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A neat blend of rom-com, cop movie, and feel good story-Arnold Schwarzenegger goes for the trifecta in this classic. This gruff, violent, no-holds-barred cop named John Kimble has to transform his physical image and his personality in order to find the wife of a known drug dealer. His pursuit leads him to a kindergarten class in Astoria, Oregon where the tough and scary gives way to the cute and cuddly.

Not that this could have really happened it still made for a fun and sometimes funny movie. The kids were the real comedy because I've never found Schwarzenegger really funny. The movie ranged from edgy, to funny, to romantic, to cute and it displayed each adequately.

Arnie plays a bad ass cop who disguises himself as a kindergarten teacher in order to track down the ex-wife of a drug sleazeball to finally lock him up.

Arnie in a comedy. Well, it worked in Twins so why not do it again? Actually this time around he fares very well, balancing quite nicely his tough guy side (which we all love) and also his comedic side. His interaction with the children are hilarious and somewhat touching at times. Supporting cast do a nice job, particularly Reed as Arnie's partner and Hunt as his kindergarten supervisor.

Many critics found the level of violence to be a little excessive considering it's listed as mainly a comedy, but I don't agree. Sure, there's some violence near the end, but it's relatively toned down. I'd say this is good family fun.

Very entertaining film about a cop who must go undercover as a kindergarten teacher in order to track down a killer.

Director Ivan Reitman, who delivers his best film since "Ghostbusters", uses Arnold Schwarzenegger brilliantly in this unusual role. Penelope Ann Miller, Pamela Reed and Linda Hunt lend good support. This is an original movie that, although not full of surprises, keeps the drama and comedy perfectly balanced.

The children, who are, to Reitman's credit, not used purely to influence the emotions, are adorable and hilarious in a film that is definitely worth your while.

Friday, April 12, 1991 - Knox District Centre Sunday, May 12, 1991 - Greater Union Melbourne

"Kindergarten Cop" is still entertaining even the third time. It's a movie that makes you smile.

Saturday, November 2, 1991 - Video

This film seems to be looked down upon but I think it's main "flaw" - Arnold Schwarzenegger not doing great in a comedy - is actually its main advantage. His physique and personality simply stick out so much in this setting and it's hilarious.

Kindergarten Cop was a surprisingly good film. I was not expecting it to work, and it worked so much better than I expected it to. Kindergarten Cop is a little overlong and the villains are perhaps a little too pantomime. However, the film does look lovely, and the score and soundtrack gives it its heart-warming sentiment.

The script also worked. It was funny, it was poignant and it was well-meaning, while there is also a heart-warming story, good direction and pacing and the action while sometimes intense is well-handled.

I was very surprised by the acting. Kindergarten Cop is not Arnold Schwarznegger's best film, but it does show that he can do comedy, and here he does do it well. He is suitably low-key and avoids being wooden as well. Penelope Ann Miller gives good support as well, and the chemistry between the two is convincing without taking over the film too much. The characters could have easily been stereotypical and unlikeable, but they aren't, instead they have a certain warmth to them, and this is including the kids.

Overall, not a comedy classic, but it works far better than it should have done. 8/10 Bethany Cox