Kindergarten Cop (1990) User Reviews

A Film That Ages Well

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 18 January 2015]

A tough cop (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is given his most difficult assignment ever: to masquerade as a kindergarten teacher in order to find a drug dealer.

When this film first came out, it was panned by just about everyone besides Roger Ebert. Looking back 25 years later, Ebert was probably the only one who got it right. While not the greatest comedy, and certainly not a great action film, this movie has a certain charm that resonates beyond the typical demographic for Arnold's films.

The only thing that really ages poorly is the bad guy's hair. But, to be fair, his hair was probably considered atrocious in 1990, too.

Funny and entertaining

[gcd70 · 7/10 · 14 May 2007]

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

Decent comedy

[ODDBear · 7/10 · 15 September 2005]

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.

Edgy, Funny, Romantic, Cute

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 30 December 2018]

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.

There is no bathroom.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 27 August 2022]

'Kindergarten Cop (1990)' is pretty much exactly what you expect it to be, although its violence is perhaps a bit more graphic than necessary. Who'd have thought Schwarzenegger's greatest challenge would come in the form of a class of unruly kids? Placing such a stone-cold action star in a room full of innocent children is almost a stroke of genius, allowing for several genuinely funny sequences in which our hero tries to wrestle with his new undercover identity. Frankly, it's iconic; there are more than a handful of certifiably classic lines here. The flick is also quite sweet on occasion, allowing its protagonist to show his gentler side while still making him a certifiable bad-ass. It's a really enjoyable experience that does exactly what it needs to. It isn't complex, despite its wrinkles involving broken home lives and cold-blooded criminals, but it's a really fun time from beginning to end. Sometimes, all a film needs to do is make you smile.

Should be really bad but is actually really good

[Red-Barracuda · 7/10 · 14 August 2017]

Arnold Schwarzenegger hooks up with director Ivan Reitman once again, after their 80's smash hit Twins (1988) first highlighted the giant Austrian's talent for comedy. Like that one, this is a film that is so high-concept that you should be able to work out a large part of the plot just by looking at the poster. The film does one of those things that lots of comedies from the late 80's / early 90's did and that is set up a light-hearted comedy framework and then throw in a crime sub-plot into the mix. To this end we have Arnold playing a disillusioned cop who is trying to hunt down that other staple of the era – the criminal with a sharp suit and power ballad haircut. Arnie travels to a small town in Oregon where he knows that Power Ballad's ex-wife and son live. In order to find them he goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. Needless to say, this unlikely primary school teacher gets into a series of toddler-related japes, while falling in love with Power Ballad's ex-wife who also works at the school. Before long things turn nasty when Power Ballad turns up and tries to steal his son back leaving Arnie with no alternative but to deal with this pony-tailed, suited-and-booted ponce.

This one shouldn't work but it does. Its story is almost charmingly moronic but it gets by on account of a highly likable and often somewhat hilarious performance from Schwarzenegger, who really can play comedy really well. He is ably supported by Pamela Reed who plays his partner who at one stage hilariously pretends to be his sister replete with amusing Austrian accent and Germanic gestures. Then of course there are the little kids themselves who are often very funny and who Arnie works extremely well with and has great chemistry. The result is a movie which transcends its paper thin basic idea and results in a genuinely charming chuckle-fest.

This is really, really great.

[buppy · 8 November 1998]

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Pamela Reed, Richard Tyson, and Academy Award winner Linda Hunt star in this action-packed, funny movie. Arnold Schwarzenneger is John Kimble who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher while investigating a case. Soon he falls in love with a teacher who's the ex-wife of his enemy. Now he's trying to protect his enemy's son who's also one of his students. This is funny and Arnold Schwarzenegger is really awesome.

Watched it because it got banned...

[MovieCriticOnline · 5/10 · 6 August 2020]

We now live in such a crazy world that this film is being banned from being shown in certain places because of it being pro police and patriotic.

What a shame, because it's a cute little movie. Obviously not a great movie, but fun for kids and if you're in the mood for a family friendly film.

Didn't expect it to be this great!

[pawanpunjabithewriter · 9/10 · 21 September 2020]

Action, Comedy, Crime + Family at its best. Arnold was amazing. Arnold self-centered this movie with his fabulous screen time and stunning action - The way Salman Khan centers his whole movie in Bollywood, difference here is better acting and more sense. It's very underrated. I never expected it to turn out this great. The kids are amazing, the comedy is consistent. The direction and cinematography is exceptional. Since it's 1990, picture quality takes a step down, but it didn't matter when we start concentrating on the movie with so much fun. I enjoyed it. I added the Twins in the watch list too after watching this.

