Movies: 'Paul' Review
Movie:
Paul
Genre:
Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy
The Verdict:
May the Farce be with You..
Rating: 3 Stars
STARRING:
Simon Pegg
Nick Frost
Seth Rogen
Kristen Wiig
Jason Bateman
Jane Lynch
Sigourney Weaver
Bill Hader
Blythe Danner
Jeffrey Tambor
John Carroll Lynch
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) unite again for yet another geeky comedy adventure, this time through American UFO heartland. This is no zom-com though, the story begins at a San Diego Comic Con(vention), follows the two comic book geeks' on a road trip where they encounter an alien called Paul just outside Area 51 and as per usual herein begins the crazy, the funny and the obscure..
Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Funny People, Pineapple Express) hilariously voices the alien 'Paul' in his own unique brand of laid back, stoned gravelled vocal we've all come to know and endear to (depending on your perspective I suppose!) His "can't be f**ked" attitude transfers to his alien counterpart which makes for some good one-liners and original comedy from an alien (I think that should be considered as a new category for the Oscars!!). With lots of references to Star Wars and Steven Spielberg's creation of E.T., it really takes advantage and rips into all the classic extra-terrestrial type movies in a 'paying homage' type way - You can really tell both actors are authentic fans or at least have genuine interest in Sci-Fi though they don't mind mocking their characters' interest in the extra-terrestrial field!
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost who have proven to do geekship very well, jump on the literal RV bandwagon with alien Paul and devout christian Kristen Wiig (Knocked Up, MacGruber, Semi-Pro) and start running from Area 51 cops (Bill Hader and Joe Le Truglio) and U.S. official Jason Bateman and there's even a special appearance from Sigourney Weaver (Aliens Trilogy) Nice coup lads!
This probably deserved a lower rating because although it's quite funny, the story doesn't exactly blow you away. However, they do wrap the story up very well so I gave it 3 out of 5 due to that and it's pi**-taking effort and researched homage to Sci-fi and geekism!! Amusing..
