Kindergarten Cop Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A super buff cop goes undercover to teach tiny humans, yells at them a lot, and somehow finds love and saves the day from a truly greasy villain.

🍿 Kindergarten Cop: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Undercover Assignment

Detective John Kimble, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is after drug kingpin Cullen Crisp. To get to Crisp, Kimble must find Crisp’s ex-wife, Rachel, who fled with their son. The only lead is the school in Astoria, Oregon, where her son attends kindergarten. Detective Phoebe O’Hara, a former teacher, is assigned to go undercover, but falls ill.

Mr. Kimble the Teacher

Kimble is forced to take on the undercover role as a kindergarten teacher. Ill-equipped for dealing with five-year-olds, he initially struggles to control the class. He eventually uses his police training techniques, turning the classroom into a structured and disciplined environment. This wins the children over and he begins to enjoy teaching.

Identifying the Target

As Kimble settles into his role, he tries to identify which child is Crisp’s son. He becomes close to Joyce Palmieri, a fellow teacher and mother of Dominic. Through conversations and observations, Kimble suspects that Joyce is Rachel Crisp and Dominic is Cullen Crisp’s son. O’Hara confirms Kimble’s suspicions, solidifying their target.

Crisp’s Pursuit

Meanwhile, Cullen Crisp is released from prison after a key witness dies. He heads to Astoria with his mother, Eleanor, to find Rachel and his son. They identify Joyce and Dominic, leading to a confrontation at the school. Crisp starts a fire to cause chaos and kidnap his son.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Det. John Kimble (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A tough detective who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher to find a criminal’s ex-wife, discovering a softer side along the way.
• Joyce (Penelope Ann Miller): The target of Kimble’s investigation, a woman hiding from her dangerous ex-husband while protecting her son.
• Det. Phoebe O’Hara (Pamela Reed): Kimble’s partner, who initially planned to go undercover, and provides comedic support and assistance.
• Cullen Crisp (Richard Tyson): The ruthless drug dealer and estranged husband seeking his ex-wife and son, posing a threat to their safety.
• Eleanor Crisp (Carroll Baker): The overbearing and equally dangerous mother of Cullen Crisp, aiding him in his pursuit.
• Miss Schlowski (Linda Hunt): The stern but fair principal of the elementary school, initially skeptical of Kimble’s teaching abilities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Detective John Kimble: “It’s not a tumor!” – Kimble shouts this to Lowell after Lowell suggests his headache might be a tumor, delivering it with unexpected intensity.
• Detective John Kimble: “Who is your daddy, and what does he do?” – Kimble uses this line, originally from the movie ‘Animal House’, to try and intimidate a child into revealing information, but it backfires humorously.
• Dominic: “Boys have a penis, girls have a vagina.” – Dominic matter-of-factly responds to Kimble’s question about anatomical differences, leading to an awkward but funny moment.
• Detective John Kimble: “I’m the party pooper.” – Kimble delivers this one-liner before taking down some criminals, showcasing his tough-guy side.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $91,457,688
• Worldwide Gross: $201,957,688

💥 Kindergarten Cop Reviews

Personal Review

I loved this movie as a kid, and it still holds up for me! Arnold is hilarious trying to wrangle those kids, and the ‘It’s not a tumor!’ line is iconic. Seeing him go from tough cop to caring teacher is surprisingly heartwarming. The ending shootout feels a little out of place, but overall, it’s a fun, feel-good movie that I can watch again and again. I especially enjoy seeing all the 90s fashion and Oregon scenery.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comedic roles”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-comedy films”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted movie with heartwarming elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief scenes of child abuse”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Ebert praised Schwarzenegger’s surprising comedic timing and the film’s ability to balance action and humor effectively. He noted it was a departure from Schwarzenegger’s typical roles, and he pulled it off with aplomb, creating a genuinely enjoyable family film.
• Variety: “Variety pointed out that while the premise is absurd, Schwarzenegger manages to make it work. The reviewer appreciated the clever writing and the way the movie gently pokes fun at both Schwarzenegger’s persona and the clichés of cop movies.

Audience Reactions

The interactions between Arnold and the kids are genuinely funny and heartwarming.: Viewers consistently praise Schwarzenegger’s comedic performance and the film’s ability to blend action and comedy.

Overall Consensus: A fun, if somewhat uneven, blend of action and comedy, elevated by Schwarzenegger’s surprisingly adept comedic performance and the charm of the child actors.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Arnold Schwarzenegger has stated that Kindergarten Cop is one of his personal favorite roles, as it allowed him to explore a different side of acting compared to his usual action-hero persona.”
• “Many of the children in the film had never acted before, contributing to the realistic and spontaneous feel of their performances.”
• “The filmmakers chose Astoria, Oregon, for its picturesque scenery, enhancing the film’s visual appeal and small-town charm.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kindergarten Cop?

Kindergarten Cop is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video (for rental or purchase), Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Availability may vary depending on your region, so check your local streaming services for options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kindergarten Cop, you might like these similar films:

• Twins (1988): Also starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by Ivan Reitman, this comedy explores a similar comedic dynamic of contrasting personalities.
• Big (1988): Explores the theme of an adult adapting to a childlike environment, providing humor and heart.
• The Pacifier (2005): Vin Diesel plays a tough Navy SEAL who becomes a nanny to protect children, similar to the ‘tough guy in a domestic setting’ concept.
• School of Rock (2003): A substitute teacher brings unconventional methods to a classroom, creating humor and bonding with the students.

🛒 Kindergarten Cop Related Products

• Kindergarten Cop [Blu-ray]: Relive the 90s comedy classic with this high-definition Blu-ray edition. Perfect for collectors and fans alike, showcasing improved picture and sound quality. A must-have for Schwarzenegger enthusiasts.
• Kindergarten Cop Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster, capturing the iconic image of Arnold with his kindergarten class. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding a touch of 90s nostalgia to any room.
• Kindergarten Cop T-Shirt – ‘It’s Not a Tumor’: Show off your love for this cult classic with a t-shirt featuring Arnold’s unforgettable line. Available in various sizes and colors. Comfortable and stylish, perfect for casual wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kindergarten Cop features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Party Starts Now!” – performed by Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

It’s not a Toomah!

Watch Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hilarious and unforgettable quote from Kindergarten Cop. This iconic line is sure to make you laugh and remind you of the movie’s comedic brilliance.

Did you know that in KINDERGARDEN COP…

Did you know that there was no bathroom on the set of Kindergarten Cop? This quick video shares a fun fact from the movie that you probably didn’t know!

✨ Rate