The movie is decidedly old-fashioned, aiming to send kids and their parents out of the theater feeling good about themselves.
38
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
As for Shaquille O'Neal, given his own three wishes the next time, he should go for a script, a director and an interesting character.
38
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Is 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.
33
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
It takes the movie all of 15 minutes to descend into sub-Spielbergian banalities about poor Max's search for his absentee dad.
The odd truth is that the film's novice star is better than the material.
30
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
Memo to Shaquille O'Neal: Don't give up your night job.
25
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The plot is hamstrung by trite formulas, and there's too much violence and family tension for very young viewers. Shaquille O'Neal is likable as the title character, though.
25
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
This is as witless as movies come -- an unamusing, moronic blend of horrible acting and inept screenwriting.
25
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Original enough to come up with new ways to go wrong. For one, the film is a blatant showcase to promote O'Neal as a rap artist.
0
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
It's full of special effects that are big on smoke and noise, but short on logic and payoff.