For this cop, patience is a virtue, and he's running out

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 6 November 2021]

If Twins was a suggestion that Schwarzenegger can do comedy, then Kindergarten Cop is explicit proof. He goes from perp-busting to completely out of his depth in a classroom full of kids . . . And it feels like a natural move; nothing forced about it. Credit here to Ivan Reitman who knows what he's doing, but also to Arnold's chemistry with the tiny terrors; it is charming as hell. The surprise here is Pamela Reed, who holds her own as the staryu's unlikely partner, and has some of the script's best lines.

This is a heartfelt comedy with appeal for young and old alike; an expert use of a movie star's towering stature.

two disparate tones too far apart

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 22 June 2015]

Police detective John Kimble (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is tracking stone-cold killer Cullen Crisp (Richard Tyson). He arrests him for murder. Detective Phoebe O'Hara (Pamela Reed) is assigned to be his partner. They track Cullen's ex Rachel (Penelope Ann Miller) to an Oregon kindergarten after she supposedly stole Cullen's millions and their son. O'Hara is sick and Kimble is pressed into undercover work as a substitute teacher looking for which mother is the former drug lord wife.

The setup is a bit too dangerous. The basic premise is to get Arnold into a kindergarten class. That is actually a very funny premise. He is hilarious with the kids. The problem is that it's also a violent crime drama. There's no way to bridge the two disparate aspects of this movie. It works as a comedy as long as Arnold's with the kids and nobody remembers the cold blooded killers lurking out there. Once the movie touches anything serious, the movie grinds to a halt.

Wasn't expecting it to work, but it did...

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 5 March 2011]

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

An enjoyable blend of action and comedy as Arnie goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 17 May 2018]

Los Angeles police officer John Kimble has been after drug lord Cullen Crisp for years and finally arrests him after he murders a man who told Crisp that he's seen his estranged wife. Apparently when she left she took their soon and three million dollars and now she is living in Astoria, Oregon. Kimble heads north with partner Phoebe O'Hara; it is planned that she, as a former teacher, will go undercover at the local school to identify Crisp's son and thus his ex-wife who they hope will testify... they have no idea of the boy's current name and there are no decent pictures of him or his mother. Unfortunately Phoebe gets ill so Kimble must play teacher... how hard can it be? He soon finds out that six year olds are much harder to deal with than criminals! He must figure out how to deal with the children while trying to identify Crisp's family. Inevitable before long Crisp is bailed and heads to Astoria looking for his son.

One might think that because this is a comedy set in a kindergarten class it will be a family film suitable for all ages... it isn't. There are scenes of violence at the start and end as well as scenes of sustained threat to a child that are too intense for children. The sight of Arnie struggling with a class full of six-year olds is pretty funny; he does a fine job in the role. Pamela Reed also really impresses as his partner Phoebe. There are also notable performances from Linda Hunt as the school principal and Penelope Ann Miller as a fellow teacher who has a son at the school and provides a possible love interest for Kimble. The children of the class feel natural and provide many of the film's laughs. The identity of Crisp's wife and family aren't too obvious as there are a number of possibilities... that said when we do learn who they are it isn't a huge surprise. The early parts of the film, and its ending are the best; it did drag a little in the middle as Kimble gets control of her class. Overall I'd recommend this to Arnie's other films; just don't expect the action to be as full on as his earlier '80s films.

Been wanting this to see this film since i was a kid

[CinedeEden · 5/10 · 11 October 2022]

When I was younger I recall seeing this film playing over and over again in HBO Family and it was until maybe 15 years later i finally got around to watching this film I always wanted to see. Some context as i grew older I knew Arnold Schwarzenegger was our governor for a time here in California and know he was popular in the 80s/90s with the terminator franchise. One of the reasons I never got around to the film was lost of interest and time restraint because of work. Even during the pandemic I never got around to watching the film. Now with the review: this movie was ok. I did have high hopes going into the film and he wasn't even a teacher until like 48 minutes into the film. It was very fast paced and quotable lines this movie is definitely for the die hard fans and the ones who grew up with Arnold for the nostalgia.

Underrated comedy

[Horror-yo · 7/10 · 10 February 2017]

People judge (music, films, other people...) according to very strict, redundant criteria. There are very often way overrated films, films that aren't really special but that do fit the general consensus and criteria, or simply, the 'demand'.

