Rated PG
Starring Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Neal McDonough
Directed by Andy Fickman
The Story:
Years since his Black Friday heroics, Paul Blart (James) never imagined his life would be so lonely. Left by his bride, his mother hit by a bus, he only has his daughter (Rodriguez) and his job, both of which he loves so very much. When he receives an invitation to the Mall Security Convention in Vegas, he takes his daughter on a trip. Naturally, a high roller (McDonough) comes to towns with an elaborate heist plan, which only Paul Blart: Mall Cop can stop.
First, I will be perfectly honest and say that I quite enjoyed Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
The original movie.
It was a cute concept, and had a lot of fun offering a "Die Hard in a Mall" concept with comedic execution.
However, 6 years later, a sequel rolls out for a film that frankly didn't require one.
Which is a lesson that many movies should accept: Not every film is a franchise.
Mall Cop 2 suffers from wanting to do too much, at least that's how it appeared from where I was sitting.
Relationship angle: check.
Father/daughter angle: check.
Defiant teenager angle: check.
Blart out of Water angle: check.
Paul not quite accepted by his peers angle: check.
And on, and on, and on.
Losing focus on what made Paul Blart an engaging film was concentrate on Paul, mistakes and all, foiling a crime because he loves what he does, and security is his business.
When Paul Blart 2 focuses on that, the movie picks back up. Unfortunately, it lasts for a fleeting few moments before the focus shifts to one of the other myriad of subplots.
Plus, no offense, but you don't hire McDonough to play the bad guy, and then barely give him any screen time!
It's a shame I didn't enjoy it more.
Thankfully, I can still go back and enjoy the first one again.
Memo to Kevin James: Please don't make Here Comes the Boom 2. Thanks!
Final Grade: C
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