Kindergarten Cop [VHS] [1991]

This winning 1990 comedy stars Arnold Schwarzenegger in an initially self-deprecating role as a grizzled, big-city cop who goes undercover as a small-town kindergarten teacher to nab a killer. One of the best films of director Ivan Reitman (Dave), this comedy (with some thriller elements) went a long way to further soften and broaden Schwarzenegger's image after Reitman worked with him in the gentle Twins. But Kindergarten Cop is genuinely touching, the story of a hard man who visibly finds his true passion and soul by leaving behind the rot of urban crime. Penelope Ann Miller is a delight as the love interest, Pamela Reed is wonderful as Arnold's cop partner, old pro Carroll Baker is quite nasty as the villain's evil mother, and Linda Hunt--whose diminutive stature makes for quite a contrast with Schwarzenegger when they share scenes--is entertaining as a tough principal. Upon its release, some people assumed the title meant this is a good movie for little kids, but it isn't. --Tom Keogh