Paul

7.6/10 Dropps

Genre: Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
Rated: R
Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.
In Theaters: Mar 18, 2011 Wide
Directed By: Greg Mottola

Paul follows two British Sci-Fi geeks that come to America to enjoy the diverse happenings of the world famous Comic-Con. As the convention comes to a close, Clive Gollings, Sci-Fi author and Graeme Willy, Sci-Fi illustrator, trek out on a journey to visit all the alien encounter hot spots across the Western United States. As a series of events unfolds, Clive and Graeme pick up an exterritorial hitchhiker on his way to meet-up with his lost brethren, creating a little more adventure than the British duo had intended for their RV journey.

Paul reunites the brilliant comedy duo that brought us Shaun Of The Dead. Simon Pegg (Graeme Willy) and Nick Frost (Clive Gollings) appear on screen for the first time together since 2007’s Hot Fuzz, and return with a bang. Along side the British pair are a few of Americas best comedians; Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express), Jason Bateman (Juno, Arrested Development), Kristen Wiig (Knocked Up, SNL), Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Ghostbusters) and Bill Hader (Adventure land, SNL), just to name a few.

With all those big names in comedy together on one screen, a lot is to be expected from Pegg and Frost’s Major American film début. With Seth Rogen providing the voice of the ill mannered, and often rude, Paul, a stranded extraterrestrial, those in the audience unaware of the comedic genius Pegg and Frost have been crafting in Britian will have a connection to the unassuming leading men.

One of the most interesting things that Paul brings the table is the amazing detail to the strange and wonderful world of extraterrestrial fandom that has existed in the United States over the last 50 years. Fans the genre, or those who just love comic book and sci-fi films in general, will have a good time watching this film. With more references, and inside jokes than one might expect, it would be impressive to find someone who could catch them all without a second watch.

Witten by Pegg and Frost and directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad), Paul is a strong return to the screen for the comedy pair (who both tried their hands apart with lack luster results). While not as dry, or clever at times, as their other works (likely because it was drafted for an American audience), Paul delivers a comedic work that keeps you laughing, even if it’s cheap, from beginning to end.

-Hunter Freiburg