Running time: 87 minutes
Starring: Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Bobby Cannavale, Raini Rodriguez
Rating 4 out of 10
Never mind a shopping centre policeman, not even a group of the world's finest detectives armed with tracker dogs and magnifying glasses could find anything remotely amusing in Paul Blart: Mall Cop. In the face of the lead character's utter incompetence and stupidity, one person tells him, "You're impossible to underestimate." It's a comment that could equally be leveled at this moronic, alleged comedy.
There are clearly some who find Kevin James funny, but quite why eludes me. The fact that, in addition to starring, he is one of the co-writers means that his fingerprints are all over this. I appreciate that Mall Cop, under the ineffectual guidance of director Steve Carr is aiming low, but having given itself license to resort to any means necessary to solicit a laugh, it still fails.
A big TV star (in every sense), James' transition to the movies has so far been unconvincing, based on this and his collaboration with Adam Sandler, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. His oafish presence is more inclined to induce sympathy than laughter. At least before he had the help of Sandler, but on his own he struggles to command the screen.
James plays the titular Blart, whose dreams of being a New Jersey State Policeman are hindered by the fact he's hypoglycemic. Inclined to pass out suddenly when his sugar level drops, his law enforcement aspirations have been reduced to being a security guard at the cavernous New Jersey West Orange Pavilion Mall, where he patrols the aisles on a Segway. Adding to his pitiful demeanor is the fact that he has been deserted by his wife who used him solely to get a Green Card then left him to bring up their daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez). All her efforts to find her dad a girlfriend have been fruitless, but when he sees Amy (Jayma Mayes), who works at the mall, he's smitten. His efforts to impress Amy all fail dismally, but when the Mall is robbed and she's taken hostage, Blart sees it as an opportunity to save her and become a hero.
Lacking pace and direction, Mall Cop bumbles along from one un-funny scene to the next with little sense of purpose or belief. If Carr hoped the script's obvious failings could be masked by some creative editing, then sadly he was mistaken. Silk purse and sow's ear, and all that. The fact that the film gave its titular character a silly name in a desperate attempt to get laughs is evidence of its shortcomings. What follows is just further confirmation.
Kevin Murphy
There are clearly some who find Kevin James funny, but quite why eludes me. The fact that, in addition to starring, he is one of the co-writers means that his fingerprints are all over this. I appreciate that Mall Cop, under the ineffectual guidance of director Steve Carr is aiming low, but having given itself license to resort to any means necessary to solicit a laugh, it still fails.
A big TV star (in every sense), James' transition to the movies has so far been unconvincing, based on this and his collaboration with Adam Sandler, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. His oafish presence is more inclined to induce sympathy than laughter. At least before he had the help of Sandler, but on his own he struggles to command the screen.
James plays the titular Blart, whose dreams of being a New Jersey State Policeman are hindered by the fact he's hypoglycemic. Inclined to pass out suddenly when his sugar level drops, his law enforcement aspirations have been reduced to being a security guard at the cavernous New Jersey West Orange Pavilion Mall, where he patrols the aisles on a Segway. Adding to his pitiful demeanor is the fact that he has been deserted by his wife who used him solely to get a Green Card then left him to bring up their daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez). All her efforts to find her dad a girlfriend have been fruitless, but when he sees Amy (Jayma Mayes), who works at the mall, he's smitten. His efforts to impress Amy all fail dismally, but when the Mall is robbed and she's taken hostage, Blart sees it as an opportunity to save her and become a hero.
Lacking pace and direction, Mall Cop bumbles along from one un-funny scene to the next with little sense of purpose or belief. If Carr hoped the script's obvious failings could be masked by some creative editing, then sadly he was mistaken. Silk purse and sow's ear, and all that. The fact that the film gave its titular character a silly name in a desperate attempt to get laughs is evidence of its shortcomings. What follows is just further confirmation.
Kevin Murphy
