'Blart,' 'Observe and Report': Mall-cop comparison shopping
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<STRONG>Kevin James: </STRONG>He&nbsp;goes up against a gang of extreme-sports enthusiasts in <EM>Paul Blart: Mall Cop</EM>.
 EnlargeColumbia Pictures
Kevin James: He goes up against a gang of extreme-sports enthusiasts in Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
<STRONG>Seth Rogen:</STRONG>&nbsp; The vigilante security guard tackles a flasher in <EM>Observe and Report</EM>. 
 EnlargeWarner Bros.
Seth Rogen:  The vigilante security guard tackles a flasher in Observe and Report.

If Hollywood deigns Truman Capote worthy of two biopics within a year's span (Capote and Infamous), why not mall-cop comedies? The good-natured Paul Blart: Mall Cop came first, followed by darker Observe and Report, just out. Tonally, the films couldn't be more different than powdered sugar and battery acid. Still, they share more than a few plot points. How the two stack up:

Cops in question
Paul Blart: King of Queens funnyman Kevin James rides a Segway as a retail avenger who takes down a thieving gang of extreme-sports enthusiasts.
Observe and Report: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie Barnhardt, a mentally unstable security guard who turns vigilante to take down a flasher on a overcoat-flapping rampage.

Home life
Paul Blart: The divorced dad shares a humble abode with his tween daughter and well-meaning, doting mother (Shirley Knight)
Observe and Report: The single guy shares a humble abode with his hard-drinking mother (Celia Weston)

Object of desire
Paul Blart: Amy (Jayma Mays), a doe-eyed strawberry-blonde who works at Unbeweavable, a hair-extension kiosk
Observe and Report: Brandi (Anna Faris), a boozy blonde tart who hawks makeup

Taste of romance
Paul Blart: A sweet kiss is shared as a reward
Observe and Report: Carnal knowledge is shared with a mostly comatose Brandi after her tequila-and-pill binge

Stalker habits
Paul Blart: Stares at Amy while monitoring security cameras
Observe and Report: Escorts Brandi via golf cart to her car but refuses to drop her off until she agrees to go on a date

Medical condition; remedy
Paul Blart: Hypoglycemia; Pixie Stix
Observe and Report: Bipolar disorder; Clonazepam pills, though he goes off his meds

Paul Blart: "Safety never takes a holiday"
Observe and Report: The world has no use for another scared man. Right now, the world needs a (bleeping) hero."

Attack mode
Paul Blart: Stealthy and surprisingly nimble as he outsmarts the gang of acrobatic mall crashers.
Observe and Report: Stealthy and surprisingly nimble as he outsmarts crack dealers.

Box-office firepower
Paul Blart: Opened at the top of the charts in January with $31.8 million and has amassed $143.2 million
Observe and Report: Opened this past weekend at No. 4 with a so-so $11 million

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