In the midst of severe Oscar-contending dramas comes a fizzy tonic for families hankering for live-action, raunch-free comedy.
Granted, there is plenty that should make “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” starring Kevin James, just another manufactured comedy headed for a predictable ending and decent box-office numbers.
For instance, set right before Black Friday, the timing seems off.
Visually, the film looks tackier than any of the stores in the New Jersey mall where James’ security guard — er, “officer” — serves and protects.
Then there’s the matter of a very familiar setup.
A group of slick criminals takes over the mall, skateboarding and BMX’ing their way through the stores and corridors as they go about their well-conceived heist. Veck, the arrogant mastermind (Keir O’Donnell), has devised a foolproof plan. Unless that fool is Paul Blart and you’re holding hostage the woman he has a crush on.
Yes, “Mall Cop” recasts “Die Hard,” putting a bumbler where John McClane once ruled.
Bobby Cannavale barges into the hostage situation a SWAT blowhard. There’s even a jerk of a co-worker. This one is a pen salesman who hits on Blart’s crush, Amy.
Jayma Mays doesn’t quite hold her own next to James, which is too bad. It’s not a good thing for audiences to believe too early that Amy should count herself lucky to be the object of Blart’s lovesick glances.
In spite of these quibbles, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” is surprisingly winning.
Which has us wondering: What is it about James exactly? (If you know, please write us.)
Watching the actor do his shtick conjures warm memories of afternoons spent with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello flicks on pre-cable TV. James is all Costello but with something unexpected and gently exploited: a goofy sex appeal.
Audiences first bought into this during James’ hit TV sitcom “King of Queens.” In his big-screen debut, “Hitch,” he made the Will Smith rom-com more human. Sure, it was hard to believe he’d get the girl, played by supermodel Amber Valletta. But the movie and the comic used their magic well in transforming a shy guy’s low self-esteem.
Blart has his own share of confidence issues. He’s been a security guard for 10 years when he really hoped to become a state trooper. The single father has been girlfriend-less nearly as long. He has yet to regulate his sugar intake and has hypoglycemia dips. Pixy Stix, stat!
Two more reasons for the movie’s heart are Shirley Knight and Raini Rodriquez, who play Blart’s mother and daughter. While mom may be an enabler, daughter Maya acts as the wise nurturer of her bone-headed, lonesome dad.
Credit screenwriters James and Nick Bakay for mining the kookiness of the Segway. The perpendicular, two-wheeled “Personal Transporter” is a picture-perfect choice for the kind of law enforcement requiring a security guard to chase down a senior speeding on a scooter. James has a swell time making balletic hay with the vehicle.
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”
PG for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language. 1 hour, 27 minutes. Directed by Steve Carr; written by Kevin James and Nick Bakay; photography by Russ T. Alsobrook; starring Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Keir O’Donnell, Bobby Cannavale, Stephen Rannazzisi, and Shirley Knight. Opens today at area theaters.
