Kazaam (1996)

4% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
20% of users liked it
(39,444 ratings)

Being a lone young boy in the 'hood" is dangerous and unpleasant. This is what Max (Francis Capra) 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… More Being a lone young boy in the 'hood" is dangerous and unpleasant. This is what Max (Francis Capra) 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 (basketball great Shaquille O'Neal), a genie who has been held captive for thousands of years. In order to stay free, Kazaam must give Max three wishes. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Paul Michael Glaser
Genres: Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 17, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Oct 8, 2002

Critic Reviews

Godfrey Cheshire, Variety
Too gritty, violent and downbeat for tykes, it's also a bit juvenile and fairy tale-like for teens and older auds.
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times
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.
Esther Iverem, Washington Post
The movie's producers could use a genie of their own. Surely, if granted three wishes, they could have produced a better film.
Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times
The gloomy psychology detracts from the film's magic elements.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
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.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
This is as witless as movies come -- an unamusing, moronic blend of horrible acting and inept screenwriting.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Prime MST3K material, ripe for the ripping.
Fred Topel, About.com
Horrible kids movie. The kid is annoying and there's no clever humor.
Dwayne E. Leslie, Boxoffice Magazine
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.
, E! Online
Overall, a compelling argument for the $121-million Los Angeles Lakers center to keep his day job.
Madeleine Williams, Cinematter
Kazaam is a genie movie that doesn't have a spark of magic.
Oz, eFilmCritic.com
This is a dull, meritless movie that is bafflingly labeled a comedy.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
Only Shaquille O'Neal works at his part, the rest of the cast barely work up a sweat.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Kazaam has got the reputation of being one of the worst films ever made, and with good reason. I originally saw this when it first came out and thought it was awful, and I was 11 years old at the time. The film is utter garbage. I don't even know where to begin with this film.… More
Kazaam has got the reputation of being one of the worst films ever made, and with good reason. I originally saw this when it first came out and thought it was awful, and I was 11 years old at the time. The film is utter garbage. I don't even know where to begin with this film. Well for one, if this was supposed to be an entertaining and fun family film, it definitely doesn't do that. Kazaam is a stupid, pointless, poorly constructed piece of garbage that should never have been made in the first place. This is a film that no one should waste their time on. Director Paul Michael Glaser should be ashamed of himself for directing this drivel. Kazaam is a pointless film, and if you're looking for one of the worst films ever made, then look no further. The acting is awful, the plot is equally bad and so is the directing. There is no redeeming qualities about this film and it's overall, a great waste of time. Watching paint dry is more entertaining than watching this trash. A terrible film that should never have been made, Kazaam definitely scraps the bottom of the barrel of bad ideas, and has nothing good going for it. The only good thing about this film is the end credits. Avoid this film like the plague; you'd be glad you did. This is simply an awful film that's really not worth watching.
AJ V

I saw this movie on TV a lot when I was a kid, at first I thought it was kinda fun, but eventually it got extremely annoying. Now, I can see it for what it is: a movie about a kid who gets a genie to help him beat up bullies. The genie is played by Shaquille O'Neal, a big,… More
I saw this movie on TV a lot when I was a kid, at first I thought it was kinda fun, but eventually it got extremely annoying. Now, I can see it for what it is: a movie about a kid who gets a genie to help him beat up bullies. The genie is played by Shaquille O'Neal, a big, tall, basketball player, who can't act. This movie is too cheesy, it's like the cheese got burnt, it's so bad. Do not watch this movie, there are many better movies with the same theme.
Michael E

another film i was surprised at mainly because of all the bashing it has had from critics and people and i love this movie i thought it was funny entertaining and fun for the whole family
Conner R

So bad, but it's undeniably hilarious. The 90s really did have some weird concepts, it makes the 80s look like child's play. At least those movies make sense in their own way. 90s movies often don't even make sense to themselves. This is very much a modern urban version… More
So bad, but it's undeniably hilarious. The 90s really did have some weird concepts, it makes the 80s look like child's play. At least those movies make sense in their own way. 90s movies often don't even make sense to themselves. This is very much a modern urban version of Aladdin, only the Genie is 7 ft tall and completely crazy.
KJ P

I laugh every time I see this movie, because it is so bad that I love it. Everyone nows a basketball player like Shaq can't act! By now, people shouldn't care about that, when they watch this movie. Notice on the cover the only critic concenses is FUN! They forgot the NY at… More
I laugh every time I see this movie, because it is so bad that I love it. Everyone nows a basketball player like Shaq can't act! By now, people shouldn't care about that, when they watch this movie. Notice on the cover the only critic concenses is FUN! They forgot the NY at the end!
Jason O

Stick to what you do best, roughing people up on the basketball court, Shaq
Dean M

Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal makes an average performance as a likable genie in this dull comedy-fantasy movie.
danny d

terrible
Aaron N

remember that thing with the indian crying...
Kalel J

When it comes to childhood nostalgia I usually have a good recollection of films that I enjoyed from past years. I remember the likes of Hook, Dragonball Z, Mary Poppins, yet I remember little of Kazaam, a very unforgettable film with what I remember being, how would one put it?… More
When it comes to childhood nostalgia I usually have a good recollection of films that I enjoyed from past years. I remember the likes of Hook, Dragonball Z, Mary Poppins, yet I remember little of Kazaam, a very unforgettable film with what I remember being, how would one put it? Drivel. Kazaam is a poor effort of childhood entertainment with a cheap plot cashing in on a cheap wannabe star. The memories of this film are bad and luckily there were other films to flush out the horrible taste left from this film. Hell, films like this make Like Mike and Space Jam (other atrocities of childhood basketball exploitation) look good.
Matthew Y

I remember being twelve years old and seeing this with my mom and six year old brother. Even at that age I remember pondering "why isn't this any good". I guess I thought Shaq was such a big name I assumed he'd be in a good film like Michael Jordan in Space Jam.… More
I remember being twelve years old and seeing this with my mom and six year old brother. Even at that age I remember pondering "why isn't this any good". I guess I thought Shaq was such a big name I assumed he'd be in a good film like Michael Jordan in Space Jam. For those who don't know Kazaam is a terribly bad movie where Shaq plays a magical genie. Another great example of a film so ludicrously bad that it's actually worth a watch just to mock the damn thing.
Steven V

An appalling piece of filmmaking. This movie is pretty bad and Shaquille O'Neal isn't a very good actor.
Jojo S

I give extra half star for the effort of other actors trying to act and also some of the funny special effects. Plus Padro (Napoleon Dynamite) was in there. He's one of the bullies. Other than that, this movie is one of the worst.
Brett W

"I thoughti toldju kid, ya only git three wishes...can ya dig it?"

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

Cast

Shaquille O'Neal
as Kazaam
Francis Capra
as Maxwell "Max" Connor
Ally Walker
as Alice Connor

Marshall Manesh (II)
as Malik
James Acheson
as Nick
Fawn Reed
as Asia Moon

See full cast

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