In 1997, there was Volcano and Dante's Peak; in 1998, there was Armageddon and Deep Impact; 2009 was the year with Observe and Report and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Somehow when it rains it pours in movies. I have never understand how movie makers come up with similar ideas and release them in the same year. Whether its exploding volcanoes near urban centers, asteroids hurtling toward our planet or mall security guards, these things seem to come in pairs.
The biggest difference between all of these duos and this one is that Observe and Report (which sadly was released before I began this weblog) is an excellent film and currently on my Best of the Year list; Paul Blart is the piece of crap that you'd expect from such a silly movie - and more in line with all of the other partners above.
Strangely, both Observe and Paul Blart share some very specific details. Both films focus on mall security guards who are reaching for higher police jobs; both of them have health issues that keep them from those better gigs; both are in love with young lady mall workers (who both work in disposable fashion); both live at home with their single mothers; both fight off a tremendous assault from armed robbers.
is dull and unfunny and brings in stupid elements (like an X-Games-inspired gang of robbers who skateboard and The biggest difference, I think, is the writing. Paul Blart, written by Kevin James and Nick BakayBMX bike around the mall, or Segues the mall cops ride on) that add nothing to the story. Observe, on the other hand, written by Jody Hill, is dirtier (which leads to it being funnier), deeper and more bitter-sweet. At times it's downright touching. Blart feels like 3rd grade; Observe is a graduate-level class.
Mostly Paul Blart is silly and dumb. I'm sorry to be hard on a movie that really doesn't aspire to be more than a dumb movie (at least I don't think it does) and is generally rather modest. It's just not very good.
Stars: 1 of 4
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Why do you hate mall cops?
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