This week's Movie Of The Week is Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's Paul. I didn't see this movie when it originally came out into the cinema and it took me a while to actually take the time to watch it and to honest I do regret not watching it sooner because it is quite fantastic. It's nice to see an alien, close encounter etc type movie redone in a new way. The overall plot of the movie is not unfamiliar and that is the charm of it; they play on alien movie clichés and use them to their strengths.
I will do a quick summing up for anyone who hasn't seen the movie. So Graham (Pegg) and Clive (Frost) are two British sci-fi enthusiasts who have made the trip from the UK to San Diego for the annual Comic-Con. While there, they decide to take a bit of a road trip around the supernatural landmarks of the states (I guess that's what you'd call them). While on this trip they encounter Paul, who after having been 60 years on planet decides that it is time to return home. The geeks take him on board their RV and in doing so the adventure really begins. While on the road they meet the bible thumping Ruth played by my girl-crush Kristen Wiig, the special agent Zoil played by Jason Bateman and the not-so-special agents whose names I can't remember played by Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio.
The character of Paul, voiced by one of my idols, Seth Rogen, is most definitely the best alien I have seen on the screen since E.T. He is however most definitely not a cheap copy of E.T. Instead though, Paul is everything that you would expect from an alien having spent 60 years on Earth, kicking back and advising both the government and the entertainment industry on matters extraterrestrial-related and otherwise. He smokes with a trooper, curses like a sailor and gets high like various other stereotypes. Seth Rogen, like he has done so in movies before, creates the perfect balance between being foul-mouthed and then caring and sweet. He, in my opinion, stole the show.
As far as the actual jokes themselves go, to be honest, I think if had not have been for the exceptional cast, then the movie would probably have sunk into oblivion as just being a good CGI project but nothing else. You would expect more than jokes about anal probes and being gay from the guys who brought you Hot Fuzz and Spaced. Don't get me wrong I laughed a lot, but i just expected more than gay jokes that's all. It still is a really really good laugh though so I would highly recommend it.
Overall Rating 7/10
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| image vie geekadelphia.com |
Cheers for reading,
Jane
