Blart Sequel Falls Flat on its Face

After sitting through a torturous 94 minutes, I am still wondering how the hell did Paul Blart get a sequel? 

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In 2009, we were introduced to a goofy mall cop know as Paul Blart (Kevin James). This clumsily but harmless comedy was a fine time waster for the little ones. Unfortunately, the madness didn’t end there because the studio thought it would be a grand idea to follow up with a sequel. Another sin Sony Pictures has made in recent years. In addition, James reprised his role as Blart and we are almost given the same exact situation as its predecessor… almost. 

There’s a different scenery but less jokes and no charm this time around. And after years of being the funny big man, I have given up on James right now. He’s following the same path Adam Sandler has taken. By selling his soul to these worthless films, Mr. James is no longer funny. Oh where to begin, Blart tells the audience in an opening narration that the triumphs of the first film were short lived. Blart’s wife has divorced him after six days of marriage and his beloved mother was run over by a milk truck. Luckily, actresses Jayma Mays and Shirley Knight make their exit fast in the first five minutes of the film, a wise decision. 

So Blart needs a major vacation after these recent events. He’s off to Sin City with his daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez, Austin & Ally), as they stay in the Wynn hotel. Maya is torn with telling her dad that she got accepted into UCLA because of everything he has been through. Another familiar storyline comes into play, as bad-guy Vincent (Neal McDonough) plans on stealing the casino’s hidden treasures. It’s up to Blart to save the day! Roll credits. The film proceeds into a rent-a-cop formula and leaves a sour aftertaste in the audience’s mouth. 

I’m not trying to be harsh, but this film aimed to be so funny and in the end, fell flat on its face. There's merely no human effort seen throughout the entire 94 minutes. You’ll get a couple chuckles in, but it’s mostly a silent tomb. Director Andy Fickman (the awful Parental Guidance and You Again) musters his way through hell to finally get the audience to the ending credits. Whatever oddball charm Blart may have had in the first film is completely lost here. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 cruises into town with wooden acting, zero direction, lazy writing and offbeat humor, leaving the film with embarrassingly unfunny results. 

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 is rated PG (Parental Guidance). For some violence.