SHAQUILLE O'NEAL's "Steel" took in a "very rusty
estimate" of $855,000 in its opening weekend, according to
Brian Fuson of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The "comic book-
based actioner failed to register in the top 10," and
"averaged just $679 per theater" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 8/18).
HERE'S WHY: Among reviews of Shaq's performance in
"Steel." In N.Y., Larry Worth: "Shaquille O'Neal's sport is
basketball, not baseball. But with his third cinematic
strike, he's hopefully out of the movie biz" (N.Y. POST,
8/16). Also in N.Y., Lawrence Van Gelder: "[O]'Neal will
doubtless survive this latest misadventure. ... Once again
[he] displays an endearing smile, a genial personality and
almost total lack of the charisma and acting skills that his
role calls for" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/16). In Seattle, Keith
Simanton wrote that O'Neal's "acting prowess hasn't improved
much since last year's can't-wish-it-away 'Kazaam!' (SEATTLE
TIMES, 8/16). In Providence, Michael Janusonis called O'Neal
"humorless" and his performance "deadheaded" (Providence
JOURNAL-BULLETIN, 8/16). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth wrote the
film "adds up to one bad -- the original meaning of bad --
movie. The line Shaq learns next: 'Straight to video'"
(L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/18). In Orlando, Jay Boyar: "This mind-
numbingly amateurish action flick is one of the worst motion
pictures I have seen since. ... well, when did Shaq's
'Kazaam' come out?" (ORLANDO SENTINEL/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
8/15). But in S.F., Peter Stack wrote O'Neal "is appealing
and breathes much needed large life into a tolerable stinker
of a film" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/16). In L.A., Bob Heisler
wrote to "give Shaq a little slack. ... While his range of
emotions goes from real cute to real mad without stopping
often enough in between ... he knows the difference between
a movie and a public appearance" (L.A. TIMES, 8/18). In
Minneapolis, Colin Covert: "[W]hile Shaq is no Lou Ferrigno
where dramatic range is concerned, he projects delightful
warmth as the armor-plated avenger" (STAR TRIBUNE, 8/16).
In Tampa, Bob Ross: "Shaq means well: The film is full of
positive messages. But whenever he delivers a speech of
more than five words, the story screeches to a dead halt"
(TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/14). In Toronto, Bruce Kirkland: "O'Neal
is not much of an actor ... yet he has admirable human
qualities worth exploiting. In the hands of a strong
filmmaker, O'Neal could prosper" (TORONTO SUN, 8/18).
