The title of "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" isn't particularly clever or funny.
But that's all right. The rest of the film isn't that clever or funny either.
In fact, if anything, this comedy from Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company takes itself too seriously for its own good.
That's especially true when it tries to turn into an action-thriller, a la the style of the "Die Hard" movies.
Kevin James (TV's "The King of Queens") stars as the title character. He's a lovelorn single father whose devotion to his daughter, Maya (Raini Rodriguez), and his seemingly go-nowhere job are unquestioned.
Unfortunately, he's a failure at pretty much everything else in his life — witness his pitiful attempts to woo his lovely mall co-worker, Amy (Jayma Mays).
However, he gets a chance to prove all of the naysayers wrong when the mall is invaded by robbers who take several customers and employees hostage — including Amy.
As it turns out, Paul is accidentally locked inside with the crooks — who vastly outnumber him. So he'll have to outsmart the criminals if he's going to succeed in freeing them.
James is as likable as always and does what he can with sketchy material he co-wrote.
But director Steve Carr ("Dr. Dolittle 2") is clearly out of his comfort zone.
His action scenes are more laughable than the alleged comic ones are. (The robbers turn out to be urban gymnasts and board-sports types.)
"Paul Blart: Mall Cop" is rated PG and features some strong violent content (gunplay, brawling, slapstick and child-in-peril elements, scattered mild profanity (mostly religiously based), some vulgar references and mild digestive humor, and some derogatory language and slurs based on body types. Running time: 87 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com