A by-the-books Disney family film. If this is what you are looking for, Diesel delivers an easy, goodwill charm. The preview audience embraced it.
The Pacifier (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:126
Fresh:26
Rotten:100
Average Rating:3.7/10
Consensus: Vin Diesel parodies his tough guy image for the family audience, but the result is only moderately amusing.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for action violence, language and rude humor.
Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release:Mar 4, 2005 Wide
Box Office: $113,006,880
Synopsis: Vin Diesel is great as a navy seal turned babysitter in this kid-friendly action comedy. A botched rescue mission (brimming with stunts) results in the death of a scientist and the hospitalization... Vin Diesel is great as a navy seal turned babysitter in this kid-friendly action comedy. A botched rescue mission (brimming with stunts) results in the death of a scientist and the hospitalization of seal team-leader Shane Wolf (Diesel). Once he recovers, he is assigned to duty as a bodyguard for the dead man's family. But even for a seal--toughened to the point of stoniness--dealing with the chaos, smells, noises, and complexities of a large, fatherless family proves to be a heavy challenge. The kids don't like his authoritative ways and they have no problem defying him at every turn. Eventually everybody bonds and while the family teaches him to listen and relax, he teaches them the combat skills they need to succeed in suburban Los Angeles. It's all very funny but the film really works best as a showcase for the range of Diesel; he takes his pratfalls in stride, his character's devotion to military discipline and honor is inspiring; and his bonding with the family is sweet without being saccharine. What's more, he still gets the chance to kick some serious bad-guy butt. Lauren Graham (BAD SANTA) plays the kindly grade school principal and love interest. EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND's Brad Garrett is hilarious as a sadistic wrestling coach. There's also a crotch-biting pet duck, ninjas, sewer-diving, a troop of kung fu-fighting girl scouts, and the hilarious "Panda Dance." [More]
Starring: Vin Diesel, Lauren Graham, Faith Ford, Carol Kane
Starring: Vin Diesel, Lauren Graham, Faith Ford, Carol Kane, Brad Garrett, Morgan York, Max Thierot, Brittany Snow
Director: Adam Shankman
Director: Adam Shankman
Screenwriter: Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant
Producer: Robert Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Jennifer Gibgot
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
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Release:
Aug 16, 2006
Reviews for The Pacifier
Vin Diesel finally does a decent film. This isn't a laugh out loud comedy but it is a pleasant experience that will give you a few chuckles. Worth a matinee ticket.
The tinny dialogue of the clumsy screenplay stumbles over the simplest moments of exposition and revelation and Adam Shankman's anonymous direction is plodding at best...
As stinky as the diapers star Vin Diesel constantly keeps sticking his hands in.
The good news is that the film accelerates just when Vin Diesel’s acting ability starts to wane.
Vin Diesel is better than the material, but, no matter how hard he tries, he can't rise above the puerile screenplay.
Following in the footsteps of the Arnolds and the Sylvesters before him, Vin Diesel pulls off a nice comic performance in the otherwise gushy The Pacifier.
The movie plays like it was cobbled together from sheetrock and carpet tacks, this makes The Pacifier just worth your children's time, and hardly worth yours.
To those who think critics are too hard on movies...I ask, can you tell the difference between a Pacifier and a School of Rock? Family films don't have to suck.
I realize this is The Pacifier and not Vera Drake, but how this film strains credulity smacks of contempt for a paying audience
Recycled material through and through, and what it offers in the affability of its star is countered with a mean streak of humiliation passed off as humor.
The Pacifier is low on Diesel fuel, though probably amusing enough if you're part of the intended demographic.
For what it is--lazily written fluff--the film's extremely entertaining.
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
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| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
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