Diesel does diapers well

It seems Vin Diesel is following in fellow action mega-stud Arnold Schwarzenegger's footsteps. Following a few heavy hitting blow-up flicks, Diesel pulled a John Kimble and is now starring in a family comedy with a wagon of pee-brained children. And just like Kindergarten Cop, Diesel's effort ... is "not a tumaaah!"

The Pacifier is an enjoyable film with a little something for everyone. Diesel plays Shane Wolfe, a Navy S.E.A.L. assigned to protect the Plummers - the family of a murdered professor who created a revolutionary defense program. However, once the mother leaves and the fed-up nanny abandons him, Shane is left to take care of Zoe, Seth, Lulu, toddler Peter, baby Tyler and their pet duck. He attempts to treat the Plummers like any other mission, yet soon realizes that they're anything but a mission, as he becomes a part of the family, dealing with moody teenagers and dirty diapers.

The supporting cast is full of familiar faces from prime-time television. Brittany Snow ("American Dreams") is the rebellious teenage daughter, Zoe; Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls") is high-school-principal and love-interest, Claire Fletcher; Faith Ford ("Hope and Faith") is frazzled-widow Julie Plummer; Morgan York ("Life with Bonnie") is the precocious eight-year-old, Lulu; and Brad Garrett ("Everybody Loves Raymond.") plays Murney, the smarmy vice-principal and wrestling coach who picks on the oldest son, Seth, played by Max Thierot.

While the movie doesn't get too deep - considering its target audience, the kids seem pretty well-adjusted despite their father's recent murder - there are more than a few touching moments. By the end, each of the Plummer children has forged a special bond with Shane. There are also plenty of laughs: Witness tough guy Diesel performing a ridiculous kangaroo dance for a toddler, Zoe learning how to drive, or Lulu's Girl Scout troop beating up the Boy Scouts.

For the ladies, Diesel shows a sufficient amount of skin in a scene where he accidentally meets Lulu's troop in nothing but a towel. And if Vin Diesel is not your type, maybe you'll find the hilarious image of Brad Garrett in a wrestling uniform more pleasing to the eye.

The film moves along predictably, but a surprise twist saves The Pacifier from predictable Disney fare. It's what ultimately makes it enjoyable viewing for many age groups. Forget Arnold - it's evident from The Pacifier that Vin Diesel is more than just an action star.

And that Brad Garrett should always remain fully clothed. m

- Tiffany Hayes, Muse Staff