The Sequel Nobody Demanded: "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2"

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)

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

Verily, E'en Shakespeare Wouldst Approveth..."She's The Man"

She's The Man (2006)
Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum,
Directed by Andy Fickman

Written By William Shakespeare.  Sort of.

Return to those thrilling days of yesterday when Amanda Bynes hadn't lost her mind yet...


The Story:

If you've read Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, get ready to see it turned on its ear.  If you haven't, you're about to get the general idea of the play, but with a modern twist.  Viola (Bynes) is a girl soccer player whose school cuts girls soccer!  She wants to join the boys team, but they reject the idea of a female playing with the guys.  So she hatches a plan to take her twin brother Sebastian's (James Kirk) place at a rival school.  She dudes up and ends up rooming with Duke (Tatum).  Naturally, a love triangle ensues because Duke has eyes for Olivia Laura Ramsey) but she won't give him the time of day...she's got eyes only for Sebastian (Bynes!) and Sebastian ... Viola... is totally falling for Duke!

Let the madcappery ensue!

This movie is flat out funny, from start to finish.

Wisely, they take the basic premise of Shakespeare's work, and keep that, but jettison the language with the update to the modern setting.

No offense, but every Shakespeare update that goes modern age, yet keeps the language never works for me.

But, update the work, keep the ideas/plot/characters... it seems to work.

It may just be me, but that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Must Look Away From the Tatum!

Yes, I watch this movie, and then I just sit back and sigh.

So much potential from Ms. Bynes, and it seems to go off the rails into a trainwreck of life.

Thankfully, we'll always have the movies.

All of the supporting characters are great character actors who support the story perfectly.  Vinnie Jones is great as the soccer coach who brings Sebastian up to the main team by watching the effort put forth by a former second stringer.

I Could Kill You With Me Bare 'ands...

David Cross is hilarious as Gold, the absent minded headmaster, and really, the movie is just filled with comedic gems from start to finish.

The cast and writers make Shakespeare's comedy of identity swap work wonderfully on so many levels.

The fun revelation of course, is Channing Tatum.  This is before he was Channing Tatum!  It's his first co-starring role, as Step Up was on the horizon when this came out.

But Tatum is hilarious as the jock who Viola pines for, and his sense of comedic timing is exceptional.

Channing Tatum: Tampon Spokesman

The kid's got a future in Hollywood.

:)

Good for a laugh any, and every, time it hits the DVD player.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I would say this gets played at least once a year in the house, and I do own it.