1708. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)

Starring; Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, David Henrie

Director: Andy Fickman

Running Time: 94 mins

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 is an American film and the sequel to Paul Blart: Mall Cop. After being invited to a security officers’ convention in Las Vegas, Paul and his daughter set out on what should be a relaxing holiday, only to encounter a large-scale criminal operation going on within their very own hotel.

The first Paul Blart movie wasn’t any good, so there was no reason to make a second one. Anyway, now with another adventure with the plump patrolman, it’s pretty much business as usual. As dumb as you’d expect, and as funny as you’d expect, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 is a lesson in mediocre comedy sequels, featuring very little in the way of laughs, excitement or entertainment.

But before I get onto why this film is so poor, I’ll say that it’s not quite as bad as its reputation. When it came out, it was completely destroyed by critics, and nominated for six Razzies, which I think is just a little harsh. Sure, it’s a piece of rubbish when it comes to good comedy, and with Kevin James in the lead role of yet another dud, it’s a frustrating watch, but it’s nowhere near as bad as some of the worst Adam Sandler comedies, nor does it feature anything particularly offensive or shrill to make you grit your teeth. In effect, it’s bad, but it’s not a painful experience.

Of course, being merely ‘meh’ is nothing to be proud of. Save for a couple of light chuckles at some of the most ridiculous moments, I didn’t laugh once in this movie. The humour is generally very predictable and unintelligent, featuring Kevin James falling over again and again and again, and some zany criminals that he has to do battle with.

It’s safe to say that Paul Blart isn’t a character that we really care about, so what’s even more boring is that the film gives an entire side story to his daughter, who becomes romantically involved with one of the hotel’s employees. Although she doesn’t end up falling over again and again and again, her story is no more entertaining or interesting than the rehash of Paul Blart’s action-comedy affair from last time, meaning that the film is generally void of anything properly exciting.

When it comes to the performances, they’re as you’d expect. I’ve definitely seen far worse from Kevin James, and this is nothing in comparison to some of Adam Sandler’s worst work, but as far as comedy performances go, falling over again and again and again (yes, I’ll keep saying it), isn’t enough to spark laughs or entertainment on its own (although Peter Sellers is an exception in The Pink Panther), and that makes the film a constant barrage of dull, repetitive and idiotic gags from start to finish.

Overall, I felt pretty much nothing from this film. Yes, it’s not atrocious, and by no means as horrific as some may think, but it’s still a dull, uninteresting and unenjoyable comedy that offers nothing in the way of good comedy or excitement, and that’s why I’m giving Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 a 5.7 overall.