But a lot more rare, are the underrated films such as this one. It's mainstream enough, the humor, the acting standard enough. It's got a highly recognizable face and lead character stereotype that America usually adores, a simple enough plot and development with morals, cute children and family values at the center of it... and to be honest, it does a pretty darn good job at what it sets out to do.

In a way, it's much better than what it "should've been".

And yet, the fan average barely scrapes over the 6/10 mark and the critics are just as snobby towards it but that's to be expected.

'Arnie' is charming and unintentionally/intentionally hilarious as ever, the film has simply monumentally cult quotes, it's fast, cute, fun, funny, and of course it's got that bit of hollow flavor towards the end where great movies usually shine most, but it's absolutely tolerable when we're given such a genuinely entertaining ride prior.

A well earned 7/10. Certainly underrated.

Entertaining action comedy starring Arnold

[HuntinPeck80 · 7/10 · 25 January 2024]

This is Arnie's favourite amongst his movies, or so he claims. I wonder if that answer is the politician talking. It's good but not great and certainly not in the class of Terminator or Predator. But Kudos to the big man for pushing himself as an actor. He didn't stick in his wheelhouse and just do action movies. Here he plays with his tough guy image, something that in fact poses a problem, tonally speaking, for the movie and a potential audience.

The opening scenes involve a criminal, a killing, a crack den (or suchlike), a police line-up, and as such are almost cartoonish in their imitation of such things were they to be in an out-and-out noir drama. The music is all over the place, intrusive, over written and then back to being discreet, background stuff. Things improve markedly when Arnie begins his assignment undercover alongside Pamela Reed. She has great comedic timing, as does he. In a way, Arnie got lucky. Think of someone like John Wayne. He wanted to branch out, play roles beyond the typecasted cowboy horse operas, but he didn't get the chance. Arnie took his chance and did well, or well enough, making fun of his immense physical stature. The contrast between him and the tiny kindergarten tots is pretty funny.

All the same, this is a fairly dark film, too much so for the under tens. It's sweet, it's comedic, it's full of contrived pratfalls, and it is very contrived generally, but it's also very sweet and the well acted by all the women surrounding the big man. That's another point. This is a movie, so to speak, on gynocentric territory, and tough guy Arnie is under inspection, and loving the work. In a way, it's a bit like Terminator 2. The most unexpected and most suitable guardian drops in out of the blue and makes himself indispensible.

Not a work of genius, but still a work of immense charm. An ood-couple meets beauty and the beast sort of amalgam-type-thing.

Good fun film

[jonsid57 · 7/10 · 1 July 2022]

This was an enjoyable film. The film is never boring . It has some funny scenes and some more serious ones like child abuse .

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Penelope Anne Miller are great in their respective roles .

The villains played by Caroll Baker and Richard Tyson make great villains .

Reasonable entertainment

[bob the moo · 11 January 2004]

John Kimble is a lonely, driven cop who has been tracking drug lord Cullen Crisp for years. When he finally catches him, the case requires the testimony of Crisp's ex-wife who has disappeared. Kimble and his partner O'Hara follow the only lead they have to find the wife - the name of a school in Oregon where she has been seen. When O'Hara gets sick, Kimble has to fill in on his hardest undercover assignment yet - as a kindergarten teacher.

Looking back on it, this was one of several films that saw Schwarzenegger opening up his resume to become more than just an action star. Here the film plays on his personae as a tough guy (as all his comedies do), and it works pretty well all said. The plot mixes comedy and a thriller element reasonably well without doing either that well. The comedy relies on cute kids doing things and Arnold looking out of place in the school. While it is rarely laugh out loud funny, it is still inoffensive and amusing. The thriller element is average and never really convinces as bookends on a comedy.

While neither strand works that well, they both shine like stars when viewed next to a romantic subplot that at best is unconvincing and at worst is lazy and smaltzy. It is written with so much convenience and ease that it never convinces and the film stutters for it's inclusion. Schwarzenegger is OK in the lead role - he doesn't need a real comic touch here because he is just playing his usual role but in a different setting, that brings the comedy (such as it is) rather than his performance. Reed is cheeky and pretty funny, Miller is just quite plain and never really makes me believe the romantic subplot. Tyson is a pretty poor baddie, while Baker is just plain poor.

Overall this is a pretty average film that has just about enough going for it to be entertaining even if it doesn't really excel itself as either a comedy or a thriller. Some reasonable laughs and the chance to see the Governor of California sending himself up.

