Steel Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Shaq becomes a walking garbage can to stop Judd Nelson from selling super-soakers to bank robbers.

🍿 Steel: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Accident and Resignation

John Henry Irons, a military weapons designer, works on creating weapons that neutralize soldiers without fatalities. During a test, Nathaniel Burke disregards instructions, causing an accident that kills a senator and paralyzes Susan ‘Sparky’ Sparks. Irons, feeling responsible, resigns from the military.

Weapons on the Street

Irons returns home to find gangs using modified versions of his weapons. He discovers that Burke is selling these weapons to criminals. Determined to stop him, Irons decides to use his skills and resources to fight back and protect his community.

Becoming Steel

With the help of Sparky and his Uncle Joe, Irons creates a suit of armor and weaponry, transforming himself into the vigilante ‘Steel.’ He sets out to stop the gangs and Burke, facing challenges from both the criminals and the police who misunderstand his intentions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Henry Irons (Shaquille O’Neal): A military weapons designer who becomes the superhero Steel to stop his dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
• Nathaniel Burke (Judd Nelson): A corrupt former soldier who sells dangerous weapons to criminal gangs, serving as the film’s main antagonist.
• Sparky (Annabeth Gish): A paraplegic and John’s former colleague who assists him in creating the Steel armor and weaponry.
• Uncle Joe (Richard Roundtree): John’s resourceful uncle who provides the junkyard and know-how to build Steel’s equipment.
• Grandma Odessa (Irma P. Hall): John’s grandmother who provides emotional support and a home base for his vigilante activities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Uncle Joe: “Well, I’ll be dipped in shit and rolled in breadcrumbs!” – A humorous exclamation, showing Uncle Joe’s shock and surprise at a turn of events.
• Nathaniel Burke: “Eat the hot dog, don’t be the hot dog.” – Burke’s advice to his gang members, meaning to take control of the situation and not be taken advantage of.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,710,972
• Worldwide Gross: $1,801,972

💥 Steel Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Steel’ isn’t winning any awards. But I remember seeing it as a kid and being genuinely entertained. Shaq’s charisma, despite some clunky acting, is undeniable. The scene where he builds his suit in the junkyard with Uncle Joe is surprisingly heartwarming. Sure, the special effects are laughable now, but there’s a certain charm to its low-budget superheroics. It’s a guilty pleasure movie that takes me back to a simpler time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Shaquille O’Neal”
  • “Viewers interested in campy superhero films”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted, undemanding action movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Some thematic elements involving weapons and crime”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While well-intentioned, Steel is a misguided superhero film weighed down by Shaq’s limited acting ability and cheap special effects.
• AllMovie: “Steel has little going for it beyond the novelty of seeing Shaq in a superhero suit. The plot is formulaic, the special effects are unconvincing, and the dialogue is clunky. A forgettable superhero flick.
• TV Guide: “A clunky superhero vehicle for Shaq that fails to deliver on both action and excitement. Poor special effects and a weak script make this a regrettable comic book adaptation.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers found the movie unintentionally hilarious due to its cheesy effects and acting.: The movie provides nostalgic, campy fun for those who don’t take it too seriously.

Kids enjoyed Shaq as Steel because of his size and presence as a hero.: It’s a lighthearted family movie that’s not meant to be taken seriously.

Overall Consensus: Despite its flaws, ‘Steel’ finds a niche audience who appreciate its campy charm and nostalgic value, though it’s generally considered a poorly executed superhero film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Producers struggled to find a stunt double for Shaquille O’Neal due to his height of 7ft. 1in., so O’Neal had to perform all of his own stunts.”
• “The film loosely adapts the DC Comics character Steel, who was introduced as one of the four ‘Supermen’ after Superman’s death in the comics, but the movie omits almost all references to Superman.”
• “Director Kenneth Johnson, known for his work on ‘V’ and ‘The Incredible Hulk’, aimed for an urban feel and consulted with kids from South Central Los Angeles to ensure the dialogue was believable.”

🖥️ How to Watch Steel?

Steel (1997) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video. Check your preferred streaming service for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Steel, you might like these similar films:

• Meteor Man (1993): Similar superhero film with an African-American lead and a low-budget, comedic approach to the genre.
• Blankman (1994): A comedic superhero film where the hero is an ordinary person who lacks real powers but decides to fight crime, despite being a bit of a buffoon.
• Spawn (1997): Another superhero movie released in 1997, featuring over-the-top visuals and a darker tone, though not necessarily better received.
• Iron Man (2008): Modern superhero story about a brilliant inventor who creates a suit of armor to fight evil; explores similar themes but with a much higher budget and better execution.

🛒 Steel Related Products

• Steel (Blu-ray): Own the limited edition Steel Blu-ray with special features like behind-the-scenes footage and commentary from the director, Kenneth Johnson. A must-have for any collector of cult classic superhero movies.
• Steel Movie Poster: Get the original Steel movie poster, featuring Shaquille O’Neal in his iconic steel suit. This is a rare find for movie poster enthusiasts and a great addition to any fan’s collection.
• Shaquille O’Neal: Larger Than Life: Commemorate Shaquille O’Neal’s impressive career. This book includes images from Shaq’s career and movies.
• Steel Hammer Replica: Own a high-quality replica of Steel’s iconic hammer. Made with durable materials and detailed craftsmanship, this is a perfect display piece for fans of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Steel features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Men of Steel” – performed by Various Artists
• “Bust a Move” – performed by Young MC

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Man of Steel (Superman): What Went Wrong? – Wisecrack Edition

Ever wonder what went wrong with Man of Steel? Wisecrack breaks it down in this thought-provoking video. Even if you loved the movie, it’s a super interesting watch!

DCEU Films & Series Ranked (Man of Steel to The Flash)

Curious where Man of Steel ranks in the DCEU? This video from Sean Chandler breaks down all the films, from worst to best. I personally think his ranking is spot on!

✨ Rate