A fun, lighthearted comedy that proves it only takes one man to make a difference.

Paul Blart (Kevin James) is an ordinary guy who has never been given the chance to prove himself. Overweight and often underestimated, he’s constantly dismissed by others who assume he’s incapable of handling serious responsibilities. But if they took the time to get to know him, they’d see that Paul is no ordinary man.

Paul dreams of becoming a police officer, hoping to serve and protect his community. However, there’s one thing standing in his way—his hypoglycemia, a condition that causes dangerously low blood sugar levels. Because of this, Paul needs to consume a certain amount of sugar regularly to avoid passing out or falling asleep. This medical issue has kept him from achieving his dream job and has also left him feeling stuck in other aspects of life, including his love life.

Paul has been single since his wife left him after using their marriage to obtain a green card. Before leaving, she gave birth to their daughter, whom Paul adores and would do anything for. He still lives with his family, and during one dinner, they point out that he has been single for a long time. Admitting to his loneliness, Paul reluctantly agrees to try online dating—though he doesn’t put much effort into it.

One day, while making his rounds at the mall and showing a new trainee around, Paul notices a woman who immediately catches his interest. Determined to be confident, he approaches her, only to fumble through the conversation in an awkward yet endearing way. The woman, Amy (Jayma Mays), is kind and patient, though their conversation is soon interrupted by Stuart (Stephen Rannazzisi), the film’s resident jerk. Stuart mocks Paul in an attempt to assert dominance, but Amy quickly picks up on his arrogance and grows annoyed with him. Stuart invites Amy to a party, essentially blocking Paul from making a real connection.

Despite this setback, Paul sticks around Amy’s kiosk for a while, and after she wraps up her shift, he offers to escort her to her car. What follows is a charming, funny scene where Paul tries to impress her—while riding a Segway. When they reach her car, Amy casually mentions that she’ll text him sometime and asks for his number. That’s when Paul realizes he has a problem—he doesn’t own a cellphone.

The rest of the film is a fun ride, full of laughs, heartfelt moments, and hopelessly romantic gestures that will keep you smiling. If you enjoy feel-good comedies with lovable underdogs, Paul Blart: Mall Cop is definitely worth a watch.

The Whiners

While audiences generally enjoyed Paul Blart: Mall Cop for its goofy humor and Kevin James’ lovable performance, critics were less enthusiastic. The film received mixed-to-negative reviews, with many “critics” calling it formulaic and overly reliant on slapstick humor. However, it became a surprise box office hit, grossing over $183 million worldwide against a $26 million budget. It has since gained a little cult following. (and a meme following)