
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 ... (Full plot summary below)
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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.
Leave your thoughts about Kazaam.
| USA TodaySusan WloszczynaIt's probably just passable for children, but adolescents won't sit still for this bland mixture of mediocre jokes and soft-core action. |
| San Francisco ExaminerDavid ArmstrongThe movie is decidedly old-fashioned, aiming to send kids and their parents out of the theater feeling good about themselves. |
| The Virginian-PilotMal VincentThe movie looked lively and imaginative in the trailer that has been showing for months. Stretch it out to 92 minutes, though, and you realize that the entire thing was effectively and attractively squeezed into the preview. |
| VarietyGodfrey CheshireWith its uneven mix of comedy, melodrama and action, pic will need all the help Shaq's name and a rap soundtrack can provide. |
| Washington PostEsther IveremAlas, the movie's producers could use a genie of their own. Surely, if granted three wishes, they could have produced a better film. |
| The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam LaceyIs Kazaam racist? In effect, yes. But it'sracism linked to bad marketing: You can't really mix a black-pride rap film with a revamped version of "Free Willie" and expect them to magically jibe. |
| Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertAs for Shaquille O'Neal, given his own three wishes the next time, he should go for a script, a director and an interesting character. |
| Philadelphia InquirerDesmond RyanIn his Hollywood debut, Shaq more or less played himself as a coveted college center in William Friedkin's excellent Blue Chips. Kazaam is a compelling argument for keeping him on the court and as far away from a movie set as possible. |
| About.comFred TopelHorrible kids movie. The kid is annoying and there's no clever humor. |
| Internet ReviewsSteve RhodesOnly Shaquille O'Neal works at his part, the rest of the cast barely work up a sweat. |