IMDb > Steel (1997)
Steel
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 5 | slideshow) Videos
Steel (1997) -- US Home Video Trailer from Warner Bros.

Overview

User Rating:
2.7/10   4,121 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Kenneth Johnson
Writers (WGA):
Louise Simonson (comic book series) &
Jon Bogdanove (comic book series) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Steel on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
15 August 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Fantasy more
Tagline:
Heroes don't come any bigger. more
Plot:
John Henry Irons designs weapons for the military. When his project to create weapons that harmlessly neutralize soldiers is sabotaged... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
"Well, I'll be dipped in s*** and rolled in breadcrumbs" more (52 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Shaquille O'Neal ... John Henry Irons / Steel

Annabeth Gish ... Susan Sparks

Judd Nelson ... Nathaniel Burke

Richard Roundtree ... Uncle Joe

Irma P. Hall ... Grandma Odessa
Ray J ... Martin (as Ray J.)

Harvey Silver ... Lamont
Charles Napier ... Col. David

Kerrie Keane ... Sen. Nolan

Eric Pierpoint ... Major

Tembi Locke ... Norma
Thom Barry ... Sgt. Marcus

Gary Graham ... Detective

Eric Saiet ... Young Cop

Hill Harper ... Slats
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some superhero action violence.
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | Iceland:12 | Canada:PG | UK:PG (video premiere) | USA:PG-13

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Steel is a DC Comics character. In the comic book, he was directly inspired by Superman when the Man of Steel saved his life (both literal and metaphorically). Since then, John Henry Irons sports Superman's shield as a homage to KalEl. At the movie, the existence or not of Superman is not touched, but John is related to the last son of Krypton via his tattoo. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Steel's armor is supposed to be made from steel which he's forged himself. Despite this the armor and helmet flexes as if made from painted rubber throughout the movie. more
Quotes:
John Henry Irons: I never could make the free throws. more
Movie Connections:
References Batman (1943) more
Soundtrack:
More Trife Life more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 18 people found the following comment useful.
"Well, I'll be dipped in s*** and rolled in breadcrumbs", 28 August 2000
5/10
Author: The_Movie_Cat from England

Steel is one of those films where you constantly have to keep telling yourself "this is NOT a TV movie". A cheap, outrageously bad superhero vehicle for the acting... er... talents?... of 7'1 basketball player Shaquille O'Neal.

Commendably, the film does actually have three clear acts, and Steel's emergence, though underplayed, doesn't happen for over forty minutes. In-jokes are a-plenty, as it mentions Batman, Superman, Jerry Maguire ("show me the money!") and three instances of John Irons (O'Neal) having to net basketballs. The final time sees a life-threatening toss of a grenade. A lousy basketball player throughout, Shaq gets to quip "I never make these". Or would you prefer Richard Roundtree as Uncle Joe, who designs Steel's hammer for him? "I did the metalwork," he explains, "I especially like the shaft." Cue lots of double-takes and knowing glances, with Roundtree looking round, hands in the air, proclaiming "what?"

The special effects are reasonable for tv movie land, but, as this is (pinch me, I must be imagining it) a real cinema movie, they're quite cheap. Steel is badly written, contains atrocious dialogue, is poorly acted, shabbily directed and with an overbearing, repetitive musical score. It is, of course, tremendously entertaining.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (52 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Steel (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Just like Iron Man!!!! jlkonandreas
wow...2.9/10 rating darkhriss
anybody know where to buy steel tplatts98
just a flat out masterpiece ROSSKO44
Steel: Criterion Collection DVD!!!! mechakingghidorah69
The toys Mjenner23
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Superman Spider-Man Batman Batman Forever Ghost Rider
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.