Nobody expected "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" to be such a huge hit

Not even Sony Pictures, who is behind the film. The executive who developed "Mall Cop" explains its success: "People see themselves in this guy. They love it when a guy who isn't given credit for being good at anything succeeds." My question: Will Segways suddenly become cool?  (Los Angeles Times)

Comments

[d'ep]

I know *I* didn't expect it to become such a big hit.

[NitroPress]

My god, Sony might actually have to pay some people who took a piece of the profits. Will the financial horrors never end!

(See: Sutherland, Donald, and "Animal House.")

[IronOre]

I'd say a lot of credit goes to Kevin James. In my opinion, he made the movie "Hutch" work too.

[Dellos]

Sony didn't care about this film as they dumped into theaters in January, I mean from the look of the trailer this was a Christmas movie. It got hot as young didn't want to see the dec leftovers or the serious films that opened in Jan. So there is really no mystery here.

[Mr.T]

Be prepared for Mall Cop 2,3,4,5 etc.

[angrysockmonkey]

Dont blame me.I definitely wasnt a contributing factor to this , I dont think I will even watch it when it comes out on DVD. i will be prepping for the next civil war.... Civil War II

[G-Man]

I guess that explains why I haven't seen the movie yet. When I look at a big, fat mall cop I never say to myself "Wow, that guy reminds me of Me!".

[elchampino]

It probably helped that the movie hit screens in January, when all the studios dump their crappiest dreck.

Though I will admit, it's hard not to root for Kevin James.

[RockyMtnMac]

I have to agree with Ironore & Elchampino. Kevin James is so darn funny! I catch King of Queens in syndication when I can just for him.
The guy makes me laugh. I think he is very under-appreciated.

[RockyMtnMac]

...and "NO" Jim. It is going to take a LOT more star power than Kevin James to ever make a Segway popular.

[Knude]

I wish thay didn't have to mention his titular roles...I mean we know he's fat okay?

[lynn]

i will not watch these movies; after steve martin in 'the jerk', i just cannot do it....& i can't even listen or watch the trailers to a will ferrell movie. maybe that is it, snl is fine but i can not sit through a whole movie of it.

[G-Man]

'The Jerk' was hilarious! Now that's comedy.

[RockyMtnMac]

I feel sorry for you lynn. It's like you broke your sense of humour!
I can't imagine life without Ferrell, Martin, Murray, Meyers, Sandler, and above all Jim Carrey.
I had to smile just writing their names.

[lynn]

RMM, it did break me. even at times i can not watch eddie murphy; and oh how i loved velvet jones...

i am stuck with this dry sarcastic self deprecating humour. but i do love mel brooks and monthy python, that helps alot.

i am a sad lonely woman that talks and tells herself blonde jokes -- sigh--

of course, i crack up watching porn movies & finally gave up asking my former hubby what the plot of the movie was supposed to be...;P

[Glow]

I think the most interesting fact mentioned in the article is that the Happy Madison production company has produced 6 films that have grossed over $100 million. You may not like that style of comedy (and yes, Sandler can get annoying) but you got to be impressed with their skill in creating box office success.

[USMerc]

Oh, Lynn!!! You are correct about the idiocy of the movies with these guys in them, but that's what makes them great! If they were meant to be serious, or thought provoking, Michael Douglas would star in them! Escapism is a necessity sometimes! ;)

[lynn]

i know merc, that it is why i have to be careful. lots of people do like them. it is why i have a book or my sketch pad and pencils in reach. i don't go to movies, because of the price and the last time i went i fell asleep anyway.

:) i was thinking of micheal douglas as little nicky or the water boy...hee hee..thanks i need this laugh.

[USMerc]

:) I'm here to help!

[mumto3boyz]

(and yes, Sandler can get annoying)

Do NOT diss my future husband like that!!!

[Displaced]

I complained to a friend that I can't believe that movie made it to #1. She thought I was joking--probably still can't believe it.

[nellagain]

Steve Martin has made three decent movies in his entire freaking career: Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, Pennies from Heaven, and LA Stories (although that's a pretty close call what with SJ Parker flopping her boobs all over the place). The Jerk is not funny.

I want Adam Sandler to be a lot funnier than he is. I *think* he can be. Same with Will Ferrel---its like he gets *this* close to pee your pants funny and suddenly forgets where he is and what he's doing.

Kevin James with single exception of a 15 second scene in Hutch, is not funny. (When he meets BBF and confidente of the girl of his dream )

Ellen Degenres and Margarat Cho are funny but I don't know why. Still everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Jane Fonda has never been funny and I wish she'd quit trying.

Madeline Kahn was REALLY funny. In fact, even though she's been dead for several years, she's probably still funnier than Kevin James.

On the other hand, guys seem to love watching fat guys fart and fall over. They made a star of Chris Farley possibly one of the lease talented hominids in the history of the planet.

[RockyMtnMac]

I disagree Nell.
And being a woman, I know I'm gonna stir it up with this remark: I do not think women are funny. Women comedians do nothing for me. Ellen is slightly entertaining at best, but I have never LOL'd at a female comedian.

I think Steve Martin was funniest in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

I LOVED Sandler in Big Daddy and Happy Gilmore.

Will Farrell was great in Elf and (my apologies here) Talledega Nights. I loved him on SNL.

Myers in So I Married an Axe Murderer, Austin Powers, and yes, Waynes World.

Murray in everything he has ever done.

And Mr Jim Carrey who can literally make me pee my pants. I laugh until I cry through Me, Myself, and Irene just anticipating what is to come. Liar, Liar is a classic, and we watched Ace Ventura for the 723rd time just last night!

[Drake Timbershaft]

Small behind the scenes story: They filmed this near my home in the mall in Burlington MA after hours in April. You'd go down there to shop, and there would be Xmas decorations everywhere. Very surreal.

[twerp]

I agree w/RMM somewhat. Carol Burnette is hilarious though....funny women are few but there are funny women out there. Tina Fey is pretty funny too. Anyway, I've been wanting to see the mall cop movie for awhile.

[nellagain]

Bill Murray...EVERYTHING? Are you sure?
what about "The Razor's Edge"? Which he also wrote.

[RockyMtnMac]

Easy there Nell! I love Bill Murray's Genius in EVERYTHING he does. Sorry.
I think every guy you mentioned is 100 x funnier than Ellen and 1000 x more than Cho (I don't think Cho is funny at all)
And if you don't "get" Chris Farley, you will WHEN YOU'RE LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!! He was more than "fart jokes". And since you went there, I now have to add Phil Hartman to my list.

OK Twerp, Carol Burnette and Lucille Ball were funny. I take it back, there are 2 funny female comedians.

[nellagain]

Phil Hartman was a genius of rare brilliance and scope.

Farley doesn't even belong to the same species.
AS for living in van by the river, why don't you stop by and try an evening of fun and games in the station wagon.

[lynn]

razor's edge---sad movie, and hard to watch. it was said bill murray only did ghostbusters(which i liked btw, especially the stay puff dood) because the ptb promised him he could make razor's edge.

i do love calol burnette's show-- it came on wednesday nights and i was allowed to stay up to watch it. the old reruns crack me up.

[lynn]

carol burnette,

not calol--that is her twin like cousin that sells burritos and chinese food out of an old anderson hut in lickskillet, alabama.

[jj2]

Women don't tend to favor physical humor, which maybe why you don't like a lot of women comedians. Still, here's my top five funny women: Carol Burnett, Gilda Radner, Katherine Hepburn (anything with her and Cary Grant is hilarious), Madeline Kahn, and of course, Lucy.