Customer Reviews

The Pacifier [VHS]

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

All the negative reviews I've been reading have left me puzzled. Is there some reason why all movies with famous actors should be hard-core and filled with violence and profanity?? This movie is a FAMILY film. The kids will love it, Mom and Dad will love it, too. I applaud Vin Diesel and the other performers for doing a top-notch Disney film for the FAMILY! Disney films are classically just that....films for the family. Mom, Dad, the kids, even Grandma and Grandpa (and any other number of relatives) can watch this movie together and all have a great time doing so. There was a time when this type of film was the norm, not the exception. What has happened in this country? This film is great and should be seen by all and bought for future enjoyment when made available on DVD and VHS.

Vin Diesel had a choice when "Pacifier" was offered to him. He could star in this low-budget release or return for "XXX State of the Union." Mr. Diesel opted to do "Pacifier" because he'd have the opportunity to make a film that his children could watch and enjoy with him--unlike his previous releases which he considered too violent.

Surprise, "Pacifier" isn't just for kids. While there is a "family feel" to the film, there's enough action and suspense to keep the adults on the edge of their seats. Besides, the whole film is surprisingly funny as well.

Vin Diesel stars as a Special Ops soldier who lost a famous scientist on a mission. When he's assigned to guard the scientists' children while their mother is away, Diesel is triply determined to make sure the kids are safe. The children pose their own problems: the son dresses as a Nazi (turns out he's secretly gotten a part in "Sound of Music"), the daughter is having problems learning to drive, the baby just really doesn't know what's happening. Everyone's traumatized by the loss of their father--and having such a rough-and-ready guardian is hard on all of them. But, they band together when the family's at risk.

Overall, an excellent film with a lot of good messages for children. Plus, a lot of laughs. Kudos to Vin Diesel. This little-known film actually shows a lot of depth in his ability to act that we have not seen before.

If I had children between 5-12, I'd suggest they see this. It is "Kindergarten Cop," "Uncle Buck," and "Mr. Mom," with a light "Mrs. Doubtfire" thrown in. It is not as good as any of those, but I am not 10 years old. Your young boy or girl will love it.

It is a mix of slapstick, family style humor and situation gags. Nothing in the story will surprise moviegoers, but nothing will offend them either. It is a fun, decent, average 1960s-style Disney film.

The plot:
Shane Wolfe (Vin Diesel), Navy Seal, is assigned to protect the family of a slain scientist. Their home may have a special device the enemy wants. The mother is out of town trying to open a safe deposit box, and Shane's stay last longer than expected.

Shane, muscle-bound and bald, looks intimidating. He's tough, a "leave no man behind" kind of guy. All man. As a protector/babysitter, he runs aground into all of the expected gags. He changes a diaper with typical disgust, drives the kids to school, and feeds them dried MREs (Meals Ready To Eat). Parenting is new, and he starts learning.

He catches a boyfriend sneaking in, and has run-ins with the wresting coach, played by huge Brad Garrett. Some minor subplots about relating to the children bring a few laughs and "awes."

It isn't really an action movie, not beyond a few "Home Alone" scenes.

Vin Diesel shows he can act here, and occasionally shines in a few sequences. When he finds the code in the "Peter Panda Dance," we see an indication that there's hope for him in a better movie that relies on his personality more than his biceps.

Critically, from an adult perspective, Brad Garrett was not believable as a wrestling coach, and Lauren Graham as the military women-turned-principal did not work. It was as much of a casting problem as it was a writing and directing issue.

Brittany Snow as oldest daughter Zoe Plummer is great. She plays the character honestly, and within her ability. There a Hillary Duff aspect to her, with an edge. Unfortunately, Faith Ford as her mom, Julie Plummer overplayed her. Luckily, we only suffer with her in a few scenes.

Oldest son, Seth Plummer, is likewise overplayed by Max Thieriot, who seems like he was handed the roll for growing up in Hollywood. His conversion from weak trench coat outsider, to thespian acting in "Sound of Music," was more than a stretch.

The nanny, Helga, played by Carol Kane, is given terrible lines. Remembering her in "The Princess Bride," I shuddered as she tried to squeeze out comedy.

The movie is disposable, and will not rank among Disney's best movies. However, it shows that Disney is willing to toss a few dollars into a movie that is clean, with a message that is pro-family, pro-parents, pro-father, and old fashioned fun.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Vin Diesel is a Seal. He rescues and important scientist the plan goes South. Now the government wants to get the scientist's work by takinging the wife to a Swiss vault. Diesel is assigned to guard the rest of the family for the two days the mother is away. It should be an easy assignment but this is no ordinary family. The kids are nothing but trouble (at home and at school) and the nanny gives up. To make matters worse, the mother's trip gets extended. Now Diesel is in for the long haul in an area he has no experience with.

We get plenty of scenes of Diesel being dumbfounded by civilians and their lack of discipline. But eventually Diesel begins to deal with the issues one by one. There are the individual kids, the scouts, school, the principal and vice-principal, sports teams and even enemy agents after the scientist's work. Eventually Diesel rises to the top as things are put straight.

