Kazaam (1996)

A troubled kid inadvertently releases a genie, who must grant him any three wishes he requests.

Director:

Paul Michael Glaser (as Paul M. Glaser)

Writers:

Paul Michael Glaser (story) (as Paul M. Glaser), Christian Ford (screenplay)

Stars:

Shaquille O'Neal, Francis Capra, Ally Walker

Bottom Rated Movies #28 | 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shaquille O'Neal	...	Kazaam
Francis Capra	...	Maxwell 'Max' Connor
Ally Walker	...	Alice Connor
James Acheson	...	Nick
John Costelloe	...	Travis
Marshall Manesh	...	Malik
Fawn Reed	...	Asia Moon
Mother Love	...	Mrs. Duke (as JoAnne Hart)
Brandon Durand	...	Vasquez
Wade Robson	...	Elito (as Wade J. Robson)
Jake Glaser	...	Jake
Efren Ramirez	...	Carlos
Jonathan Carrasco	...	Z-Dog
Jesse Perez	...	Vasquez's Sidekick
Todd Sible	...	Engineer Ed

Storyline

Being a lone young boy in the 'hood" is dangerous and unpleasant. This is what Max 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 kinds of stuff, he bumps into an old boom box. By doing that, he manages to release Kazaam, a genie who has been held captive for thousands of years. In order to stay free, Kazaam must give Max three wishes.

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Plot Keywords:

rapping | boy | nightclub | warehouse | boom box | 

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Taglines:

He's A Rappin' Genie With An Attitude... And He's Ready For Slam-Dunk Fun!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for action violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kazaam - Der Geist aus der Flasche

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,131,000, 21 July 1996, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$18,876,581, 3 November 1996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Interscope Communications,Polygram Filmed Entertainment,Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the movie, Max didn't know much about his dad. In real life, Francis Capra also didn't know much about his own dad.

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Goofs

Even though the movie is based in Brooklyn, while Max is talking with his dad in the car, you see a bus with Red and Orange stripes roll by. Buses in New York have blue stripes. Red and Orange were the colors of the Metro buses in Los Angeles in the early to mid-1990s.

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Quotes

Kazaam: I am... Kazaam!

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Worst Films of 1996 (1997)

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Soundtracks

Groovin
Written by Felix Cavaliere (uncredited) and Edward Brigati (uncredited)
Performed by Pato Banton

User Reviews

best movie

I need to so some research in order to find out what film topped this on the Oscar list, but regardless a tragedy has occurred. Most likely the best performance of Shaq's career, this film changed the way I looked at life. You cannot give up on your dreams. Especially if you have a giant African-American wizard at your side. If I had to describe this movie in one word it would be "revolutionary". The character that portrayed Max will surely go on to bigger and better things unless he decides directing is a better career move. I think the greatest compliment this movie could be given is that it is the Aladdin of live action movies without as good of script.

thanks, George