Thursday 10 September 2009

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

At a glance:
Although this PG version of Robocop-meets-First Blood is filled with complex, non-intrusive brand placement scenes, it's a simple and decidedly mild family adventure with Kevin James (pic) as a bumblin cop wannabe who settles for being a security guard at West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey. The plus-sized actor sure knows where his market is, especially if you're a fan of TV's King Of Queens where he stars opposite Leah Remini. Huggable teddy bear types make good screen personalities, and the hypoglycaemic Paul Blart in Mall Cop milks the cutesy sentiments out of all decent audiences, endearin himself as a nice guy, the sort that you can't think of any reason not to root for. He's an honest worker and a lovin father, and he's trying to get a girl (Jayma Mays from TV's Ugly Betty) while beatin up some bad guys who try to rob a mall. He eats too much but he's ace at Guitar Hero. That's a sure-fire safe script if you've ever read one.
Bad news on the doorstep:
It's simply not somethin that'll teach me anythin I'd like to know.
Reminds me of:
Bob Ng Hon Thong a.k.a. Lunchbox Bob, my brother.
Watch out for:
That Segway rider machine thing. I'm privy to a top secret pic I'm not allowed to publish - it shows our friendly PDRM boys testin it out. They're apparently gonna use them. Gulp.
Amacam joker, berapa bintang lu mau kasi?Although the film has been poorly reviewed by most critics, one Roger Ebert points out that unlike recent comedies of this ilk, it doesn't contain any swearin or unbecomin elements. There are no gay jokes or toilet humour. Perhaps that's why it took top honours Stateside in its openin week. Many describe the movie as all round, good clean American fun. Rare as they come, Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a movie that knows what it is. Sure the villains are an afterthought and the girl doesn't do much. However Kevin James proves he has enough screen presence to go it solo if box office figures are anythin to go by.★★★