Rated PG for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language.
Directed by Steve Carr (Are We Done Yet? Daddy Day Care)
Starring Kevin James
A really funny film that you can enjoy with the whole family.
Paul Blart is a mild-mannered, dutiful family man who works as a security guard in a New Jersey mall. For years, he has applied to become a cop, but he always fails the physical exam because of hypoglycemia. One day, a gang of organized criminals put the mall under siege and take hostages. Blart becomes trapped inside, and because of his sense of duty, refuses to leave. He thus becomes the police department's eyes on the inside and attempts to stop the criminals on his own.
From his stand-up routine to his hit show “The King of Queens,” Kevin James is hilarious. And he brings his over-the-top style of slapstick comedy along with some loveable charm to Paul Blart: the Mall Cop. So maybe he still lives with his mom and daughter, maybe his wife left him once she got her green card, maybe he runs into the backs of minivans while staring at the attractive co-worker, maybe he listens to Barry Manilow and wallows in self-pity…but we still love him.
We love him because he is an honest and decent guy who lives by a clearly defined sense of right and wrong. Yeah we laugh at him, sometimes we feel bad for him, but we always cheer for him. That’s the result of a great character in a great story.
Steve Carr does a great job of keeping the film moving but also staying away from all the junk found in most comedies. Not only was it funny, but there are some pretty cool action sequences (O.K., most of the action sequences made me laugh too).
The thing I loved most about Mall Cop was that I was able to watch the movie with my family and we all really enjoy it.
Definitely worth seeing.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Yeah, this PG film has very little objectionable material. There is a fight scene in a Victoria Secret store that shows the bare back of an overweight woman and a scene where Paul Blart gets drunk (although they are quick to show the consequences of his actions). Other than that, it’s pretty clean.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
