Just as James struggles to make unfunny material tolerable, so too does the supporting cast fall flat.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:105
Fresh:36
Rotten:69
Average Rating:4.6/10
Consensus: Paul Blart: Mall Cop has some laughs, but its plot is flimsy and lacking in any sustained comic momentum.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language.
Runtime: 1 hr 31 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:20-03-2009
Synopsis: : Coming off the finale of television's popular sitcom THE KING OF QUEENS and 2007's I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY, funnyman Kevin James takes the role of a single dad in this largely... : Coming off the finale of television's popular sitcom THE KING OF QUEENS and 2007's I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY, funnyman Kevin James takes the role of a single dad in this largely physical comedy, which the actor also co-wrote. Paul Blart (James) is a hard worker, but has never landed his dream job of being New Jersey state trooper due to his excess weight. Determined to support his mother and his daughter, Blart takes the slightly less glamorous post as the security guard at his local shopping mall. He never complains, approaching the job with impressive diligence and pride, but doesn't get much respect for it. It's only when a group of misfits in Santa's Helper disguises take hold of the mall and several hostages that Blart's would-be cop smarts come in handy and he gets a chance to shine. With a deadly situation on hand, Blart may finally be able to show the world (and his romantic interest, who just happens to be one of the hostages) what he's made of. Though the villains have several advantages over him, Blart has a Segway scooter and a big heart on his side. While many of its jokes come at the expense of James's extra pounds, the film ultimately makes its star out to be a hero. With his everyman appeal, James is well-suited to play Blart, showing that even average Joes can make a difference with the right attitude. PAUL BLART: MALL COP takes the banal out of the shopping mall, infusing a familiar setting with energy, laughs, and high-stakes drama. [More]
Starring: Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Bobby Cannavale
Starring: Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Bobby Cannavale, Stephen Rannazzisi, Shirley Knight
Director: Steve Carr
Director: Steve Carr
Screenwriter: Kevin James, Nick Bakay
Producer: Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo, Todd Garner, Kevin James, Barry Bernardi
Composer: Waddy Wachtel
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Reviews for Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Men of a certain size will love Paul Blart - and his pursuit through the centre is remarkably inventive. Truly for all the family.
"I just love this guy," James says of Paul Blart in the movie's production notes. For the sake of humanity I hope and pray that barely anyone else shares his affection.
The last name Blart may be the funniest thing in the movie, so that's a hint as to just how bad this shopping-center saga can be.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a slapstick comedy with a hero who is a nice guy. I thought that wasn't allowed anymore.
The hero is named for a disgusting bodily function that's hardly PG material, but the movie itself seems to be aimed at grade schoolers.
Like a mall, has long stretches where you see nothing of interest and a generally stale air to it. Unlike a mall, you can't just browse and then move on to a better section.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a tongue-planted-firmly-in-cheek force to be reckoned with.
About ten times funnier than the similarly-themed Observe & Report, though this silly, slapstick adventure is aimed more at kids than adults.
There's nothing quite like the words 'Happy Madison Productions' appearing on the screen to diminish my expectations concerning the movie about to unfold.
Oh my goodness, it's a ripoff of Die Hard. A shameless ripoff that gets more and more shameless the longer it goes on...
[Kevin James] proves to be a warm leading man who grounds the movie as it morphs into a loopy heist thriller after a promising start as something entirely different: a gentle comedy of suburban underachievement.
Who could have imagined that, mere days into 2009, we'd already have a formidable contender for the worst film of the year!?
The Black Friday setting suggests that this was meant to be a holiday release, but it’s not hard to see why the studio dumped this suckfest in January.
You can't be too hard on a film that blows up a Rainforest Cafe, can you?
It's just not particularly funny. That Segway, alas, only goes so far.
Boring and predictable in both its narrative and its aesthetics, Paul Blart: Mall Cop is dumbed-down, low-rent slapstick with stereotypes galore and a violent undercurrent that doesn't sit well.
a good-natured, but awkward and often unfunny comedy that bounces from sad-sack pathos to slapstick action parody
Latest News for Paul Blart: Mall Cop
May 21, 2009:
A babysitter's delight! ![]()
More...
May 18, 2009:
RT on DVD: Paul Blart and Valkyrie Storm Store Shelves
This week we ask if a certain January box office hit about a portly security guard in a shopping mall will continue its reign of success on home video (Paul Blart: Mall Cop),... More...
February 02, 2009:
Hollywood's Biggest January Ever ![]()
Thanks in part to "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," last month provided Hollywood with its first billion-dollar January. More...
January 25, 2009:
Box Office Wrapup: Paul Blart Triumphs Again
THIS WEEKEND Sony became the first studio in over a year to seize control of the top two spots at the box office as its Kevin James comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop remained at... More...
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