Paul Blart wants nothing more than to be a member of the police force. One major problem stands in his way: he is hypoglycemic, which causes him to be overweight and prone to fainting when pushed too hard physically. However, this hasn't preventing him from becoming the mall cop at a shopping mall in Jersey. He is a single father to one daughter, Maya, who also struggles with weight issues, so he tries to be as proud of himself and his work as possible. They hire a new mall cop, Veck, to be Paul's apprentice, and while Paul behaves very seriously during training, Veck seems disinterested in the work. Paul doesn't mind, as he finds himself distracted by a hot new employee at the mall, Amy. He is too afraid of getting rejected to talk to her, but when she seems nice, it builds his courage.
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However, a drunken episode at an employee party makes it unlikely that Amy will ever fall in love with him. However, the next morning, a group of bank robbers take hostage everyone in line at the branch within the mall, and Veck unveils himself as the secret leader of the gang of thieves. Paul, busy playing video games, doesn't notice until it's too late, but when the city police arrives outside and insists Paul stand down, but as Paul knows the mall better than anyone, he refuses. When Paul finds out that Maya is among the hostages, he finds that time is running out in order to save the woman (and the mall) he loves.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's not the most original premise, but the sweetness of the main character prevails. It rides on the back on Kevin James, and he's up to the task.
Best scene in story:
When Paul Blart gets drunk and begins dancing wildly, he falls through a plate glass window. Kevin James is a skilled physical comic, and he nails the delivery.
Opinion about the main character:
Paul means so incredibly well that he is impossible to hate. Kevin James has a natural sweetness as a performer that makes the movie great fun.
