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:

warehouse | three wishes | chase | key | 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

Shaquille O'Neal is well known for his basketball career.

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Goofs

When Kazaam is singing the song "We genie" with Max, if you look closely, when he raps the part, "...and we was in Hades 'cause we moved with the Harem of the Prince of Akabrem..." His mouth is still moving for that split second after he finishes the line, but before they show Max's Face.

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Quotes

Kazaam: Grab my belly and make a wish.

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Connections

Referenced in Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Johnny Knoxville/Jenna Dewan/Franz Ferdinand (2018)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

KAZAAM *1/2 OF ****

Shaquille O' Neal plays a rapping genie helping a kid(his name....who cares) to re-unite with his work~a~holic father. OK, this movie is deeply flawed, mild in entertainment, but with all of these rappers and basketball stars (Omarion in "You Got Served, Darius Miles in "The Perfect Score) in movies playing rappers and basketball stars, at least Shaq attempts to be a genie,and TRIES to stretch his acting ability by being something he's not. Besides that, the kid's wishes are implausible, seeing as candy bars and burgers rain (through a roof somehow) and come down perfect in order and unsmushed. I can't see which audience this is targeting. Kids won't be awed and 12+ will be laughing for all of the wrong reasons.

VERDICT: *1/2 of **** Not Recommended