The Pacifier | | Cast : | Vin Diesel, Brittany Snow, Max Thieriot, Brad Garrett | | Director : | Adam Shankman | | Studio : | Walt Disney Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | March 04, 2005 | | DVD Released Date : | June 28, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), French (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | It would be tough to find one worse | Content
 | It would be easy to say this is the worst movie Ive ever seen, that might just be overreacting. But I swear, thinking back to all the movies I have seen in the last 30 plus years, I cannot think of one worse. Terrible fight scenes, stupid lines, cornball acting, and the most unrealistic portrayal of school life I have ever seen. Vin actually stood in the school yard and could pick out all the children at once. One was in class, one was at cheerleading practice, one was at wrestling practice, and the other, I cant remember. But he could actually see every one of them from the playground. What a joke.
The scene where the ninjas break into the house and fight Vin is ridiculous. They hit him several times with whatever they are carrying in their hands but it has NO effect...I guess because they are nothing but silly pieces of flimsy plastic. Yeah...if I break into a house...thats what Im going to use...plastic sticks...how intimidating!! I thought Steven Segal was the worst actor out there...but Vin Diesel just proved me wrong. Several scenes towards the end required him to smile...he cant even do that without making me cringe. Aything funny or anything emotional (except maybe rage...and even that is a stretch) is clearly WAY beyond Vin's ability.
The truly scary thing about this movie is that several higher ups in the movie business had to have seen this embarrasment before its release...and they released it anyway. Surely someone could have raised their hand and said "We gotta keep this under wrap...it just sucks too much!!" Its billed as a comedy...but there is NOTHING funny about this at all. I couldnt muster a single laugh. The only thing I could do was to hold my stomach and try not to puke. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | Old Style, Innocent Disney Humor for Young Children | Content
| 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 movie. 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 |
| Rating | | | Date | August 05, 2005 | | Summary | Get something else | Content
| I really like Vin Diesel, but I just could not stand this movie. I am not really sure who the intended audience is. I don't think it is Vin Diesel fans because there just isn't enough action or tough guy comedy. It isn't much of a kids movie because so much of it is not focused on the kids in the movie. On top of all that, I thought it was trite and boring. It wasn't the worst I have seen, but spend your money elsewhere! |
| Rating | | | Date | August 03, 2005 | | Summary | PG? | Content
| 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. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 03, 2005 | | Summary | Worst acting ever! | Content
| a friend of mine told me this movie wasnt that good but i didnt expect it to be THIS BAD! |
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