Warner Archive: Steel DVD Review
Warner Archive: Steel DVD Review
Synopsis: Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal ("Kazaan") sheds his hi-tops for a dazzling suit of battle armor as the latest and greatest DC Comics superhero to wage war on crime. When evil scientist Judd Nelson ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," "The Breakfast Club") begins selling top-secret weapons to LA's street gangs, former military researcher Shaq joins forces with a brilliant electronics expert to build an invincible suit of armor. Layered in his magnetic metal sheath and armed with his own hi-tech weaponry, Shaq transforms into his mythic alter-ego, "Steel." From a secret command center, Steel sets out on a high-powered silver motorcycle to confront Nelson and rid the city of crime. Co-starring Annabeth Gish ("Double Jeopardy," "Nixon") and the original urban crime-fighter, Richard Roundtree ("Shaft," "Seven"). Directed by multiple Emmy-winner Kenneth Johnson (TV's "Incredible Hulk," TV's "V"). Produced by Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning producer/composer/performer, Quincy Jones.
Review: Steel was a semi-popular Dc Comics character in the Superman universe prior to the making of this film. The decision to make this came in the same era when Warner Brothers produced the stinkbomb Batman & Robin. Compared to that film, Steel is a masterpiece! Compared to modern superhero genre films, it can't hold it's weight. That isn't all bad though...
I'm a parent of three kids and I do struggle to find appropriate films within the superhero genre for them to watch. Steel is one of those films. Starring then hot item Shaq as John Henry Irons, this film tries very hard and does a pretty good job of bringing the character to screen. It has a lot of action, but its not over the top in seriousness or gore. Its light hearted and doesn't take itself too seriously, as many superhero films in the 1990s did not.
The Warner Archive series has released Steel onto a new DVD. In fact, I think this is the first time you could get the film on anything but VHS! Its made from the best possible master tapes, so this is most certainly the closest thing you'll get to ultimate edition of the film.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars