Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG, 2009)

common sense media says

Kevin James' slapstick comedy will amuse older tweens.


parents & educators say
  • 45% say language is an issue
  • 38% say violence is an issue

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.

Positive messages: Positive themes of heroism and the importance of doing one's job well, no matter the task. But lots of fat jokes too.
Positive role models: An overweight security guard is bound by honor and devotion to the mall
he protects. Unlikely people show extraordinary bravery. A young girl
wants to help her father find a wife. On the other hand, many jokes are
made at the expense of the obese.
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 Café, and Paul's ubiquitous Segway.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Paul and his co-workers go out for happy hour, and he drinks so much that he gets very drunk.

More on Paul Blart: Mall Cop

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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 makes Paul an underdog? How does he overcome the odds?
  • The movie makes several references to his weight, as well as featuring sight gags about obese women. Is it OK to poke fun at some groups but not others? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Kevin James stars as Paul Blart, a Segway-mounted security guard at New Jersey's West Orange Pavilion Mall. Having repeatedly dropped out of the New Jersey State Troopers' academy test (low blood sugar makes him pass out without any notice), lonely single dad Paul takes his job too seriously and lives with his mom and daughter -- and he hasn't had a date in so long that they set up an online profile for him. After meeting lovely new kiosk owner Amy (Jayma Mays), Paul thinks she could be the one to look past his schlubby exterior to the sweet, courageous man inside. To prove himself to her, he stays in the mall to try and save her and a group of other hostages captured by a group of young criminals on the hunt for a huge identity-theft score.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

At first PAUL BLART: MALL COP just seems like another broad, brainless Adam Sandler-produced comedy aimed at teen and tween boys. But as the plot thickens, James' teddy-bear of a protagonist actually begins to grow on the audience. Despite the many fat jokes (which are thankfully not aimed at Raini Rodriguez, the cute, chubby actress who plays Blart's daughter Maya), there's none of the raunch that's defined Sandler's signature brand of humor. Blart doesn't make apologies for who he is -- a food-loving, mustachioed, unfashionable man who loves his job and his mother and daughter and would risk his life to save any innocent mall shopper.

The physical comedy is surprisingly well executed, with James pratfalling with the ease and grace of Chevy Chase or Buster Keaton. Mays is like the second coming of Anna Faris, and the acrobatic, skateboarding crew of criminals put on an entertaining cat-and-mouse chase around the mall. The mall, it should be noted, deserves its own credit, since the movie prominently plugs many a store -- particularly an extended scene in Victoria's Secret. So, yes, this is a broad, silly comedy filled with consumer brands -- but it also has, embodied in its brave buffoon of Paul Blart, heart.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures
Director: Steve Carr
Cast: Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Kevin James
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release: January 16, 2009
DVD release: May 19, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 29 parent & educator reviews:
  • 45% say language is an issue
  • 38% say violence is an issue
  • 38% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

Aprostidy
kid, 13 years old
 
Comedic Family Film.
Seriously, people? This doesn't deserve a PG-13 or an R rating, contrary to what some believe. 11 and 12 year olds are merely attempting to seem cool because they aren't permitted into movies with a higher rating than their age level. Don't take their word for it, take mine and some more matured people -- this is an excellent movie for the whole family. The violence is very comedic and should not be taken seriously under any circumstances; I mean, a man is shot in the arm at the end, but it's not revealing and it isn't that bad. This is a fantastic comedy that will please children of all ages.

MasterMan 721
kid, 12 years old
 
Hiiiiiylarios
This a very funny movie. The thing where kids under 6 can't watch it is where Paul gets drunk.

icarly 101
teen, 14 years old
 
PG COMEDY PUSHES THE ENVELOPE AIMING TOWARDS A PG-13
Paul Blert has it all: vilonce,sex,language,consumerism,and drinking,drugs,and smoking. But some of it is less intense then others. sex is somewhat strong because there is lots of talk about relationships, Paul abousily has a crush on a lady in the mall, and a lady i shown in her bra. Language?????? Is age apprpreat for a PG (barley). Consumerism wow!!! there is so much of that!!! Sense it's in a mall they show lots of stores and games that are sold in stores in real life. That kind of stuff can target kids attention... especially younger ones. Lastly drinking smoking and drugs. There is a lot of drinking infact Paul drinks so much that he gets very VERY drunk. Besides all this it is a very funny camedy! Some of these things actually make it funny! Ow wait!!!! i almost forgot VILONCE! The vilonce in this movie is a little strong for a PG movie theres some shuting, lots of fighting and over the top vilonce. So in my apinion this should have been rated PG-13. But still great movie!!

