The Pacifier

Yes, yes, I know, The Pacifier came out two years ago. But a recent viewing with my family and subsequent discussion has brought it back to my attention.
It isn't a really great movie, to be sure... The entire plot is decidedly far-fetched, there is some profanity, and the acting isn't exactly award winning. However, besides being a hilarious comedy, the ideas presented are unusually good. For instance:

Unlike so many Hollywood movies of this sort, Pacifier features *gasp* a strong, smart male lead. Yes, Lt. Shane Wolf has issues when he first arrives; having never dealt with children before, he tries to treat the Plummer children as if they were his subordinates in the military. But he quickly adapts, treating them more gently without backing down from his principles, and earns their respect and affection.

This is a movie where the love and support of family during hard times is held in high regard. The mother of the family cares for her children and still loves her deceased husband, and while the kids isolate themselves at first because of grief over their father's death, they learn how to work together and comfort each other. Last, but not least, Shane comes to value family, even to the point of giving up his successful military career to stay near those he loves.

Then there is Claire Fletcher, the school principle that Shane ends up falling for. Refreshingly neither sickly sweet nor disgustingly tough, she uses her military background more as a basis for administrating the school effectively than for helping to conquer the bad guys (although she does a little of that as well). She treats the children in her care kindly while insisting on respect, and deals with the egotistical vice-principle with lady-like intelligence.

Be careful, Hollywood, you are treading on dangerous ground, spreading ideas like that. Especially to kids... they might actually grow up thinking that it's cool for men to be defenders and providers, that traditional families are to be sought after, and that women can be both intelligent and feminine.