Steel (1997)

A scientist for the military turns himself into a cartoon-like superhero when a version of one of his own weapons is being used against enemies.

Director:

Kenneth Johnson

Writers:

Louise Simonson (comic book series), Jon Bogdanove (comic book series)

Stars:

Shaquille O'Neal, Annabeth Gish, Judd Nelson

Bottom Rated Movies #39 | 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shaquille O'Neal	...	John Henry Irons / Steel
Annabeth Gish	...	Susan Sparks
Judd Nelson	...	Nathaniel Burke
Richard Roundtree	...	Uncle Joe
Irma P. Hall	...	Grandma Odessa
Ray J	...	Martin (as Ray J.)
Harvey Silver	...	Lamont
Charles Napier	...	Col. David
Kerrie Keane	...	Sen. Nolan
Eric Pierpoint	...	Major
Tembi Locke	...	Norma
Thom Barry	...	Sgt. Marcus
Gary Graham	...	Detective
Eric Saiet	...	Young Cop
Hill Harper	...	Slats

Storyline

John Henry Irons designs weapons for the military. When his project to create weapons that harmlessly neutralize soldiers is sabotaged, he leaves in disgust. When he sees gangs are using his weapons on the street, he uses his brains and his Uncle Joe's junkyard know-how to fight back, becoming a real man of "steel."

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Plot Keywords:

junkyard | female soldier | terrorist | explosion | reference to shaft | 

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Taglines:

Man. Metal. Hero.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some superhero action violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the scene at the railroad where John Henry Irons chases after a thug, a broken down fence has graffiti that resembles the written alien language from Alien Nation (1989). Kenneth Johnson, who directed this movie, also directed several Alien Nation TV movies.

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Goofs

Steel's armor is supposed to be made from steel, which he forged himself. Throughout the film, his armor and helmet flex as if they were made of painted rubber.

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Quotes

Uncle Joe: Look-it here, boy! You ain't Superman! And you damn sure ain't gettin' paid!

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

Straight Playin'
Written by DJ Quik, George Archie (as G-One), Peter Gunz, Lord Tariq and Shaquille O'Neal
Performed by Shaquille O'Neal
Courtesy of Twism Records/Trauma Records/Interscope Records
By arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

The Vidiot Reviews

Steel

Wearing a suit made out of steel sounds amazing. Moving around in a suit made of steel sounds impossible.

Fortunately, the 7-foot tall vigilante in this action movie has the strength to manipulate his metal pants.

When a weapon he designed for the army causes an accident that cripples his friend, Sparky (Annabeth Gish), John Henry Irons (Shaquille O'Neal) retires.

With Irons gone, a duplicitous army officer, Nathaniel Burke (Judd Nelson), begins selling Irons' lethal inventions to the criminal underworld.

When Irons' gets wind of this, he recruits a now wheelchair bound Sparky and Uncle Joe (Richard Roundtree), to help him wage war against Burke and his cronies in an impenetrable armoured suit.

Based on the DC Comics character inspired by Superman, Steel's armour has many chinks: namely Shaq's acting abilities and its insufferable script.

Sadly, when this African American hero arrives, old white women still think he's the villain.

Red Light

vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Steel

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$870,068, 17 August 1997

Gross USA:

$1,710,972

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,710,972

Company Credits

Production Co:

DC Entertainment, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1