Review of Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) by Liam C — 17 Nov 2014

'Don't mess with his mall!' I always did like that line, just like the movie. Paul Blart: Mall Cop always makes me laugh and it's just a nice movie. It did what any comedy is supposed to do by making me laugh consistently throughout.

What really makes this movie what it is, is Kevin James. His total commitment to the role and his general likability is what gives the movie everything it needs to work. He isn't an unlikable, obnoxious mess like many other Happy Madison Productions productions and Kevin James always seems to get the good characters which is nice because they fit him. Paul Blart is good character that gets the audiences sympathy through sheer likability and comedic writing. Now don't get me wrong, I know this movie isn't an indepth character study on a mall cop, I'm just saying that they get across what they intended. It's also a great help that when some of the comedy is slapstick that Kevin James does all his own stunts, he's pretty mobile and always puts in 110%. Coupled with another good lead in Jayma Mays, these two work well together and provide some of the movies sweetest moments. This movie has quite a lot of heart and it shines in these moments.

I really do like the way this movie is put together, mostly because I like movies that take place in one location. The first half is just about Paul's character and the things that he does and the second part becomes a Die Hard situation with him saving the mall that actually has a few parodies, winks and nods to that film that are actually funny. I know there has to be some form of conflict but I'd have just been happy if the movie was about Blart and his relationships. The comedy is something I really liked too, it never falls back on any weak humor, it has nothing to do with any toilets or anyone throwing up all over the place and none of it feels cheap or unearned, it's just funny situational humor and slapstick and it had me laughing throughout.

There are just some things that annoyed me because I'm weird, there's a scene where he could have said he left his phone in his locker because that would make sense according to his job, even though he doesn't actually have a phone which actually does provide some laughs and right near the end when he threw hot sauce at the bad guy, I wish he just rammed the bad guy. Also something funny I noticed was that there's a scene about citizenship and that just made me laugh because of what Kevin James does at night during Here Comes the Boom.

Overall, this is just a nice movie that doesn't take anything away from anybody, it doesn't have any mean spirited jokes or poor gag humor, it's just the story of one man trying to save his mall that manages to be cute and sweet in many parts and it's all centred around a fully likeable character. Looking forward to part 2.