Review of Kazaam (1996) by Jen G — 06 Jul 2008

[u][i]WeGenie_0804's Kazaam Review[/i][/u].

[size=2]After several sleepless nights and countless bowls of ramen, I have finally finished the review of the movie that got me interested in becoming a so-called ?movie buff.? [i]Kazaam[/i], starring basketball?s living legend Shaquille O?Neal, is a children?s comedy that, put simply, more than delivers. In the ever-elusive ?Pantheon of Greats,? buried deep within an unreachable Amazonian jungle; guarded vigilantly by jaguars and such beasts, [i]Kazaam[/i] deserves its rightful place next to flicks such as [i]The Godfather[/i], [i]Citizen Kane[/i], and [i]Casablanca[/i]. In fact, the previous movies seem to pale in comparison to [i]Kazaam[/i]. On the outside we are given a quirky, family-oriented rapper?s delight, but under further analysis we are given insight to the struggles and pains of youth in the big city. Although the concept is not completely original, never before has the story of growing up been so expertly portrayed upon the silver screen.

It simply isn?t right to give you the basic gist of the movie (although it may not even be possible, due to the engrossing and epic nature of this twist-laden tale), but I will reveal that the very essence of youth is embodied by the stellar performance of Francis Capra, who plays the kid-protagonist ?Max.? He ends up befriending the ?hip? ancient genie Kazaam (Shaq), to take you on one of the most absorbing experiences that you will experience in your mere mortal time on earth. The plot is very deep; tensions are abound from frame one. The movie does a spectacular job of keeping the suspense and interest going, unlike films such as [i]Gone With the Wind [/i]and [i]Schindler?s List[/i], in which my attention fizzles out quickly.

I can recall the first time I embarked upon the grandiose journey with Max and Kazaam: I lost all inhibitions and sense of surrounding, taking in the living, breathing world portrayed in this movie. All senses were in tune with the celluloid; my eyes were treated to the amazing special effects wizardry that still leaves me spellbound to this very day. My eyes were also treated to the gleam of O?Neal?s biceps, glistening in the sunlight?

My ears were delighted by the sounds of tablas, kamans, and the deep tones of the buzuq that provide a subtle, yet slick Arabian backdrop for Shaq?s melodic mastery of the voice. The rhymes will reverberate within your head for months, possibly years at a time, with such memorable lines like, ?You hungry girls? Let?s green egg and ham it!? This is vocal improv at it?s very finest. Shaq?s raw rapping style is a refined taste, albeit one that is well worth the effort to enjoy. For example, when first awakened from the magical boom box that sealed him in for ages, Kazaam sputters with rage, questioning ?Who?s the sorry wannabe, that disturbed my Z?s.? The tone of his voice just pins you to the ground and demands you to taste his ass. Overall, the soundtrack will leave a lasting impression and adds to the pure audio/visual experience.

To tell the truth this movie had single-handedly changed my life. It opened me up to a new ideal mindset and it has in fact put me on the right track. I have embraced Islam because of the conviction that Shaquille O?Neal?s character depicts so meticulously. I have worked so very hard to pay for my trip abroad to find my true father, not unlike the ever-determined ?Max.? I feel for the characters in this movie as they feel for each other each time I engage in this beautiful, heartfelt classic. Do yourself, no, the world a favor and just immerse yourself into the world of [i]Kazaam[/i]. From the beginning to the end, every frame is an utter masterwork. Films such as this come along once, perhaps twice in a lifetime. It is a testament to the human ability to craft such beauty, such art.

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