inkblot11 Review of Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

Rats, this mall tale falls short but, I give James an "A" for effort and I hope he tries again

[6/10 · 14 January 2009]

Paul Blart (Kevin James) has tried out for a New Jersey state troopers position several times. He has failed to make the squad, mostly because he has low blood sugar and passes out at a critical test moment. So, he continues his job as a mall security officer (its been 15 years) and lives with his mother (Shirley Knight) and tweenage daughter. At present, there is no love interest in his life, because his greencard-minded, foreign ex-wife took off and left him broken hearted. But, wanting to change his life for the better, his mother and daughter sign him up at perfectmatch.com. Suddenly, Paul spies a new mall kiosk owner, Amy (Jayma Mays) and is smitten with the young woman. Amy sells wigs and hair extensions and Paul buzzes over on his Segway to buy one and spark a connection between the two. So far, so good. Later, unfortunately, at a mall employee party, Paul gets tipsy, accidentally, and puts Amy off in a big way. Also at the party is new security officer, Veck (Keir O'Donnell), who has been trailing Paul at work, learning the ropes. Horror of horrors, Veck is secretly the head of a rogue group with big plans to take control of the mall and steal big bucks. When they get the ball rolling one day soon after, only Paul is around to stop them, from the inside. Can this security man show the world, and Amy, of course, that he can be a hero? First, I liked this film, mostly due to James' great personal efforts, but, I feel some moviegoers will be disappointed at the overall results. James is a funny guy, no question, and his comedic talents are first-rate. As a co-writer of the script, he should also receive some accolades, even though the comedy rises and falls like the tide. The supporting cast is likewise very well-chosen, with Mays, O'Donnell, Knight, and others giving good performances. The mall setting is shown at its best, while the costumes, camera work, and other film amenities are nice as well. Then, too, the direction is energetic enough to keep the action moving along. Therefore, the film's real problem is that it is just very uneven, sometimes being thigh-slapping funny and, at other times, generating groans when there should be giggles. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of James or semi-mindless comedy, why not try a matinée showing, when the tickets are cheaper? For all of its weaknesses, James should get an "A" for his efforts here and one can't help hoping he continues making/writing films in the future.