Pacifier (2005)

Editor's Note 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."

	Brittany Snow
	Faith Ford
	Lauren Graham
	Vin Diesel
	Adam Shankman - Director
	Christopher Greenbury - Editor
	Derek Evans, et. al. - Executive Producer
	Gary Barber, et. al. - Producer
	John Debney - Original Music By
	Linda DeScenna - Production Designer
	Peter James - Cinematographer
	Rhomas Lennon, et. al. - Writer

Los Angeles Times
"THE PACIFIER is briskly paced but never feels rushed, which allows Wolfe to develop a real relationship with his charges." 03/04/2005 p.E12

Entertainment Weekly
"Diesel fulfills his order to make kiddie viewers laugh..." 07/08/2005 p.53

San Francisco Examiner 2 of 10
The Pacifier, Diesel's first foray into Disney family comedy, is an appallingly wretched, hum - Edith Alderette

Chicago Sun-Times 5 of 10
This premise is promising, but somehow the movie never really takes off. We know that Diesel will be - Roger Ebert