 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
- Review Date: January 15, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Kevin James' slapstick comedy will amuse older tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 4, 2010
AGE
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
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 16, 2009
AGE
Hiiiiiylarios
This a very funny movie. The thing where kids under 6 can't watch it is where Paul gets drunk.
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AGE
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!!
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AGE
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)
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AGE
perfect for tweens
exterly funny movie with good role models like paul blart. watch out for cursing though
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Kid, 11 years old
February 17, 2011
AGE
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.
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AGE
Slapstick Comedy
This movie is kind of dumb, but at the same time it is funny and sweet.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 28, 2010
AGE
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.
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| Topics: | misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Steve Carr |
| Cast: | Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Kevin James |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 97 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 16, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | May 19, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language |
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