Underrated but truly entertaining movie

[Siddhartha14 · 8/10 · 9 June 2019]

Not sure why this movie is not rated more highly. I have loved this movie since its release. Sure, it's cheesy, but it's so hilarious and entertaining. Ah-nold is in classic comedy form and Pamela Reed is truly the icing on the cake. Delightful movie all the way around.

Classic

[sufyaanrashid95 · 7/10 · 3 May 2023]

"Kindergarten Cop" is a classic comedy from the 90s that is still just as entertaining today. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a tough cop who is tasked with going undercover as a kindergarten teacher to catch a dangerous criminal. The fish-out-of-water premise provides plenty of opportunities for laughs as Schwarzenegger struggles to adapt to his new role.

The child actors are also a highlight of the film, providing plenty of adorable and hilarious moments. Their innocent and carefree nature is a stark contrast to Schwarzenegger's no-nonsense attitude, which leads to some hilarious interactions.

Beyond the comedy, the film also has heart. Schwarzenegger's character learns valuable lessons about patience, empathy, and the importance of education. The film also tackles themes of family and loyalty, with the kindergarten class becoming like a surrogate family for Schwarzenegger's character.

The film's climax is filled with action and suspense, providing a satisfying conclusion to the story. The film also has a memorable soundtrack, featuring the hit song "I'm the King of the Castle" by B. W. Stevenson.

Overall, "Kindergarten Cop" is a fun and heartwarming comedy that has stood the test of time. Schwarzenegger's performance is charming and endearing, and the child actors are a joy to watch. The film's blend of comedy, action, and heart make it a must-watch for anyone looking for a feel-good movie.

A couple dozen laughs

[rebeljenn · 4/10 · 1 January 2006]

'Kindergarten Cop' is a romantic comedy film about a police officer who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. One of his students has an abusive father, and there ends up being a showdown at the school. Meanwhile, Arnie's character has some on-screen romance with other teachers and mothers. It's an all-around enjoyable film with plenty of humour, but it is pretty predictable. The acting is not the best, but the children are adorable, and some of the funniest lines in the film were theirs. The romance also does not work the best, but don't expect a great film. It's worth a couple of dozen laughs, at least, but not much else.

Why the hate?

[briancham1994 · 8/10 · 19 June 2020]

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.

Surprisingly entertaining

[andromaro · 7/10 · 16 April 2023]

I have no idea how they pulled it off, but this movie that is supposed be trash really entertained me. I'm not saying it is great cinema technically speaking: if the plot made any sense it would last 5 minutes at best. However, if you accept that this is Hollywood to the core, man it delivers two hours of carefree entertainment.

Arnold is just hilarious, and the kids ensemble adds so much comicality to him. The romance is sweet, and "mistery" is not blatantly thin as one would expect from such a movie.

Sometimes a person doesn't want to see the meaning of life in a movie. If you want to spend a fine couple hours, I think this works decently well.

Funny and entertaining

[Genkinchan · 7/10 · 20 March 2022]

Another childhood movie although not as good as twins but still it was entertaining enough and certain scene is hilarious.. the kids were great too and not forgetting the iconic score by Randy Edelman

Although the plot is simple you can expect great performances by Carroll Baker as the vicious grand mother and her performances should be lauded as well.

It's his toughest assignment so far!

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 13 April 2010]

Kindergarten Cop is directed by Ivan Reitman and it stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Kimble, a tough police detective who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher to catch drug dealing baddie Cullen Crisp (Richard Tyson) before Crisp can get to his ex-wife and son. However, having no teaching experience previouslly, Kimble finds the children a right handful. Not only that but he finds himself attracted to another teacher, Joyce (Penelope Ann Miller) to further complicate things.

Sandwiched in between "Total Recall" and "Terminator 2:Judgement Day", is this light action comedy on Arnold Schwarzenegger's Curriculum Vitae. With a salary of $12 million in his pocket the big Austrian revels in playing comedy. Much as he did with "Twins" from 1988, Schwarzenegger is comfortable in making himself the butt of the jokes. With a crazy premise such as this one it was imperative that he got the feel of the comedy right, something that he achieves in spades.

Schwarzenegger's play off with all the children is good fun cinema, even tender at times. For in amongst the froth the writers still slot in serious issues, issues that Schwarzenegger, in spite of his obvious lack of acting gravitas, grasps with two gigantic hands. There's no surprises in store within the plot, and I'm pretty sure for a film of this type nobody is seriously expecting any. Yet the good honest fun makes this one for all the family to enjoy.

With good support from Miller & Reed, and of course the army of sprightly children, Schwarzenegger once again doesn't take himself seriously. Hollywood, like it or not, is all the better for it. 6.5/10