What happens when you decide to make an alien like a human? He smokes, he drinks and he curses more than a sailor. This ain't no ET. This is Paul, the latest movie offering from the team that brought you Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. And let me tell you they have done it once again with this hilarious movie that not only will have you jumping out of your seat with laughter (I nearly did) but will also touch your heartstrings as well. Well maybe not at your heartstrings, but there is a nice feeling that you feel after it. A feel good movie as they like to say. But this one actually is the first truly funny picture of 2011 and I can't stress that enough. I feel like I am jumping too far ahead already, but if I urge you to see one comedy movie this holiday season Paul would be it. Let me begin.
Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) are two English men who have been wanting to explore America and the great open roads which are reported to be alien hot spots. After biting the bullet and doing it, they head over to San Diego where they witness the marvels of comic con (It's a big nerd convention, think Star Wars, Star Trek and everything in-between and you have comic con) After comic con it's on to their road trip. So they buckle up, strap themselves in and get ready for their alien adventure. Stopping at all the hot spots America has to offer, they get into a bit of strife when they have a run in with a couple of rednecks. Fleeing the scene they notice a car traveling after them. When the car passes it veers out of control and crashes. Graeme and Clive stop to help and come across something they were not expecting. Out of the shadows, smoking a cigarette they encounter Paul (voiced by the funny man himself Seth Rogan). Not believing what they are seeing, Paul enlists their help as after 60 years the government has learnt enough from Paul without taking the next step of cutting him up. Hot on his tail is agent extreme Agent Zoil (the always excellent Jason Bateman) and two FBI agents who get tangled in the mess as well Haggard (Bill Hader) and O'Reily (Joe Lo Trugilio). There road trip is also going to get a bit more wilder with run-ins with Christian worshipers, rednecks and a romantic tail between Graeme and Ruth (Kristen Wigg) a woman wanting to explore the world but restricted due to her father's strict Christian ways. And this is when the fun begins.
Where to begin with this film. I have so much praise for it. This is an extremely well done comedy. One of the best I have seen in a time when comedies just don't have the punch that they should have. I haven't laughed this much since The Hangover. Everything aligns right in this picture. The script by Pegg and Frost is not only extremely funny, but is also touching. I must warn you though, the language is full on in this movie and definitely deserves its MA rating. But hey, I like the swearing and it made me laugh every time this funny looking alien said F*&K. The boys know their genre well and for those of us who are a bit of sci -fi nerds (yes I admit it) there are many culture references which are very well done especially a line from Aliens (you need to see the end of the movie to understand what I am talking about).
The script would not have worked as well as it did without the talented cast. Everyone involved is spot on (with most of the cast from SNL) I must give major credit to Kriten Wigg. I love her. I became a big fan of hers after watching her steal the show in Whip It and Adventureland. She steals every single scene she is in, as the Christian woman who Paul frees from her brainwashing father. The best jokes come from her potty mouth, where it's funny trying to hear her say a dirty word but in the wrong context in a sentence. The rest of the cast work their magic to bring this Alien adventure to life. Bateman is great as the creepy agent and Pegg and Frost have so much chemistry that there next film should be a romance between the two. They work so well together. Listen out for a cameo of one of the biggest directors in the business and also a kick ass heroine who fought big bad aliens back in her day.
I really can't find a thing wrong with this movie at all. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. That is a hard sell for a person who has watched many comedies. The run time is perfect, the pacing of the movie runs smoothly and the actors all looked like they had a ball. My only criticism is why did America not take to this movie. It has not done very well at all and for me it makes me wonder why a movie about the Easter Bunny which got torn to shreds in reviews but dominated their box office has beaten out a movie critics are raving about? I just don't get it. It just goes to show studios really can't determine a box office hit anymore. But who cares. Go see this movie. It is so well done you will leave the cinema with a huge grin from ear to ear. Paul is one alien I would love to encounter again and and again. 4.5/5
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