Writer: Ezekiel Lee Zhiang Yang

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Watch this if you liked: "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry", "Kindergarten Cop"

Although this PG version of "Robocop"-meets-"First Blood" is filled with complex, non-intrusive brand placement scenes, it is a simple and decidedly mild family adventure with Kevin James as a bumbling cop wannabe who settles for being a security guard at West Orange Pavilion Mall in New Jersey.

The plus-sized Kevin James sure knows where his market is, especially if you're a fan of TV's "King Of Queens" where he stars opposite Leah Remini. Huggable teddy bear types make good screen personalities, and the hypoglycaemic Paul Blart in "Mall Cop" milks the cutesy sentiments out of all decent audiences, endearing himself as a nice guy, the sort that you can't think of any reason not to root for. He's an honest worker and a loving father, and he's trying to get a girl (Jayma Mays from TV's "Ugly Betty") while beating up some bad guys who try to rob a mall. He eats too much but he's ace at Guitar Hero. That's a sure-fire safe script if you've ever read one.

Although the film has been poorly reviewed by most critics, one Roger Ebert points out that unlike recent comedies of this ilk, it does not contain any swearing or unbecoming elements. There are no gay jokes or toilet humour. Perhaps that's why "Paul Blart" took top honours Stateside in its opening week at the cinemas. Many describe the movie as all round, good clean American fun.

Rare as they come, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" is a movie that knows what it is. Sure the villains are an afterthought and the girl doesn't do much. However Kevin James proves he has enough screen presence to go it solo if box office figures are anything to go by.

Cinema Online, 19 March 2009