AS AN UNDERCOVER COP… HE’S IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF.

In order to find and persuade a drug kingpin’s ex-wife to testify, cop John Kimble (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has to pose as a kindergarten teacher.

The star reunited with his Twins (1988) director for another odd but successful film where Schwarzenegger’s physique becomes a source of comedy. Sweet and amusing as he’s wrestling with rowdy kids, even if that part of the movie clashes a bit with the bloody violence of other scenes.

Randy Edelman’s music score is unusually memorable for a family film; Pamela Reed is perfect as Kimble’s partner who’s felled by stomach flu when she’s needed the most. 

1990-U.S. 111 min. Color. Directed by Ivan Reitman. Music: Randy Edelman. Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger (John Kimble), Penelope Ann Miller (Joyce Palmieri/Rachel Myatt Crisp), Pamela Reed (Phoebe O’Hara), Linda Hunt, Richard Tyson, Carroll Baker… Angela Bassett. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Reitman.  Bill Murray, Patrick Swayze and Danny DeVito were considered for the lead role. Followed by a direct-to-DVD sequel, Kindergarten Cop 2 (2016).