Now, based on the title of this upcoming review, you may be thinking that I’m done reviewing the James Bond movies at this point, right? If you are thinking that, then know that is not the case. We are just taking a short break from that, as I watched something else with a couple friends of mine earlier tonight as a substitute. But not to worry! More Bond films will be posted sometime next week, and onwards for the remainder of that marathon. Anyway, tonight, we are going to talk about a film that a familiar actor by the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in. Man, feels great to talk about a movie that starred an actor that I haven’t talked about yet while reviewing movies on this blog, or just on Facebook. Anyway, released in 1990, the film is Kindergarten Cop.
Plot: While trying to bring down a thug named Crisp (Richard Tyson), and his mother (Carroll Baker), officer John Kimble (Arnold Schwarzenegger), and his new partner Phoebe (Pamela Reed) are assigned to find the criminal’s wife, Joyce (Penelope Ann Miller), and child, and put them in witness protection, and testify against Crisp. Kimble must also go undercover as a Kindergarten teacher in order to get the job done. Can Kimble and Phoebe convince Joyce to testify against Crisp, and have him thrown in jail for good?
Friends, I have a confession to make before making an all out review on this film. I surprisingly had never heard of Kindergarten Cop until around 2013, if I recall correctly. And yes, there is a bit of a story to that. Back around early to mid-2013, I was watching a video review of the 2003 Disney film, Brother Bear, which the review was divided into two parts on YouTube. In the second part of the video, the reviewer, whom he refers to himself as Animated Atrocity/Big Man X talked about how, after Kenai and Koda had hung out, and gotten to know each other for quite some time, Kenai learns to accept Koda as a friend in his life. Not only that, but there’s also the fact that Kenai learns that Koda never stops talking. Anyhow, the reviewer then put in parts where Koda kept talking, and talking for a bit, followed by inserting the clip from Kindergarten Cop, where John Kimble yells his famous line, “SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!” I then asked what movie that clip was found. Low and behold, that’s how I came to find out about Kindergarten Cop. Strangely enough, however, I didn’t see the film until around the fall 2013.
So now, I have rewatched it again seven years later. Does it hold up? As a matter of fact, this film does from beginning to end. First of all, one has to appreciate how Schwarzenegger comes out to show his softer side in Kindergarten Cop. Considering that he’s mostly a kick your “a” constantly type of character in films like Eraser, True Lies, the Terminator movies, that’s saying a lot. In addition to this, Schwarzenegger also knows how to bring out some of the most hilarious lines in this film. Yes, many of the other characters in this movie do an excellent job with that too. However, it’s really Schwarzenegger’s character, Kimble, that does the best job with that. What’s more is that there is a great plenty of character growth, first off, with John Kimble. As he carries out his tasks in the way that he needs to, you can tell that Kimble learns some really valuable lessons along the way. There’s growth with not only John Kimble, but many of the characters as well, whether it be Joyce, Joyce’s son Dominic, Phoebe, and heck, even the villains Eleanor and Crisp. Man, if there was any chance that there could be a live show where adult good guys have to deal with all bad guys in adult movies in one sitting, like a Fantasmic type of show, Eleanor Crisp, and her son should be part of that. It’s also nice to travel to Astoria, Oregon, and see what life is like there, even if you aren’t actually there in person. Additionally, it’s also good that if kids were to watch the parts of this film that has the kids in it, kids can learn some very good lessons, like how not all kids have perfect lives. I mean a young kid may think that kids lead really good lives when, in reality, they don’t always do so. Which this begs the question, “Should kids be allowed to watch Kindergarten Cop at a young age?” Well, let me put it to you all this way! If a parent were to decide to show their children the scenes with the kindergarten kids, then that might be okay, minus parts where the kids in the movie say some really inappropriate things. However, to show the movie in it’s entirety, that may not be the best idea. That is especially since there is lots of foul language, and some really dark, and violent moments that might be a little too intense for children.
And that’s my review for Kindergarten Cop. If you want to see a comedy, and action film where Schwarzenegger not only shows his action side, but also some newer softer sides of himself, then you should check this film out. Kids should not watch the film in it’s entirety until they’re older. However, adults are really bound to be engaged by this film’s story from beginning to end. The script is fantastic, the story is really good, and a good majority of the characters are relatable to one extent, or another. Definitely see Kindergarten Cop if you haven’t yet! You’d be surprised by how fun this movie is.
Final Grade: A+
P.S. Happy 30th anniversary to Kindergarten Cop!
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 