Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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60 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film for the family!!, April 23, 2005
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.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Congrats to Vin Diesel and the whole crew! , June 27, 2005
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.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old Style, Innocent Disney Humor for Young Children, August 8, 2005
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
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