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"PAUL BLART: MALL COP"
(2009) (Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell) (PG)

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QUICK TAKE:
Comedy: While hoping to get back in the good graces of a kiosk worker, a shopping mall security guard must contend with his various duties, as well the unexpected takeover of the mall by armed robbers.
PLOT:
Paul Blart (KEVIN JAMES) is a single dad who's always dreamed of being a New Jersey State Police officer, but is repeatedly undermined by his hypoglycemia that cuts short his obstacle course tests. Accordingly, he always returns to the West Orange Pavilion mall where he takes his job as a security guard quite seriously, and happily takes rookie security guard, Veck Sims (KEIR O'DONNELL), under his wing.

Yet, his mom (SHIRLEY KNIGHT) and particularly his young daughter, Maya (RAINI RODRIGUEZ), realize he isn't happy, particularly with his love life or lack thereof. He does have his sights set, however, on mall kiosk worker Amy (JAYMA MAYS), but must contend with Stuart (STEPHEN RANNAZZISI), a condescending pen salesman who's also after her. But when Paul, who doesn't usually drink, ends up drunk at a mall outing, he not only makes a fool of himself, but also seemingly blows his chance with Amy.

But he has bigger worries when a band of robbers take over the mall, intent on a big score. When Paul realizes that Amy is one of the handful of hostages the thieves have taken, he becomes the inside man for Chief Brooks (PETER GERETY) and Sgt. Howard (ADAM FERRARA). With the arrival of the local S.W.A.T. team led by Commander Kent (BOBBY CANNAVALE), things become more complicated for Paul, but he's determined to rescue the hostages and save the day.

OUR TAKE: 3.5 out of 10
When it comes to movie heroes, there are basically two varieties. The more common is the tough man or woman who has the training and/or simple resolve to deal with the bad guys whether purposefully sent in to take care of matters or accidentally finding themselves stuck in a situation that necessitates that. The "Die Hard" movies are a good example of the latter, with John McClane being the right cop in the wrong place.

The less utilized setup and one that predominantly exists in the comedy genre is that of the unlikely hero, someone no one would ever expect could end up saving the day. The "Home Alone" flicks portray such a premise where young Kevin stymies the bumbling crooks' attempts to rob his family's home.

Considering the title, there's little doubt that "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" falls in squarely with the latter crowd. Marking the first time Kevin James (best known for playing Doug Heffernan on TV's "The King of Queens") has had a movie lead all to himself, the film also utilizes another cinematic staple: physical comedy stemming from an out of shape man doing various moves and stunts not normally associated with people of his size.

It's something that's been done through the generations from Jackie Gleason to John Belushi and Chris Farley and more. Nevertheless, while James gives it his all, his timing and the filmmakers' creativity in terms of coming up with innovative antics isn't quite up there with the masters. As a result, it's sometimes amusing, but it never transcends into brilliance.

The same holds true for the overall pic, helmed by Steve Carr who works from the screenplay by James and Nick Bakay. In fact, and despite all of those physical bits of comedy, the violence (both comedy and action-based), and yet another film featuring parkour stunts (where people run, jump, bounce and otherwise flit about in seemingly gravity-defying ways), the comedy is surprisingly lethargic.

That's particularly true in terms of setting up and then executing the dialogue-based jokes and visual gags. The former is clearly the weaker of the two elements, giving one the impression that perhaps the filmmakers were held back by the need/desire to keep the verbal stuff safe enough for a PG rating.

That said, the villains -- led by Keir O'Donnell -- are more of the PG-13 variety and aren't of the bumbling "Home Alone" mold. All of which pretty much leaves the film in no man's land, not goofy enough to be a true family flick, and neutered too much to come off as an engaging action movie.

There's a romantic subplot for female viewers -- featuring young Jane Krakowski look-alike Jayma Mays as the sad sack and romantically bereft hero's love interest -- but that also lacks the zippiness and/or emotionally effective material to entertain or make viewers root for the budding relationship to take root.

Those looking for some mindless and simple escapism might enjoy some or all of the material, but most of it came off as too uninspired and lethargic to entertain yours truly. With only a few amusing moments scattered here and there, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" might just have as hard a time luring in customers to shopping center stores and likely won't have many if any repeat ones. The film rates as a 3.5 out of 10.




Reviewed January 12, 2009 / Posted January 16, 2009


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