If Batman & Robin was DCs A picture in 1997, then Steel, starring NBA basketball superstar Shaquille ONeal, was its cheaper, less prestigious B movie equivalent. In true B-grade fashion, its also a more entertaining picture. That said, theres a problem the film never addresses. Shaq plays the worlds first 7 foot 1 inch African-American crime fighter, so even though he wears a costume that makes him look like the offspring of Robocop and Daredevil, figuring out his secret identity shouldnt be too difficult. But guess what? His friends never recognise him, even though they spend the whole movie joking about his height and calling him big boy. Worse, Shaq doesnt exactly go to great lengths to conceal his identity from the public. When civilians witness him kicking ass, he throws them a friendly wave and says, Yall have a good evening now. If the police asked them for a description, all theyd have to say is he looked like the guy who played the genie in Shazam! Thered be cops breaking down Shaqs door moments later.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
