My one wish: Make this film go away!

Truthfully, I had low expectations for this odd little film starring NBA future hall of famer Shaquille O'Neal.

Don't get me wrong...I like Shaq, though I seldom like the superstar type. Nearly everything I read reports that Shaq is, in fact, a genuinely nice guy who gives immensely to the community. He's reportedly quite the family man, and generous with friends, family and teammates. Sure, he's aggressive on the court, but that's his job and he does it well.

Shaq was mildly tolerable in the basketball flick "Blue Chips," but needs to work with his agent on picking more suitable material for his efforts at creative expression. Seriously, who looked at Shaq, then looked at this script and thought "Wow, that's perfect for Shaq!" Who has that mindset? Who really thinks that a 7-foot-tall African American male with enough strength to squash most children would really make the ideal genie? Who? Tell me, who?

"Kazaam" is based upon a story by director Paul Michael Glaser, who really should have stopped after "Starsky & Hutch" went off television. Seriously, I'm struggling to name one quality project he's done since those days other than carrying on his wife's name through a pediatric AIDS foundation.

Everything about this film is simply horrid, and I can't fathom it would find an audience anywhere. Shaq looks incredibly uncomfortable, and Francis Capra, who plays the young boy, comes off as dry and bland throughout the film.

In most ways, "Kazaam" is a reflection of everything that is wrong with Hollywood these days. The film is clearly made from the perspective of adults trying to write down to kids and they, instead, write away from kids. Shaq's fans will find this hilariously bad, and I doubt the film would appeal to anyone else.

The script is ludicrous and makes just about every possible mistake a children's film can make. The genie is given too much to do and too much of a central role in the life of the child. It takes away the mystique of the genie, and it dilutes his power. Likewise, his wishes end up playing more like a "Make-a-Wish" gift with a contemporary flavor and feeling to them. Yes, I realize that in many ways this is a fantasy, but it is too fantastic to be believable.

The director/producers also make the mistake of turning this into a "let's market Shaq" film by allowing Shaq's horrid rap to take center stage, also diluting his character considerably.

There are certain films where I struggle to write a review. I sit here at the computer, and often times I can barely even get motivated to write it. It feels like I've already invested too much time in the film, and then I'm expected to spend even more. "Kazaam" is such a film. Sometimes, I can justify it by saying "Oh, but my readers need to hear about this film...if only to avoid it." In this case, avoiding "Kazaam" should be obvious because even the posters looked amateur.

If I could have only one wish, I would wish for "Kazaam" to go away forever.

© Written by Richard Propes

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - D- Richard Propes - No stars F Jacob Hall -

TC Candler's Comment

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Jacob Hall's Comment

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