Rent Kindergarten Cop (1990)

One of Arnie’s classics, with a really funny streak as well as plenty of heart running through it - Kindergarten Cop review by TB

A classic very early 90’s film, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Kimble, a tough cop who is placed undercover in order to track down the wife and child of a drug dealer who he has to catch. 

As much as this is not a kids film (it has a 15 rating,) it is also very funny and silly. But there is also a genuine charm to seeing this tough policeman who can handle criminals all day long being totally out of his depth when confronted with a classroom of screaming unruly children. Arnold also shows his ability in transitioning to comedy film and there is a real joy in watching him slowly be won over. For almost everyone at that time, he was quite simply the Terminator, so this was a very clever career move for him. 

There is, within the comedy, some unbelievably funny moments. My absolute favourite was a scene where, no word of a lie, Kimble chases after a bad guy and pulls a Magnum out of a foot holster. The fact that this is done totally “straight” with no irony just makes it funnier. There are also some of Arnie’s most famous sayings in this film, including “It’s not a tumour!”

As much as there are certain elements which don’t really work, that doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. This film a riot, gloriously silly and a classic within Arnie’s filmography. It also has a lovely, heartwarming undertone, which perfectly compliments the film overall.