Kazaam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kazaam |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Paul Michael Glaser |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Paul Michael Glaser |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Christopher Tyng |
| Cinematography | Charles Minsky |
| Editing by |
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| Distributed by |
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| Release date(s) | July 17, 1996 |
| Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $20 million |
| Money made | $18.9 million |
Kazaam is a 1996 American musical movie and fantasy comedy film. It was directed by Paul Michael Glaser. The story was written by Glaser, with the screenplay by Christian Ford and Roger Soffer. The movie stars Shaquille O'Neal as Kazaam, a 5,000-year-old genie. Kazaam appears from a magic boombox to grant a 12-year-old boy three wishes.
The film was released on July 17, 1996. It earned about $19 million at the box office. The movie's budget was $20 million.
Story of Kazaam
The movie begins with a wrecking ball hitting an old building. Inside, a magic lamp falls over. It lands on a boombox, and the genie inside decides to live there.
Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy named Max (Francis Capra) is at school. He gets into trouble with bullies. They chase him through Brooklyn. Max runs into the abandoned building. There, he finds the boombox and accidentally lets the genie out. The genie introduces himself as Kazaam (played by Shaquille O'Neal). He is 5,000 years old and tells Max he is now Max's genie. Kazaam shows his powers by briefly disappearing.
Max goes home and learns his mom is marrying a fireman named Travis (John Costelloe). Max's mom had told him his real dad was away. Now, Max finds out his dad is actually in the city. Max decides to look for his father. Kazaam keeps showing up, trying to get Max to make a wish. Max eventually finds his dad. He learns his dad works as a music agent, dealing with unauthorized music.
Max takes Kazaam to his secret hideout. They have a bike race, and Kazaam uses his powers. Kazaam finally convinces Max to make his first wish. Max wishes for junk food to rain from the sky. While eating, Max realizes he controls Kazaam until he makes his last two wishes. Max and Kazaam go to see Max's father again.
Max's dad introduces him to his co-workers. Max and Kazaam are invited to a nightclub. The club owner, Malik (Marshall Manesh), learns Kazaam is a genie. He wants to control Kazaam through Max's father. The next day, Kazaam stays at Max's house. He pretends to be Max's tutor.
Max tells Kazaam that he and his father are not connecting well. Kazaam tries to avoid the topic by rapping. Max tries to wish for his parents to fall back in love. Kazaam cannot grant this wish. He explains that he is not a "djinn," which means he cannot grant wishes about feelings or love.
Later, Max sees Malik and his helpers threatening his father. Max asks Kazaam for help. Kazaam has just gotten a record deal as a rapper and says he cannot help Max. After school, Max's father demands a record tape Max took. Max gives it back, realizing his dad won't change. Later that night, Malik kidnaps Max. He also takes Kazaam's boombox, which means Malik now controls Kazaam. Max's father is also held hostage. Malik pushes Max down an elevator shaft. Malik then orders Kazaam to do his bidding. Kazaam is at first powerless. But he soon breaks free from Malik's control. He defeats Malik and his helpers.
Kazaam turns Malik into a basketball and dunks him into a garbage disposal. Kazaam then finds Max's body, which seems lifeless. Kazaam wishes he could have granted Max's wish to give his father a second chance. Because of his deep sorrow, Kazaam finally becomes a true djinn. This means he can now grant wishes about feelings. He saves Max and Travis carries Max out of the burning building. Max's father promises to fix his relationship with Max. Kazaam is last seen walking away, happy about his new freedom.
Characters in Kazaam
- Shaquille O'Neal as Kazaam
- Francis Capra as Maxwell "Max" Connor
- Ally Walker as Alice Connor
- James Acheson as Nick Matteo
- John Costelloe as Travis O'Neil
- Marshall Manesh as Malik
- Fawn Reed as Asia Moon
- Mother Love as Mrs. Duke
- Wade Robson as Elito
- Jake Glaser as Jake
- Efren Ramirez as Carlos
- Steven Barr as Sam
- Deidra Roper as Spinderella
- Da Brat as Herself
- Deborah Rennard as Malik's Date
Film Title Confusion
Many people mistakenly remember this film as "Shazaam." They also often think comedian Sinbad starred as a genie in it. This is an example of the Mandela effect. However, no such movie with Sinbad ever existed.
In April 2017, Sinbad worked with the comedy group CollegeHumor. They made a short parody video. It was a tribute to those who wrongly remembered him starring in the film.
See also
In Spanish: Kazaam para niños
