The Pacifier (2005) - Rotten Tomatoes

critics consensus

Vin Diesel parodies his tough guy image for the family audience, but the result is only moderately amusing. Read critic reviews

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The Pacifier Photos

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

A scene from the film "The Pacifier."

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Movie Info

Elite Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe (Vin Diesel) can handle just about anything thrown his way, but even the best have their limits. When he fails to keep scientist Howard Plummer (Tate Donovan) safe from assassination, Wolfe has a shot at redemption by being assigned to protect Plummer's five children, including rebellious Zoe (Brittany Snow), Seth (Max Thieriot) and clingy Lulu (Morgan York). More than a handful, these kids -- and their pet duck -- are pushing this seasoned warrior to the edge.

Rating:

PG (Language|Action/Violence|Rude Humor)
Genre:

comedy, kids and family
Original Language:

English
Director:

Adam Shankman
Producer:

Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman
Writer:

Thomas Lennon
Release Date (Theaters):

Mar 4, 2005 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Nov 23, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA):

$113.0M
Runtime:

1h 35m
Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment
Sound Mix:

Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Vin Diesel
Shane Wolfe

Lauren Graham
Principal Claire

Faith Ford
Julie

Brittany Snow
Zoe Plummer

Max Thieriot
Seth Plummer

Chris Potter
Capt. Bill Fawcett

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Pacifier

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Critic Reviews for The Pacifier

All Critics (131) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (104)

A crass, crude, and overly-familiar comedy.

December 28, 2010 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
Per its title, The Pacifier will lull you to sleep.

August 16, 2007 | Full Review…

Nigel Floyd
Time Out
At one point, Diesel literally wades into a rancid sewer and emerges covered in feces, an image that sadly doubles as a metaphor for his career.

September 26, 2005 | Full Review…

Nathan Rabin
AV Club
Fails on both an emotional and comedic level.

June 25, 2005 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Anna Smith
Empire Magazine
Diesel seems to talk at half-speed most of the time, and doesn't exactly have a natural comic sensibility, but he works hard with a cast of great kids.

May 13, 2005 | Full Review…

Jim Schembri
Sydney Morning Herald
Abysmal.

April 19, 2005 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Paul Arendt
BBC.com
I realize Walt Disney Pictures markets for the family, but is necessary to dumb down the story this much?

November 18, 2019 | Full Review…

Micheal Compton
Bowling Green Daily News
The Pacifier -- cute and cuddly, mind-numbing, cotton candy guaranteed to pacify everyone in the family.

November 14, 2019 | Full Review…

Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
Though it does have a talented cast with occasionally charming moments, it's still bad, and brainless.

April 29, 2009 | Full Review…

Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
It might have been a good career move for Diesel, who cut his teeth on high-octane action, but the script needs a lift and the direction feels lackluster.

October 18, 2008 | Full Review…

Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Diesel has amply shown his star presence already, and he may even have a flair for comedy (if Hulk Hogan did, why shouldn't he?), but he gets no chance to prove it here.

August 7, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
It's almost as if the writers got carried away with brainstorming all the funny things they could do with Vin Diesel's character.

November 1, 2006 | Rating: 2/4

Mary Lasse
Christianity Today

View All Critic Reviews (131)

Audience Reviews for The Pacifier

Dec 02, 2011

The Pacifier sucked, it was boring, badly acted, and terrible action, and one of my least favorite film.

Bradley W Super Reviewer
Oct 09, 2011

funny but it kinda sucked as well

Paul A Super Reviewer
Jun 30, 2011

it had its moments but it all comes back to the disney ending. as soon as the lead starts falling in love with the kids there is no looking back

Brendan N Super Reviewer
Jun 28, 2011

I beared this film, laughed a few times, attempted to relate to the characters, and even semi-enjoyed it at one point. Professionally speaking, however, in the game of establishing a family film that shines as a classic in the light of basic walkovers, this film didn't even put a dent in the barrier.

Jackson W Super Reviewer

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The Pacifier Quotes

Vice Principal Murney:

You mess with the bull, you get the horns.

Lulu:	I want you to have this. (Giving family photo) Because I want you to never forget me)
Lulu:	I want you to have this. [giving family photo] Because I want you to never forget me.
Shane Wolf:	I will never forget you
Shane Wolf:	I will never forget you.

Lulu:	Why are your boobs so big?
Shane Wolf:	They're not boobs!
Lulu:	Do you have to wear a bra?

View All Quotes

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