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Paul Blart: Mall Cop Review

Movies.com Critics

2.0

Dave White Profile

The room-temperature middle where nothing matters. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    39

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 38

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    The last name Blart may be the funniest thing in the movie, so that's a hint as to just how bad this shopping-center saga can be.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    Great comics from Jerry Lewis to Peter Sellers have turned pathetic into comedic. But James never seems to able to get beyond pathetic.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    Although Paul Blart is by no means great cinema, there is amusement to be uncovered as we watch Kevin James bumble his way through actions oh-so-similar to those navigated with more blood, sweat, profanity, and dead bodies than Willis. Too bad there's no "Yippekayay...."

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly

    Has a few surprises in store. The biggest is James, an unexpectedly nimble master of the face-plant, the failed jump, and the lopsided tumble.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    It's as slam-bang preposterous as any R-rated comedy you can name. It's just that Paul Blart and the film's other characters don't feel the need to use the f-word as the building block of every sentence.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Paul Blart: Mall Cop reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 12+

Kevin James' slapstick comedy will amuse older tweens.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that since this slapstick comedy is set in a mall, it features a tremendous amount of consumer/product integration. As a result, almost every scene includes a real mall store or restaurant. There are lots of humorous pratfalls -- but the criminals also threaten to kill people and use guns, and there are a few explosions. Several jokes target the obese (including the main character). The language is mostly confined to insults (though there's at least one use of "s--t," as well as a couple uses of "hell," "ass," and "oh my God"), and the sexuality is limited to flirting, a kiss ... and an extended scene set in Victoria's Secret.

  • Families can talk about whether the movie's mall setting makes its brand/product placement more or less obvious. Are all of the stores and brands distracting, or are they just part of the scenery? Do you think that has more or less impact than other kinds of product placement?
  • Families can also discuss the appeal of "underdog" heroes. What makesPaul an underdog? How does he overcome the odds?
  • The movie makesseveral references to his weight, as well as featuring sight gags aboutobese women. Is it OK to poke fun at some groups but not others? Why orwhy not?

The good stuff
  • message true2

    Messages: Positive themes of heroism and the importance of doing one's job well, no matter the task. But lots of fat jokes too.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: An overweight security guard is bound by honor and devotion to the mallhe protects. Unlikely people show extraordinary bravery. A young girlwants to help her father find a wife. On the other hand, many jokes aremade at the expense of the obese.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: Criminals take hostages at gunpoint and attempt to kill Paul Blart. He's beaten up but also bests various thieves. Most of the violence is humorous, but occasionally one of the criminals says something about threatening to "off" a hostage (including a child) or blow cops up, etc., and there are a few explosions. But there's no blood -- just bruises from all of the physical comedy.

  • sex false2

    Sex: There are discussions about romantic relationships, dating, online dating, and hooking up. Two characters kiss. During an altercation with a woman, her blouse is pulled up, and viewers can see her bra for most of the scene. Also, an extended scene takes place in Victoria's Secret.

  • language false3

    Language: A couple of stronger words (including one "s--t," as well as "ass," "hell," and "oh my God"), but mostly insults about Paul Blart: "fat," "stupid," "loser," etc.

  • consumerism false5

    Consumerism: Since the film is set in a mall, tons of chain stores are featured, shown, or at the very least mentioned -- including Victoria's Secret, Hallmark, Sharper Image, Kay's, Lord & Taylor, Orange Julius, Dunkin Donuts, Williams Sonoma, Teavana, Legal Seafood, Hello Kitty, Zale's, McDonald's, and more. Also visible: Rock Band, PlayStation 3, Rainforest Café, and Paul's ubiquitous Segway.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Paul and his co-workers go out for happy hour, and he drinks so much that he gets very drunk.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.298
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
4

by aidanratesmovies

4

Pretty good. by missbetzer
Not bad, not great. I saw this movie for free on nickelodeon just right now. It was very action packed, also slammed with various amounts of violence. Still, it was awesome. I don't recommend you buy this movie, but I recommend you see it. It was also VERY funny, but had some curses in it.

5

by emguarnera

Read all Paul Blart: Mall Cop reviews at Fandango
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