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Paul Blart: Mall Cop Review

Release Date: Jan 16, 2009
Rated: some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language
Runtime: 1 hr. 27 min.
Genres: Comedy
Director:Steve Carr
Cast:Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Jayma Mays, Raini Rodriguez, Shirley Knight. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

2.0

Dave White Profile <h3>Dave White</h3> <p><strong>Your Movies.com Man at the Multiplex</strong></p> <br /> <p>Dave White's first movie review was of the animated feature Snoopy Come Home. He was seven years old...<a href="http://www.movies.com/movie-reviews/dave-white">Read full profile</a></p>

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.

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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.

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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...."

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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.

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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.

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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

Messages: Positive themes of heroism and the importance of doing one's job well, no matter the task. But lots of fat jokes too.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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 CafÃ©, and Paul's ubiquitous Segway.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Paul and his co-workers go out for happy hour, and he drinks so much that he gets very drunk.

Common Sense Media

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