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 #37 | 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:

bathing | glass of water | rapping | wrecking ball | mother son relationship | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Costelloe plays a firefighter in this movie. In real life, he was a firefighter for 11 years before retiring in 1998. He also played a volunteer firefighter in The Sopranos (1999).

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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: [lifting malik by the neck] Now, where's Max?
Malik: Uh... du... du... du... uh... he... uh... he went down that shaft.
Kazaam: WHAT?
Malik: Umm... uh... uh... there was nothin I could do, now put me down...
[starts choking]
Malik: ... I'm afraid of heights.
Kazaam: Wish not granted!
[Shapes Malik into a basketball, and then slam-dunks him into the Air duct]

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Crazy Credits

Film title logo appears as the end credits are finished

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Connections

Referenced in The Darkest Timeline with Ken Jeong & Joel McHale: Most Dominant Guest Ever - SHAQ (2020)

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Soundtracks

If You Believe
Written by Spinderella (as Deidra "Spin" Roper) and Omar Epps
Performed by Spinderella (as Deidra "Spin" Roper)
Deidra "Spin" Roper appears courtesy of Jireh Records Inc./MCA Records Inc.

User Reviews

what the hell?

This is one of the most god-awful movies ever. Shaq better just stick to basketball. This movie took away apart of my life I will never have back. I will make fun of this movie until I die, and then some. It is so horrible it is not even funny. MST3000 would have a blast with this one.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kazaam

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,001,588, 21 July 1996

Gross USA:

$18,937,262

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$18,937,262

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