Went with the family this past weekend to see Walt Disney’s The Pacifier starring Vin Diesel. First off I’m a sucker for these type of family films. Parent Trap, Raising Helen, Cheaper by the Dozen…they’re all very formulaic and have somewhat unrealistic happy endings, but so what? They’re fun, entertaining, and are movies that you can go to with the entire family without being embarrassed that your child is going to see or hear something age-inappropriate.
In The Pacifier Vin Diesel plays Navy S.E.A.L. Shane Wolf. His latest assignment is to protect the family of a scientist who was killed while under Wolf’s protection. The scientist’s top-secret research is allegedly hidden in the home and the government wants Wolf to watch over the kids, and try to discover the research, while their mother and Wolf’s commanding officer fly off to retrieve something left in a safety deposit box. The typical kids vs. adult scenario ensues when Wolf begins his nanny duties by turning the household into S.E.A.L. bootcamp. However, unlike the recent remake of Cheaper by the Dozen, the ‘kids getting even’ shtick is very short-lived and they soon learn to bond with and trust their would-be babysitter.
It was this fact that made this movie even more entertaining to me. There are fewer attempts at cheap laughs than one might imagine with a film of this sort and more emphasis on the family bonding with each other and learning how to cope with the loss of their father. This was a feel-good movie that succeeding in making you feel good about family life.
I was a Vin Diesel fan after seeing him in xXx and I was curious as to how he would do in a humorous role. I thought he was great! The actors/actresses who played the children were perfectly cast and were very believable in their roles. Morgan York played the youngest daughter Lulu and she very nearly stole the show. Lauren Graham was fun as the school prinicpal, and the addition of Brad Garrett as vice-prinicipal, wrestling coach, and would-be nemesis to Diesel’s Wolf was terrific casting.
If you’re a fan of good, clean, entertaining family films you won’t be disappointed with this one.
i just saw this movie last saturday.. very fun!
my favorite part.. when vin comes downstairs in just the towel, & the little girls at the table start giggling & say “you’re right! he DOES have boobies!”
lol
Glad to hear you liked it. I was skeptical of it being any good based on the commercials I had seen of it. I also am a sucker for good family films ie. Cheaper by the Dozen, Father of the Bride, etc. I also liked Vin Disel in a good scifi flick entitled ” Pitch Black ” I would recommend it to you if you haven’t seen it. I don’t own it on DVD though or I would lend it to you.
I like Pitch Black and also thought Riddick was okay. Nic has the Director’s Cut on DVD and I need to borrow that and check it out, supposed to be much better.
I have the Riddick Chronicles on DVD, but Pitch Black only on VHS. (Unless you want to buy a copy for me…I’ll let you borrow it.) Riddick on DVD is better than the theater cut. It makes more sense because it fills in the gaps.
I’m always skeptical of “family” movies. I get tired of the “adult as idiot” schtick, but I’m glad to hear that they don’t milk that for too long.
Of course, Vin Diesel isn’t exactly hard on the eyes and ears, either.
Actually Vin isn’t an idiot at all in this one really, he’s pretty cool through and through.
I liked the duck!
Is it good for little kids? It looks over Julian’s head. But I thought it did look cute and possibly a little different than just the ordinary fare.
Yes, there’s nothing really inappropriate at all. Its funny but not as little-kid funny as a movie like Home Alone. The opening Navy S.E.A.L. scene does have some violence but no blood.
It seems that Vin is following in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator, Twins, Kindergarten Cop, etc). I wonder if he’ll end up governor someday…
I’d take him over our current governor in a heartbeat!!!
Isn’t Vin American born? Forget governor, run for president!
that was a great movie, especially with Max Thieriot playing the oldest boy!
i loved this movie. just finished watching it.
10/10 bitches
yeh it was really good 10/10