Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
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A bumbling mall security guard must step up to save hostages during a high-stakes heist.
The story
Paul Blart is a single father and a bumbling security guard at the West Orange Pavilion Mall who dreams of joining the New Jersey State Police. After failing the physical fitness test due to hypoglycemia, he settles for his current job. While patrolling the mall on a Segway, Paul becomes acquainted with Amy Anderson, a kiosk vendor. However, his life is upended on Black Friday when an organized gang of thugs, led by his trainee Veck Simms, takes several people hostage in the mall's bank. Paul finds himself in the unique position of being the only person available to intervene and rescue the captives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Paul Blart, a security guard at the West Orange Pavilion Mall, dreams of joining the State Police but is sidelined by health issues. While patrolling on a Segway, he meets Amy Anderson, a kiosk vendor. On Black Friday, a gang led by Paul's trainee, Veck Simms, takes Amy and others hostage in the mall bank. Paul returns to the mall to find it empty and realizes Amy is still inside. A SWAT team led by Paul's childhood bully, James Kent, arrives and tells Paul to stand down, but Paul refuses and begins improvising a rescue. He discovers the gang has credit card codes and that his daughter, Maya, has been seized as a hostage. Paul manages to subdue the henchmen and attempts to rescue the hostages via an air vent, but the plan fails. Veck captures Paul and takes Amy and Maya. Paul eventually joins the SWAT team in a minivan to pursue Veck to the airport. After a scuffle, Paul overpowers Veck. It is revealed that Kent was working with Veck; Paul destroys the codes, and Chief Brooks shoots Kent in the arm. Paul is offered a job with the State Police but chooses to stay in mall security. He and Amy eventually marry in the mall on Segways.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 91
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Steve Carr
- Writers
- Kevin James · writer; Nick Bakay · writer
- Cast and characters
- Kevin James · Paul Blart; Jayma Mays · Amy Anderson; Keir O'Donnell · Veck Simms; Bobby Cannavale · Leon; Stephen Rannazzisi · Stuart; Shirley Knight · Mr. Ferguson; James Kent · James Kent; Maya · Maya
- Genres
- action; comedy
- Themes
- Bravery; Persistence; Underdog
- Tone and mood
- Comedy; Action; Sentimental
- Premise and plot tags
- Heist; Hostage Situation; Mall Setting
- Franchise connections
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop
- Reception
- The film was not well received by critics, who often cited its juvenile humor, though it received some praise for Kevin James' performance and its wholesome tone. It was a commercial success, grossing over $180 million worldwide.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: B · scale: A to F
- Production trivia
- The film was shot primarily at the Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts.; The production was denied a permit to film at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey.; The film was the second best opening of all-time for the MLK weekend.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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