Mall Cop…

Mall Cop Review

02 Mar 2009

Critics rating: 2 stars out of 5

Reviewed by Tom Charity , LOVEFiLM

The media hasn't quite figured out how big a star Kevin James is, but the American public is in no doubt.

His sitcom The King of Queens has been a fixture at the top of the ratings for most of the last decade. His first movie vehicle was I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry with Adam Sandler. Most critics hated it, but it made $120 million in the US - a very good return for a comedy.

Paul Blart - Mall Cop

Starring Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Dylan Clark Marshall, Stephen Rannazzisi

Director Steve Carr

Genres Audio Descriptive, Comedy

Run time 87 mins Certificate PG

Cast details

Kevin James

Born: 26 Apr 1965
Stony Brook, New York

Top rated films	View all
King Of Queens - Series 4 (2001)
King Of Queens - Series 2 (1999)

You could attribute that success to Sandler, but not so with Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a PG –rated solo outing which has been at or near the top of the US box office charts since it debuted two months ago (gross to date: $133 million).

A stand up comedian before he turned actor, James is firmly in the tradition of Fatty Arbuckle, Oliver Hardy and John Candy. He’s a big guy whose size makes him sympathetic, an ordinary fella who's inevitably a bit of a loser.

Paul Blart likes to maximize his self-image. A security guard at a shopping mall, he carries himself with the pride of a federal agent or a homicide detective (despite repeated attempts to enlist in the police, he’s never made it past the physical). He manoeuvres his Segway (a kind of electric, freestanding scooter) as if it were a highway patrol car.

By any external indicator, Blart is not thriving. He lives at home with his mom (Shirley Knight) and his daughter – it seems his wife married him for US citizenship and then took off. His girls encourage him to try online dating agencies, but he’s actually got his eye on Amy (Jayma Mays), who operates a stall in mall atrium. His clumsy, hapless courtship of Amy tells us all we need to know about Paul. He may be a schlub, but he’s a nice schlub.

Mall Cop: Jayma Mays

If you’ve seen the trailer you’ll know that the movie turns into an extended comic riff on Die Hard. Thieves take over the mall at the end of a busy day’s trading, holding several people (including Amy) hostage, apparently indifferent to the cops who surround the building. But they haven’t reckoned on Blart holing up inside, playing havoc with their plans with his dumpy John McClane antics.

If you've seen the trailer you've also seen all seven jokes...

I hasten to add, if you’ve seen the trailer you’ve also seen all seven jokes. Directed by Steve Carr (Daddy Day Care) the movie is seriously deficient in the laughter department. Likeable enough, and not boring, but not nearly as funny as it might have been.

Mall Cop Reviews

Critic's review of Paul Blart - Mall Cop
View all (1)
- Kevin James, last seen opposite Adam Sandler in the gay-for-pay trainwreck of âI Now Pronounce You Chuck and... read more on Time Out
- 51506
- - David Jenkins
  - Time Out
  - 17 Jan 2009 at 01:46
Most helpful member's review of Paul Blart - Mall Cop
View all members' reviews (186)
- - 31
  - 3
  Great
  
  I know this film isnt actually out yet, but one of my friends at Sony got hsi hands on a preview, and i gotta say after watching it i was quite impressed. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 720780
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Sheldonlt
  - 49 reviews
  - Solihull
  - 05 Mar 2009 at 16:20
Most recent members' reviews of Paul Blart - Mall Cop
View all members' reviews (186)
- - 1
  - 0
  Just ok
  
  I wanted to watch this film for a while but was a bit disappointed. Its ok and in a few places, its pretty funny but I think the kids enjoyed it more than I did... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1063151
- - a customer
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 22:36
- - 0
  - 1
  Don't rent this film!
  
  This was the worst film I've seen in two years (previous title holder V for Vendetta). Half of it made no sense and the other half, that made sense, was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1049715
- - MWR
  - 1 review
  - 10 Oct 2011 at 09:59
- - 0
  - 2
  GREATEST FILM IN THE WORLD
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  So good, I watched it twice. It was hilarious and I would defiantly reccommend it to comedy loving people. I have a gun and im not afraid to use it. We all know... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1043877
- - a customer
  - 22 Sep 2011 at 21:38
View all members' reviews (186)

- - 31
  - 3
  Great
  
  I know this film isnt actually out yet, but one of my friends at Sony got hsi hands on a preview, and i gotta say after watching it i was quite impressed. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 720780
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Sheldonlt
  - 49 reviews
  - Solihull
  - 05 Mar 2009 at 16:20
- - 17
  - 3
  trailer
  
  ive seen the trailer it looks good and funny
  
  i am deffinetley reserving this film
  
  Report this review
- 794159
- - jazy
  - 3 reviews
  - Bangor
  - 05 Aug 2009 at 19:50
- - 14
  - 0
  Unexpectedly enjoyable!
  
  Paul Blart is a joke. Nobody takes him seriously as he's a failure in everything he does in life.With a list of woes to him, Blart decides that when the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 737519
- - a customer
  - SW London
  - 03 Apr 2009 at 23:44
- - 8
  - 0
  Boring
  
  I went in to watch the movie with high expectations, but the film has sparingly hilarious moments in the middle of what is a largely dull and unentertaining ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 789603
- - ζυγός
  - London, England
  - 26 Jul 2009 at 20:28
- - 5
  - 0
  sweet.
  
  Saw this last night in the cinema. Good film! leaves you feeling warm. good to take your kids to (as long as they dont talk all the way through or laugh too ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 732619
- - beccaandjay
  - 38 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 25 Mar 2009 at 20:29
- - 5
  - 0
  Not bad
  
  I was expecting this film to be fab as I had heard some good reviews, however I was quite dissappointed, it was ok and was very funny when it got to about half ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 800210
- - a customer
  - Wallsend
  - 19 Aug 2009 at 14:36
- - 5
  - 0
  Great Family Fun
  
  Good watch, great family fun. The story could have done with few more characters and stores in the mall, but none the less a good film.
  
  Report this review
- 805866
- - a customer
  - Harrow
  - 02 Sep 2009 at 14:13
- - 5
  - 0
  Dull
  
  Not really all that funny, slow, no story and obvious. A bit cringe worthy, wouldn't reccomend
  
  Report this review
- 806824
- - Diddy1980
  - 144 reviews
  - Leeds
  - 04 Sep 2009 at 12:23
- - 4
  - 0
  mall cop
  
  much funnier than i thought it was going to be, i was pleasantly surprised with mall cop. the story isnt very original, but it's a good watch nonetheless. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 798294
- - showmethemoney
  - 412 reviews
  - South Wales
  - 15 Aug 2009 at 11:48
- - 4
  - 0
  The Funniest!!
  
  This was one of the most funniest films I have seen in a long time.
  
  A must see!!
  
  Report this review
- 802593
- - united853
  - 49 reviews
  - Wilmslow
  - 25 Aug 2009 at 15:16

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Critic's review
- Kevin James, last seen opposite Adam Sandler in the gay-for-pay trainwreck of âI Now Pronounce You Chuck and... read more on Time Out
- 51506
- - David Jenkins
  - Time Out
  - 17 Jan 2009 at 01:46

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