Monday, May 11, 2015

Review of PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2: Security Silliness

May 10, 2015



In 2009, we were introduced to Paul Blart. He is the bumbling security guard of West Orange Pavilion Mall. By sheer accidental luck foils, he saves his mall from the nefarious plot of an formidable criminal organization. 

Now in 2015, Blart is down and out from familial losses. But things turn around when he was given a trip to Las Vegas to attend the convention for security guards. Blart's overactive paranoia and clumsy awkwardness gets him into more trouble than he bargained for as he encounters another criminal gang in the very hotel where Blart was checked in.

As expected, this is a film where you check your brain in at the door before you go in to watch. It is slapstick and lowbrow humor all the way. There are times when you will cringe and be embarrassed for Blart for his crazy nonsensical ideas. There are many times when you will be scratching your head as to what the point of certain scenes are because the "joke" simply fail to fly. I think the worst one is that very long scene with the crowned crane bird which was totally unfunny.

The only reason why the first movie succeeded and even had this sequel was most likely because of the good-guy everyman appeal of actor Kevin James. James has imbued the character of Paul Blart with such goodwill, such that however stupid or crazy the things we see him do, we know deep down this guy's heart is in the right place, and all he wants to do is help. Whenever we see him ride that Segway, we root for him to get the bad guy. I do not know why being hit by car or kicked by a horse can be funny, but those gags make this guy Blart the superhero of security guards.

As a side story, we see Paul Blart dealing with his teenage daughter Maya. She has been accepted to UCLA, but cannot bring herself to telling her over-protective dad. It was just unfortunate that the young actress who played Maya, Raini Rodriguez, as spunky as she was, did not really share a good chemistry with Kevin James in this movie. Even though Rodriguez also played Maya six years ago as a child, now they look too different to be convincing as father and daughter. 

Overall, this may be a film you'd like to watch on a lazy afternoon for some deliberately shallow feel-good time watching an underdog win. But then again, if you are easily annoyed with inane senseless comedy, you should probably give this a miss. 3/10.


20 comments:

  1. this one looks funny and light . will watch this movie to laugh some of my stress off...

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  2. Why ia that it was never shown in PH? Or was it? I have watched the part 1 and will definitely watch this part 2 film

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  3. American comedies are usually just there for the fans. Definitely relating to your opinion on this one.

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  4. I have this in my online movie site, but have not seen it. Yes, I'll go watch it perhaps Sun. I love kasi funny films.

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  5. This sounds really funny. I have yet to see part 1.

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  6. Oh no, such a low rating! You do definitely have to be in the mood to watch this kind of film and as you mentioned, there are parts when you will cringe. It may be worth a watch... if nothing else is on!

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  7. A light comedy is not for me but when someone force me to watch, so be it. Nice sharing your review Fred.

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  8. They don't make comedy like they used to, do they? I've seen so many with jokes that don't fly anymore. Paul Blart is likable, I like seeing him in any show, but I don't think he's lead material. Just my opinion.

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  9. Too bad, I missed watching this last April. I have watched the first movie and yes, I was entertained.

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  10. Haha, I might catch it if it's there's any eye-candy. If not, I will usually not watch such shows... I've caught the Unfriended though... will share my review with you soon!

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  11. I saw the part 1 and it was quite good, let me try to catch this one soon.

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  12. i quite enjoyed the first one but i think ill wait till this is out on dvd or netflix then ill watch it

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  13. I didn't see the first one and I don't remember seeing a poster of the second installment. Lol. It looks like I'm gonna skip this one because of the 3 / 10 rating + if the jokes seem to fail at some point, it gives me the impression that it's not well-written.

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  14. Well, everyone has their own way to react to something meant to be funny. The fact that yoi rated it 3/10 doesn't mean it wouldn't be hilarious for me. I'll love to watch it anyway.

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  15. Hm, sounds like a movie made for relaxing home video nights, with bowls of popcorn and conversation - and still being able to keep up with the storyline ;)

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  16. Planned to watch this after my trip. Thanks for the view.

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  17. I find your rating too low for this movie because I've known quite a few people who have enjoyed it. We have our own ways of fulfillment. This may not have satisfied you but to call it inane senseless comedy is, for me, very one-sided.

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  18. It looks like such a lowly rated movie. I'll pass on this.

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  19. The Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 is a senseless and light (without thinking too much) comedy. When I am tired, I will watch this to relax and had a good laugh.

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  20. I can feel the silliness in the poster of the movie!~ Time to laugh in the cinema~!

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