie
    Dwayne E. Leslie
    Boxoffice Magazine

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

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    01/22/02
    Esther Iverem
    Esther Iverem
    Washington Post

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

    comment Comment
    07/14/03
    Fred Topel
    Fred Topel
    About.com

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

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/26/09
    Godfrey Cheshire
    Godfrey Cheshire
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    02/14/01
    Jack Mathews
    Jack Mathews
    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Oh well, at least NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal can still tell people he made his big-screen debut in Blue Chips.

    Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Jeff Vice
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    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.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    05/20/03
    Lawrence Van Gelder
    Lawrence Van Gelder
    New York Times

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

    Full Review Source: Cinematter | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Madeleine Williams
    Madeleine Williams
    Cinematter

    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.

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle

    Prime MST3K material, ripe for the ripping.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    12/28/04
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    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.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mick LaSalle
    Mick LaSalle
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

    Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Oz
    Oz
    eFilmCritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/30/02
    Philip Martin
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    As for Shaquille O'Neal, given his own three wishes the next time, he should go for a script, a director and an interesting character.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    08/04/03
    Ryan Cracknell
    Ryan Cracknell
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