Mamamontezz's Mental Rumpus Room

The Pacifier

Let me preface this entire thing by saying that I am not a big Vin Diesel fan. His sibilent lisping speech drives me nuts, and not in the "warm fuzzy" way.

That said, I went to see the new Disney feature, The Pacifier, this afternoon with the Spousal Unit and Progeny. And after the silliness that was supposed to pass as a Navy SEAL mission in the first few moments, and the fact that a SEAL kept refering to others as "Soldiers" and never called anyone out for calling him a "Soldier," I have to say I rather enjoyed the movie.

The premise was farfetched, a Navy SEAL protecting a famly and turning into a nanny, but given that, I was entertained by how he had to adjust to his charges, as well as how they ultimately adjusted to his quirks and idiocyncracies. The kids were kids, the teens weren't entirely "cartoon teens" and the Ninjas were a hoot.

You want a move that puts a man in a good light? Lets him be a man and not look ridiculous? Shows him being strong and a good influence, vulnerable but not stupid? Well, this does that. He makes the best of a very bad situation, and does it on his own terms.

Yes, it's light family entertainment. But I'm so sick of buffoonish charicatures of "father figures" that this was refreshing.

Matinee material to be sure, but worth that. Just be prepared for a hysterical performance by Carol Kane in a small role in the first half of the movie. Just delightful. And Scott Campbell from Kids In The Hall was every pretentious amateur theatre hack director I have ever seen, rolled into one very funny package.

Pack the kids in the mini-van and head to the multiplex. And take an extra napkin from the snackbar. You'll get something in your eye during the final sequence.

Posted by Mamamontezz at March 13, 2005 06:38 PM