The Pacifier
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: March 4, 2005 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
30
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews
Positive:
0
Mixed:
11
Negative:
16
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Has sufficient mayhem to please Diesel's action fans while allowing the star to reach out to family audiences. Read full review
50
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
Here's a bizarre hodgepodge of influences: "Kindergarten Cop" meets "Sound of Music," filtered through the Hulk Hogan movie "Mr. Nanny." The formula, by now so overused it's actually formless, is pure Disney Read full review
50
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Mr. Diesel could not have succeeded as a genre-switcher without the proven television talents of the film's able ensemble. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
All very nice, sometimes we smile, but there's nothing compelling. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
Unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger, however, Vin Diesel shows no discernible comedic skills. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
Don't expect perfection, and you'll emerge from this goofy movie all in one piece, with reasonably entertained kids and a milder headache. Read full review
50
Philadelphia InquirerGary Thompson
It's the sort of stuff younger viewers will love. Read full review
50
USA TodayMike Clark
Low on Diesel fuel, though probably amusing enough if you're part of the intended demographic, which appears to be the age group that likes to stick fingers up noses. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
Vin Diesel is out of his element in this lame family comedy. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineAngel Cohn
Most of the occasional chuckles are provided by the spunky York, who really gives Diesel a run for his money. Read full review
40
VarietyTodd McCarthy
If auds swallow this odoriferous exercise in calculated career repositioning, they'll swallow anything. Read full review
38
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Cheerful but mind-numbing. Read full review
38
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Offensive because it offers little more than unleavened stupidity in the place of the family-friendly action and comedy it promises. Read full review
38
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Director Adam Shankman pushes together scenes with little rhythm or flow. Writers Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant ignore credibility, throw in pointless sight gags, treat humiliation as comedy and use tiresome ethnic stereotypes. In short, Diesel doesn't get the help he needs. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeTy Burr
JUST worth your children's time, and hardly worth yours. Read full review
33
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
A yawn-by-numbers romper-room dud. Read full review
30
Washington PostDesson Thomson
With no real comedy to enjoy, it's torture to watch Diesel undergo a predictable change from emotionless soldier to loving family man. Makes you want to spit out your pacifier in disgust. Read full review
30
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Director Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House) can't block a sight gag to save his life. Read full review
30
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
Revealing hitherto unseen depths of stiffness, Diesel stumbles badly in the role. Read full review
30
Village VoiceLaura Sinagra
Disney misfire. Read full review
25
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Ultimately this soppy Pacifier sucks. Read full review
25
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
An abysmal comedy that should have been strangled in its crib. Read full review
25
New York PostLou Lumenick
If the once red-hot Vin Diesel's overhyped career wasn't finished off by last summer's mega flop "The Chronicles of Riddick," the alleged family comedy The Pacifier ought to do the trick. Read full review
25
PremierePeter Debruge
Diesel valiantly but unsuccessfully tries to raise this inane bit of Mr. Mommery above its afternoon-special standing. Read full review
25
Rolling StonePeter Travers
It just plain sucks. Read full review
20
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
Is it funny? Not for a minute. Read full review
20
EmpireAnna Smith
Fails on both an emotional and comedic level. Read full review
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