Parents' Guide to Kazaam

Parents need to know that Kazaam is a fantasy comedy designed to be a family movie that tackles issues such as divorce and friendships, but is dated, mean, and inappropriate. Unlike most movies of its type, it fails to feature any particularly sympathetic characters. Max (Francis Capra) the 12-year-old protagonist is rude and un-cooperative with his mother. He is also mean and harsh toward Kazaam -- played by basketball star Shaquille O'Neal -- a genie who must grant Max three "material" wishes, and who himself displays shallow behavior. Max's father treats him poorly, initially welcoming him into his life but then frequently becoming annoyed and short-tempered with him. There is mild, intermittent violence, as Max is roughed up by bullies on a few occasions. One of the bullies also attacks Kazaam with a baseball bat, but inflicts no harm. Some of the language feels especially dated with Max referring to one teacher as a "very angry man trapped in a woman's body" and alleges Kazaam is mentally ill by recommending a "nice building with padded walls." Insults such as "dork," "little fart," "turd," and "loser" are also used. The movie also has some prominent product placement, most notably for Pepsi and M&Ms: these are tied to Max's initial, childish wishes. Characters drink alcohol on occasion, but not to excess, although in one scene a child is offered some before a parent intervenes.

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