So… can we say “Kindergarten Cop?” Who would have thought that Vin Diesel, the bald, hulking star of action films like “The Fast and the Furious”, “XxX” or “The Chronicles of Riddick” series, would one day find himself in the middle of a Disney comedy taking care of children? I didn’t, but then I never expected to see Arnold Schwarzenegger pregnant or as Danny DeVito’s twin brother. This is Hollywood my friends, and as they say… anything can happen. In “The Pacifier”, Diesel stars as Lt. Shane Wolfe, known to the military world as the best of the best of the Navy Seal. Why are these guys always ‘the best’, can’t we occasionally see a movie about the world’s 43rd greatest (insert occupation here)? Anyhow, it seems our Lt. Wolfe has found himself in the middle of an operation gone bad. Because of the mess up, an important scientist dies, leaving the possibility that his family is the holder of some really, really important information. The scientist’s wife heads out of the country to help find the information, while Wolfe is left to guard the five children left behind. (And search the house for the info… just in case its there.)

As you might imagine, “The Pacifier” is a bit of a ‘fish out of water’ story, with Diesel’s character having to protect the children from all manners of danger, whether it be in the form of International Terrorists, or the high school vice principal. The film has a strong ‘been there, done that feel’ as you know this type of story has been done to death, but surprisingly enough delivers it in a fresh enough way as to make it fun. Diesel turns in a much better performance than I expected, and has a sense of comedic timing that goes well against what were used to seeing him do acting-wise. This isn’t to say he has the comedy genius of Schwarzenegger (which is a stretch unto itself), but he holds his own in what amounts to being a rather silly farce.

I do like Diesel, and have enjoyed his Riddick series, but I really wasn’t looking forward to seeing him try his hand at comedy. This was a mistake on my part, as I enjoyed the film a lot more than I thought I would. “The Pacifier” was actually funny enough to convince me to watch any other comedies he might eventually be involved with.

The film also stars Brad Garrett, of “Everybody (but me) Loves Raymond” fame, in what amounts to being the least funny part of the movie. Garrett is a really funny comedic actor, but as the Vice Principal he is reduced to no more than unflattering schtick. Carol Kane, who has been gone too long from comedy films, turns in a memorable (if underused) performance as Helga, the Czechoslovakian nanny and cook.

The DVD for “The Pacifier” includes a number of extra features, but most of them are just way too short. There are some deleted scenes and outtakes, but none of them are very interesting. You’ll also find a couple of On the Set reports with Diesel and Garrett, but again, nothing too Earth-shattering. There is a director and writer commentary that offers up some nice anecdotes, but that’s about it.

“The Pacifier” isn’t the best comedy ever, but it was by far funnier than I expected. It’s a Disney flick after all and worth sitting around wand watching with the kids on a rainy afternoon.

Directed by: Adam Shankman
Starring: Vin Diesel, Lauren Graham, Faith Ford, Brittany Snow, Max Thierrot, Chris Potter, Carol Kane, Brad Garrett
Extras: Commentary by writer/director Adam Shankman and writers Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant , Deleted Scenes & Bloopers, "On Set With Brad Garrett: Unpacified", "On Set With Mr. Diesel: Action Hero and Nice Guy", Special Ops TV commercials
Specifications: Widescreen (2.35:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Disney
Release Date: 6/28/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG
Website

We'll give The Pacifier a B-.