From sports legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Andre the Giant, and a certain quarterback from The Naked Gun movies to modern athletes such as LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Garnett, many athletes have decided to try their hand at acting. Some of them succeed, starring in critically-acclaimed movies such as Uncut Gems or beloved family movies like Space Jam.
Others, such as Shaquille O'Neal, star in movies that didn't go down in history for the right reasons. The lead in two of the most critically-panned films of the 1990s, both Steel and Kazaam nonetheless have multiple arguments for being Shaq's best movie.
Kazaam: The Talent Behind The Camera
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser (The Running Man, also the star of Starsky and Hutch) and written by Christian Ford and Roger Soffer (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), the creative minds behind Kazaam have helped create some of the biggest fantasy films and TV shows to come out in the past few decades.
While some might think that those talents were nowhere to be shown here, there are elements of this film that have made projects from this creative teamwork in the past. It has a zany and somewhat ridiculous feel that has definitely been present in the creative team's most popular and impactful projects.
Steel: The Talent In Front Of The Camera
Steel is filled with recognizable actors from the 1990s. In addition to Shaq, the supporting cast includes nostalgic 1990s actors such as Annabeth Gish (Mystic Pizza), Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club), and Richard Roundtree (Shaft).
In addition, a young Ray J makes an appearance in the film. Though most of these actors have given better performances elsewhere, their acting chops serve to soften the blow of some of Shaq's more wooden deliveries. In addition, Judd Nelson plays a character that is entertainingly against-type for the actor.
Kazaam: The Soundtrack Is Full of 1990s Nostalgia
With songs from Usher, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, the Backstreet Boys, and Nathan Morris of "Boyz II Men" fame, this soundtrack is filled with 1990s musical acts that are guaranteed to leave many nostalgic for the time period.
In addition, the soundtrack gave P!nk her first major taste of fame. A member of the R&B trio Choice before embarking on her own solo professional career, P!nk's career's first major stepping stone came when the song "Key To My Heart" was officially released as a part of the film's soundtrack.
Steel: The Character Fits Shaq's Limited Range
As a weapons connoisseur on a path of vengeance, John Henry Irons is a very stoic and serious character. He's motivated by anger, crusading against crime to get revenge for his partner after she becomes paralyzed.
Even though Shaq has an out-sized and fun-loving public persona, this usually isn't translated into his acting roles very well. Often, his more animated and emotional line deliveries can come off as flat and wooden. By playing a character with very little emotional range, this issue is slightly mitigated.
Kazaam: The Story Is Unafraid To Go A Little Off-The-Rails
A movie where Shaq plays a genie, Kazaam lives up to its ridiculous premise by being unafraid to go places. Starting off as a story about a boy named Max looking for his real father, after introducing various crime elements into a light-hearted family movie, the movie climaxes with Kazaam turning the villain into a basketball and dunking him into a garbage container before saving Max from a burning building. The film's willingness to go-for-broke and embrace the cheesiness definitely makes the film an entertaining watch.
Steel: Annabeth Gish Turns In A Decent Supporting Performance
As John Henry Irons' newly-paralyzed partner, Sparky must help Irons on his quest for vengeance while also dealing with the emotional effects from the accident that left her in a wheelchair.
While Richard Roundtree and Judd Nelson chew the scenery in their roles, Gish gives more of an understated and emotional performance. Seeing as her character is the one with the most emotional baggage, Gish does well with expressing what the character is going through while never feeling like she's overacting.
Kazaam: Starting To Get Somewhat Of A Critical Re-Evaluation
Much like many films children of the 1980s/1990s grew up watching, Kazaam is a film that is getting a mild critical re-evaluation online. Initially regarded as one of the worst films of the 1990s, some are beginning to see it through another lens.
Though many of its flaws still exist, some are beginning to appreciate the film's fun tone and willingness to go for broke. In addition, the film is a comforting throwback to a time when other films like this were released.
Steel: Shaq's Best Reviewed Movie as a Lead
Sitting at a strong 12% Critical Score on Rotten Tomatoes, Steel is Shaq's most critically-acclaimed movie as a lead, besting Kazaam's 5%. Some critics have criticized the movie's cheesiness and acting, with some of them even considering Steel to be the worst superhero movie ever made. However, others have found positive things to say about the film, giving notice to the film's special effects as well as to Shaq's likable lead performance.
Kazaam: Filled With 1990s Nostalgia
Kazaam feels like a time capsule of the 1990s in more ways than the soundtrack and the cast. Released the same year as Space Jam and a few years before Like Mike, it feels like a throwback to late-90s/early-2000s NBA fandom when both the league and Shaq were at their peak of popularity.
The film's heart and unabashed earnestness also give it a nostalgic touch, making the film feel like other family films released during the 90s.
Steel: Filled With 1990s Cheesiness
Released during a time when studios still weren't sure what to do with comic book movies, Steel is filled with the same endearing camp that has come to define most superhero movies that were released during the 1990s.
The script is unafraid of melodrama, containing many over-the-top character moments and interactions. The costumes also ooze 1990s cheese, with Steel's suit looking cheaply made but ridiculously over-designed at the same time.