Paul Blart cops out (Paul Blart: Mall Cop (DVD))

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Paul Blart: Mall Cop (DVD)
Date:	06/06/09 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Blart is a likeable character.

Disadvantages: Misses the mark on every level. Poor script, action and acting.

Paul Blart is one of life's losers. Rejected by the Police force he exaggerates the importance of his role as a security guard in the mall in which he works and is constantly teased because of this. Down on his luck, Blart finds himself locked in the mall with a gang of thieves. With the potential love of his life Amy taken hostage this is his chance to be the hero for once. Can Paul Blart: Mall Cop save the day?

Yes this is as bad as it sounds! I thought this kind of film had died in the 1980's with the "Police Academy" series but apparently not. However, at least "Police Academy" was full of jokes, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" is almost completely devoid of humour. The minute I found out this was a film made by Adam Sandler's production company I should have known and run a mile. Sandler's own starring roles are incredibly hit and miss and when you take him out the equation the result is often even worse.

This has Sandler written all over it. From the perfunctory plot to juvenile attempts at humour the only thing missing here is Sandler himself. Instead we have lovable hypoglycemic Blart, played by relative unknown Kevin James. James is definitely a likable actor and Blart is certainly an endearing character. However, the film is incredibly tame and despite clearly parodying Bruce Willis in "Die Hard", completely misses the mark in every sense. The slapstick isn't vicious enough, the in-jokes don't work and the twists are so clearly highlighted there is nothing to surprise. Add to this a terribly vapid and lifeless performance from love interest Jayma Mays and what you have is truly terrible movie which takes no risks.

This is a film that leaves absolutely no impact on you and becomes less and less believable as Blart battles the mall villains on a segway. Inexplicably they use skateboards and bmx bikes seemingly stolen from the 1980's. Add to this a cheesy eighties rock backing track and what you have is a film that seems to be stuck in the past.

I am struggling to find an audience this film would appeal to. It isn't slapstick or funny enough for kids, my ten-year-old son didn't find it funny. There is a complete lack of any decent dialogue or one-liners and the action is contrived and totally unconvincing. I honestly cannot believe this didn't go straight to DVD as it is one poor attempt at comedy. Probably the worst film of 2009.

Summary: Terrible film.