PAUL (REVIEW)
Rated MA - 104 mins
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jane Lynch, Jason Bateman, Sigourney Weaver,
Bill Hader, voice only of - Seth Rogan
Paul is perceptive. Paul is obnoxious. Paul is insulting.
Paul is desperate. Paul is a foul mouthed alien who has been held on
earth for over 60 years and now wants out.
Two British science fiction tragics on a pilgrimage across
America in search of multiple U.F.O hotspots such as the infamous Roswell
are all about enjoying the open road in their rented R.V. That is however
until a very nasty accident occurs right in front of them and out pops
Paul. With his overly familiar bulbous head and saucer eyes, the boys
cannot believe their luck and I don't mean luck of the good kind. Paul
jumps a ride and informs the dumbfounded duo that he's been kept in
Hanger 18 until a recent escape and now men in black style Federal Agents
are on his trail.
The English best friends Clive (Nick Frost) and Graeme
(Simon Pegg) become way out of their depth as they approach the situation
they find themselves in completely significant within their science
fiction obsessed intellect. After picking up a one-eyed, religious trailer
park owner Ruth, who Graeme actually finds attractive, Paul leads them
in a bee line back to the mother ship and return to his home planet.
Fearing the worst, this whimsical comedy defied my expectations and
was constantly funny on a low brow level, suitable only for older children
during the school holidays. The writing is sharp with the screenplay
also penned by the comic co-stars. Frost and Pegg also wrote and starred
in both cult favourites 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz'.
With way too many to name in this review, an abundance
of science fiction references keep fans alert. Not just obligatory Trekkie
and Star Wars riffs, but an image of 'Close Encounters of the Third
Kind' is magnificently executed, not to mention a clever cameo from
Steven Spielberg himself. Paul is like a fractured E.T. Rude and crude,
he does develop an unseen heart and shows it the closer he gets to phoning
home.
Showing acute humour, a mixed supporting cast includes
'Saturday Night Live' regular, Kristen Wiig and former Teen Wolf star,
Jason Bateman, both look to be acting off the cuff. While seasoned big
screen stars continue to impress, Sigourney Weaver is hilarious and
Blyth Danner shows a soft side as an old friend to Paul.
Alien invasion hysteria aside, this is an appealing film
because it is smart without taking itself too seriously. On the run
with Paul provides plenty of witty action, even a classic bar room brawl!
Shane A. Bassett
