Comedy is not crime: Mall Cop secures laughs
Posted by The Skyliner on January 28th, 2009Tommy Lee
Staff Writer
Paul Blart: Mall Cop was released on Jan.16, and has since stayed on top at the box office. Directed by Steve Carr (Daddy Day Care), Paul Blart: Mall Cop stars Kevin James (King of Queens, Hitch).
Blart is a simple man who happens to be a mall security guard, who aspires to be an actual policeman. However, Blart’s hypoglycemia prevents him from completing the physical exam to become a police officer. He lives with his mother and his daughter; whereas, his wife, who was an illegal immigrant, left him the moment she received her citizenship.
Blart’s life could probably not get any more depressing. But his daughter reminds him of his promise that she could set him up on an internet dating site since he had not found a girlfriend.
Blart is not hopeless, however. He has a crush on Amy (Jayma Mays), who works at one of the mall’s kiosks, and she is not necessarily disinterested in him. Also, Blart takes his job as a mall cop seriously and seems to enjoy it at the same time.
He is given the chance to prove himself after the mall is broken into by a group of hoodlums led by Veck Sims (Kier O’Donnell), who was originally a partner of Blart’s in the mall cop force. The mall is evacuated except for a select few, including Amy, who that are used as hostages. As Blart is leaving the mall, he sees Amy’s car still in the parking lot and puts two and two together. From here on out, duty calls for Paul Blart. He manages to not be seen and attempts to thwart the heist that follows.
The thing that makes this movie funny throughout is Kevin James’ original comedy. The fact that his character is so devoted to a job most people do not even respect is funny throughout the film, not to mention that, through most of the movie Blart rides awkwardly around on a personal transporter. Without James, this movie would not have been nearly as funny as it was.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a good comedy, but not a great one. Like a security cop at a mall, it is a bit cheesy. However, it is fun for all ages. Paul Blart: Mall Cop is rated PG for some violence, suggestive humor and language.