Critics really hate ‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2’

Rated PG | Time: 1:34

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2” wasn’t screened in advance for most critics. And that’s a shame. Not just because it’s an affront to journalism and the First Amendment, but because we are denied the chance to read even more scathing zingers against this sequel. The few film critics who gained early entry had plenty of pointed one-liners.

First, in case you’re wondering about the plot, Kevin James is the titular security guard who takes his long-suffering daughter (Raini Rodriguez) to Las Vegas for a convention, only to stumble upon a crime scheme led by a dastardly high-roller (Neal McDonough). Andy Fickman (“The Game Plan”) directs. And now for those zingers:

▪ MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: “Hard to believe, I know, but this is a real movie that real people have unashamedly put their names to. Because a sweet paycheck trumps human dignity.”

▪ Tom Huddleston, Time Out London: Kevin James “is here to answer a question that has plagued mankind for decades now: What would a film be like if every single person involved made as little effort as humanly possible?”

▪ Mark Harrison, Den of Geek: “If 2021 brings us ‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop 3,’ it will be some feat of cinematic limbo to set the bar any lower.”

This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Critics really hate ‘Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2’."