Diesel's inflexible military ways really take a beating for the civilian influence in this movie. While the film does tough on the typical clueless-man meets diapers, it also moves into new territory such as pectoral development and how it is viewed by the young. Overall I found this a surprisingly well-written film with more than a few surprises. The supporting cast was well chosen thus strengthening the whole film. Check it out.

Initially, before watching this movie, I was unsure as to whether I would enjoy it or not, depending on Vin Diesel's performance. However, after watching this movie, I found it very entertaining, and was glad that I saw it.

The story starts off with Lt. Shane Wolfe (Vin Diesel) and his team trying to rescue Dr. Plummer, a scientist who is being held hostage by Bosnian terrorists for inventing some kind of a new gadget GHOST. Shane succeeds in saving Dr. Plummer, but something happens in the last minute, because of which Plummer is killed. After a few days, Shane is given a new assignment: to guard Plummer's children (since the bad guys are still searching for the GHOST program and suspect that it could be in the Plummer house) while his widow (Faith Ford) goes to Zurich to reclaim possessions of her husband. Shane hates taking care of the children in the beginning, especially after the maid Helga runs away, but soon, things change, and he starts becoming closer to them.

The movie is a little slow during the first few minutes, but quickly picks up when Vin Diesel starts babysitting the Plummer children. Even though we know how the movie is going to turn out eventually (since it's a Walt Disney one), it is nevertheless, still fun to watch Vin Diesel take on a different role from his usual stuff, and show a different side of himself. Along with that, various scenes in this movie were hilarious, some of them which were: (a) when Shane changes the diaper on the baby for the first time (b) the way Helga leaves the house in the beginning leaving Shane to do all the housework (c) The wrestling match between Shane and the Vice Principal, and (d) The way the girl scouts get back at their nemesis for messing up their cookies. Acting-wise, I think everyone acted well for their role, especially the kids. Lauren Graham played her role well, even though she didn't have much of one, and Brad Garrett, of course, is highly entertaining to watch and played his part well.

Overall, this movie has a little something for everyone, and it succeeds in delivering what it intended to do: providing a good family comedy.

I felt like the plot flowed quite nicely and the kids were good actors. Although I saw it more for the eye candy than anything else (Vin Diesel). So if you are a mother having to sit through this, don't get up when Vin crawls through the sewer, you'll miss the towel scene. All in all I'd probably go see it again. You won't regret taking your kids to this either.

I was in the military for 8 years and loved it. I was in the field artillary as a forward observer. The biggest reasons why I loved this movie was because of Vin Diesel, and because of the military terminology (front & center, do you copy, ect.) The only thing wrong that caught my attention was in the beginning of the movie where Shane Wolfe (Vin Diesel) was briefing his troops about the upcoming mission to save Mr. Plummer, he was a few feet away from the other troops and he was more or less yelling. That's the only thing that was in this movie that would never happen. A friend of mine didn't like the jet ski scene shortly after that, but for me, this movie touched a little on every one of my senses (action, tender moment, family, good fight scene, excellent dialougue, the lone hero (ex: Riddick, Blade) I would suggest this film to anyone of any age. I work at a hotel full time and talk to guests of all ages, and of the people that have seen it, all have liked it.

i really dont see why this movie is PG, i guess for the martial arts scenes, but thats about it so i would say its ok for all ages. well, anyway, im not a kid, im 16 and i loved this movie. its hilarious. the story is that Vin diesel is a navy seal and he is assigned to watch over 5 out of control kids after their dad dies. The dad was a professor and he invented a program called "ghost" that the enemies were after, so thats why Vin Diesel has to stay there to protect the kids. the mom leaves to try and get to "ghost" which leaves Diesel alone w/ the kids. They have a crazy nanny lady named helga, but helga leaves not long into the movie. the movie is funny just what Vin Diesel does to the kids, i like how he woke up seth (the teenage boy who is really hot: ok, well, he's hot until he cuts his hair and dies it blonde.). also i love the Peter Panda Dance! lol.

Some people like it, some people don't.

I think that it was quite a big move for Vin. From the upcoming films that he had chosen, I can see he's looking for different characters instead of action hero. Just like what he said, you can't be Riddick forever at the age of 50. A real actor will try a different characters and plays..

Personally, I have seen almost all Vin's movies (apart from multi-face) but it's all violence and sex things, therefore really can't imagine that he's playing well in Disney Movie... I'm not the fans of Vin but the Pacifier had draw my attention. Surprisingly there was no premiere / promotion for the Pacifier in Hong Kong but the result was quiet good. Beside, I've heard the kids and adult laughing and they are really enjoying the movies.

Finally, a movie that is good from beginning until the end! Man this movie took way to long to get here! I laughed from the second he moved in until the end. It was a great movie that I will actually tell people to go and see this movie. I honestly didn't have extreme high hopes for this movie because of all the duds I have seen lately but this movie is one movie that stands at the top of my list! It is one you will laugh to and that the kids will enjoy. It is especially a great movie if you have a family and want to take them to the movies as they will enjoy it. I think everyone in the movie clicked well and made it for an exciting trip. I loved the kids the most they were just cute and I liked the chemistry that Vin had with the kids you could tell he was enjoying his work and he was put into the role perfectly. This is a sure winner for him! If you like to laugh and want a funny movie that is actually clean and doesn't resort to low jokes you will love this movie.