Sony's PG-rated film "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" managed somehow to blow away the competition by making $33.8 million in its first three days and is expected to reach $40 million over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

 

The movie displays a comedic portrayal of a clumsy, hypoglycemic suburban mall security officer embodied by chubby sitcom star Kevin James who tries to foil a bank heist. After starring together with Will Smith in "Hitch" and Adam Sandler in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," James proves in this picture the fact that he can be reliable leading man, not to mention successful.

 

The portly shopping center security guard’s story knocked off last week's box-office champion that is Clint Eastwood’s "Gran Torino," to the second spot with $22 million according to the box-office tracking firm Media by Numbers.

 

"My Bloody Valentine: 3D," the new release which came third, made $21.9 million while

"Notorious," a biopic about rapper Notorious B.I.G., opened at No. 4 with $21.5 million. The family comedy "Hotel for Dogs" earned $17.7 and fifth place.

 

The big surprise was the tenth position occupied with only $5.9 million by last weekend’s Golden Globes great winner, “Slumdog Millionaire”

 

In a field of mature-themed movies, “Blart” turned out to be the kind that everyone enjoys watching, a movie for the whole family, like an oasis of joy. "Blart" was the only choice for those looking for a film with a protagonist they could laugh at, not laugh with.

 

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” was actually expected to draw about $25 million over the four days, but it seems to be on track to gross $40 million for the period during the Martin Luther King Day, which is considered to be a terrific number since making the movie only cost $26 million.