ReillyGuy2
kid, 13 years old
 
Pretty Good and Very Funny
Pretty decent movie and very funny scenes even though it is a little bit violent... but not enough to block younger kids from watching! And I don't get the big deal with commercialism? Their is nothing wrong with the names of a couple of brands (Such as Victoria Secret) being in a movie. Overall, most kids will not even notice the tiny little details that "should make this movie PG-13". They'll just lkaugh at the funny parts. :) (like I did)

dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
 
The main character is so funny. He needs to find love. He is in love with this woman in this mall but there is another guy who is better than him, that likes her too. This is more of a tween movie. But good movie overall, also alcohol is shown in there and then the main character gets drunk.

super movie ...
teen, 15 years old
 
good but pushing it for a PG movie
I saw this movie a couple months ago and i thought that it was pritty good. But all the vilonce, rude rumor, and language i thought was pushing it for a PG movie. There was tons of vilonce some of it involving guns and there was some language and rude humor.

-_-
kid, 11 years old
 
mixes action and comedy without being stupid

Swit Swat
kid, 12 years old
 
A bit strong for a PG movie but still a great movie!
I was shocked when I saw this movie. It was a bit strong for PG. There is violence. Mostly shooting. There is some language too. Some drinking too. The main character gets drunk. There is a bit of sexy stuff. It's mostly a crush on woman. The main character and her kiss at the end of the movie. And there is a ton of consumerism since the movie takes place in a mall. Teens will enjoy this movie the most.

sports4u
kid, 11 years old
 
teens olny !
so we rated it iffy 10-13 because of kissing in the end and those sh and a words were on there violence ,guns by criminals makes it more stupid i watched it and thought it was too violent for preschoolers so if you have a preschooler don't let them watch it just wait till they're 10 years old.even the Rockband scene was bad because the song was by kiss so don't watch till your 10 or 11 years old maybe even 13 that's all i can tell you.

percyjackson
kid, 11 years old
 
i think it is an ok movie, but parents think twice about letting kids see it. there is lots of violence and language, and it should be PG-13. violence-mainly fistfights, but sometimes they use weapons, including guns, knives, and baseball bats. language-at least 9 cuss words, and lots of insults about paul. consumerism-rockband,victorias secret, and dunkin donuts d,d, & s-one scene where people drink alchohol

 
Good Movie
I watched this and I loved it. Very funny comedy. Most people would like this movie.

 
Horrible
Horrible. Too much violence. Paul gets so thirsty drinking lemonade which turns out to Be a margarita. 13 would understand Not recommended for anyone under 15

PS3fan
teen, 15 years old
 
Funny movie for all ages!
This movie was hilarious! It was a good family comedy, and I didn't notice it, but it was a Die Hard spoof, and older kids amd adults will reckognize this. There was some violence, but mostly played for laughs, with very little blood. One character is shot, but not seen, and it is in the hand. There were some cuss words, but nothing too bad. There was one sex joke, which was "Do you do men? I mean, do you do hair on men?" This is brief and kids won't catch it. They'll laugh cause he messed up. It is like an inside joke for the parents and teens. There is some drinking, and Paul gets really drunk, but played for laughs. There is no sex or nudity, but one scene with a fat woman in a bra. Some reviews said it should be PG-13 or R, but there was one sex joke, little cussing, little violence and no tense moments. This a hilarious family comedy, so don't be put off by the reviews saying the graphic violence (which doesn't exist) scared a 17 year old out of the theater. This is a funny movie!

Chocolate Chip
teen, 16 years old
 
Slapstick Comedy
This movie is kind of dumb, but at the same time it is funny and sweet.

Beachgurl
kid, 11 years old
 
LOVE IT!!!!
Haha i love this movie!! I watched it on a day when i wasn't feeling good and i forgot how bad i felt while watching this movie. My 8 year old brother who i think was 7 then watched it with me. (though i am surprised its not rated pg-13)

winston onyeani
kid, 13 years old
 
perfect for tweens
exterly funny movie with good role models like paul blart. watch out for cursing though

Auddrey.
teen, 15 years old
 
Don't freak out. geez.
Wow. some people are immature. my 7 year old cousins love this movie:) sure it has violence, but it is hilarious. and it has "consumerism" but it's not a commercial. it is not pushing the envelople at PG-13. who even says that? well. let your 8 and 9 year olds see it(:

Soupmonster
kid, 10 years old
 
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
* Violence- Pause- Strong violence for a PG. * Sexy Stuff- On- Some flirting and some kissing. * Language- Pause- Strong language for a PG including rude language.* Drinking, Drugs, or Smoking- Pause- When Paul drank so much at a bar, he became drunk and they show people drinking alcohol. * The good stuff- * Positive Messages- 2 out of 5- The messages are all about heroism and the importance of doing one`s job well. * Positive Role Models- 2 out of 5- Paul`s daughter and Amy are good role models. This movie is really good.

danielvasquezg ...
kid, 12 years old
 
funny
why you say that movie it for 12 years old it post to be 10 years old because the kids could watch the zookepper when they 10 years old ok

summerluver
teen, 16 years old
 
One of the worst movies ever
I absolutely hate this movie. It is one or the worst that I have ever seen. I think I only laughed once. It is a stupid movie with no plot that's filled with fat jokes. It's idiotic don't waste your time

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