Paul Review

Two British nerds decide that after going to ComicCon in San Diego they are going to go touring America’s UFO hotspots. As they drive down the open road in Nevada they are passed by a car and witness a high speed wreck. When they inspect the wreck the run into Paul an alien who has escaped the government and wants to find his way home, the two nerds decide to help him on his journey to get back to his people.

Paul is a hipster, pot smoking, and beer drinking alien voiced by the incomparable Seth Rogen. How is this not a recipe for instant success? You have perhaps the most unique comedic actor of this generation playing one of the most unique characters in a long time. It was an instant success; the humour in Paul is off the charts. This movie is beyond anything you could have imagined. Paul is one awesome character, and the references to other pop culture are all over the place (just need to make sure you catch them, because at times they are not blatantly obvious).

Initially as expected the two nerds played brilliantly by the comedic duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are sceptical of Paul, as anyone would be if they just stumbled upon a UFO who is claiming he has been around since the late 40’s. Pegg and Frost are good because it is any fan boys dream to run into an alien and help on a journey, and they made it seem real. The dynamic between Pegg, Frost and Rogen is why comedy can be so impressive at times. They never skipped a beat, they all seemed to be perfectly in synch with one another and it worked. Paul transformed from a nice little flick about an alien to one of the best comedies Rogen has ever done, right up there with Superbad and Pineapple Express.

It was a complete cast however; they had Jason Bateman, Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio as FBI agents trying to stop Paul from making his way back home. This film had Kristen Wigg playing a religious girl seeing the world for the first time and enjoying herself. John Carroll Lynch played her crazy father. Other cast members included Jane Lynch, Jeffrey Tambor and a few other notable actors that you must see the film in order to fully enjoy.

For a film with such a simple plot Paul does a fantastic job of leaving you fulfilled and happy. The story is fun, the characters are fun, and the jokes are relevant and even take a spin on the old alien adage that they are green and have big heads. There are a few unbelievably funny pop culture bits, like Paul on the phone with the man himself Steven Spielberg talking about E.T. There is also a bit where Paul says he created the character of Agent Mulder on the X-Files. As mentioned there are many more subtle references to pop culture, some that will be picked up instantly and others that may need further research in order to understand.

Paul most certainly is not a film for everyone, despite the crude humour, at times they delve into the religion vs. evolution idea, which may be offensive to some people viewing the film. For me it was easy to pass off, because it was only a fleeting moment of the film where they discuss it. For some people who are completely religious, I understand how this could be offensive.

I say don’t miss out on the hilarity that is Paul, it is a downright funny and a well written flick. It is the way comedy is supposed to be, insulting, crude, off the wall all the while maintaining an interesting premise so that no one is confused by it


8/10