Paul Review

• 7th Feb 2011

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost see adamant on taking on genres and ripping them apart. We have had the zombie-horror-comedy that was Shaun Of The Dead, police-action-comedy in Hot Fuzz and now they are entering sci-fi-comedy with Paul.

The film is lovingly set up with a scene that pays homage to so many Spielberg directed (and produced) films it is hard to keep up. I counted Back To The Future, Gremlins, E.T. and Close Encounters and a sneaky suspicion about others as well.

We then launch into the introduction of our main Brit characters attending the San Diego comic-con. There are even more references to follow in this set up. By now if it isn’t obvious that these guys have written a loving tribute to some of their favourite 70s and 80s sci-fi films and directors (of which Spielberg is at the top of the pile) then you haven’t seen enough cinema.

Our two nerds hit the road for a trek across America’s sci-fi hotspots only to happen upon Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen). Yes, Paul is in every way looking like the clichéd alien. Small, skinny body with a large, oval head and giant eyes but this alien has a bit of street cred and doesn’t take any shit. Instead he likes to kick back, enjoy life and indulge in all sorts of fun substances. Our panicked nerds are then talked into chaperoning the visitor across the states to a specific destination (you will slap you forehead when you see where!) all the while being chased by hicks, religious zealots and government officials.

The middle of the film does get a little bit messy with their run in with locals and the setting up of dramatic subplots. Whilst Pegg and Frost make for a great duo, they are not the world’s greatest actors (but then you don’t need to be in this two dimensional caper). Despite the bad wig, I did in fact have trouble believing Pegg as a nerd (which quite frankly he obviously is in real life – but more of a film buff, than film nerd).

There is also a dose of that awkward man (or men in this case) dealing with the culture clash which involves lots of awkward movements, looks and silences. If you’re into that kind of uncomfortable for comedy moment fine, otherwise you will be left sitting there with an eager smile on your face waiting on an actual joke only to realise that it already passed you and it didn’t live up to scratch. It isn’t a lazy script by any means, there is clearly effort being put in – but it is either just bad luck or lack of timing that is causing problems. Otherwise it is an enjoyable romp from start to end, just not one that you’d care to visit again anytime soon after.

Paul on the other hand is the make it or break it role in the film. Thankfully, he mostly pays off which may be why he gets all of the juicy lines. But you also get so wrapped up in him that sometimes they forget to point the camera back at the leads.

Still, this film isn’t likely to lose any of the main lead’s fans if anything they will gain a bunch more from America. But whilst it entertains it isn’t going to have the impact their first feature did have on these shores (and that’s coming from someone who didn’t even like that film).

Steven Hurst