Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- goofy
- earnest
- breezy
- family movie night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics generally found the film wholesome and occasionally endearing but criticized its juvenile humor, one-note premise, and stale Die Hard imitation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Paul Blart is a mild-mannered mall security guard whose commitment to protecting hostages drives him to confront organized criminals alone.
The entire central conflict unfolds inside a New Jersey shopping mall under siege, transforming stores, kiosks, and security systems into action-comedy spaces.
Blart's hypoglycemia, failed police exams, and clumsy attempts to stop the criminals provide the film's recurring slapstick engine.
Blart's repeated rejection from police work contrasts with his opportunity to become the police department's eyes inside the mall.
Films like Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and why
Die Hard
shared action comedy, lone underdog hero, slapstick humor, and hostage siege structure
The Pacifier
shared family-friendly comedy, fish-out-of-water protagonist, and one-person-versus-criminals premise
The Longest Yard
shared workplace comedy, physical humor, earnest underdog protagonist, and sentimental tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Steve Carr
- Release Date
- 2009-01-15
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (2797)
Cast
- Kevin James
- Keir O'Donnell
- Jayma Mays
- Raini Rodriguez
- Shirley Knight
- Stephen Rannazzisi
- Peter Gerety
- Bobby Cannavale
- Adam Ferrara
- Jamal Mixon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Paul Blart: Mall Cop about?
- A well-meaning New Jersey mall guard turns an ordinary shift into a slapstick one-man fight against a criminal siege.
- What is Paul Blart: Mall Cop like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paul Blart: Mall Cop as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Paul Blart: Mall Cop violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Paul Blart: Mall Cop as mild.
- What did critics think of Paul Blart: Mall Cop?
- Critics generally found the film wholesome and occasionally endearing but criticized its juvenile humor, one-note premise, and stale Die Hard imitation.
- Which films are like Paul Blart: Mall Cop?
- Films with a similar feel include Die Hard, The Pacifier, and The Longest Yard.
- How long is Paul Blart: Mall Cop?
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Paul Blart: Mall Cop?
- In United States, Paul Blart: Mall Cop streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel.
