THE PLOT
Following their dream of attending Comic Con English forty-something geeks, Graeme and Clive (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), hire an RV and set out on the road trip of their lives, from Area 51 to Roswell, New Mexico. Not long into their journey they have a close encounter with a Ford sedan that crashes in front of them; the driver, an alien named Paul.
Paul explains that his life is in danger and pleads for help getting to Wyoming, and freedom. Hunted by government men in black (headed up by Jason Bateman) and the vengeful father of female love interest Ruth (Kristen Wiig), the hapless duo find their ultimate holiday plans turned upside down all because of a foul-mouthed little alien.
THE REVIEW
Following on from Pegg and Frost’s previous outings in Spaced, Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz there is bound to be a level of expectation with this one. But this time there are a few things missing, a certain Edgar Wright and a little British edge. These things aside this is not a bad flick. The humour is a little more ‘base’, more for the American masses, but this is by design and by admission of writer/actors Pegg and Frost. And for the masses this is a light, funny, road trip of a buddy movie.
For the second film in a row (Green Hornet) Seth Rogen (Paul) hasn’t caused me to wince or yell at the screen! In fact, combined with some great CG you often forget it’s Rogen at all. Once Paul reveals the mysteries of his life, Ruth, a ‘God-bothering Cyclops’, realises she’s been wasting her life and is determined to make up for lost time, providing some of the funniest, swearingest lines of the film.
Frost and Pegg’s years long friendship provides the basis of a convincing on-screen camaraderie, but viewers familiar with this likeable pair are likely to feel they limited themselves in the wit and sarcasm departments. For the geeks in the audience there is a swathe gratifying sci-fi flick references, homage’s and quotes including a bar with a Stetson-wearing band playing the tune from the cantina on Tatooine and Devil’s Tower from Close Encounters. Nice.
THE VERDICT
Paul has plenty of geeky fun and some good laugh-out-loud moments. Pegg and Frost are entertaining as ever but don’t expect another Shaun Of The Dead and you should enjoy this film.
TC
Paul explains that his life is in danger and pleads for help getting to Wyoming, and freedom. Hunted by government men in black (headed up by Jason Bateman) and the vengeful father of female love interest Ruth (Kristen Wiig), the hapless duo find their ultimate holiday plans turned upside down all because of a foul-mouthed little alien.
THE REVIEW
Following on from Pegg and Frost’s previous outings in Spaced, Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz there is bound to be a level of expectation with this one. But this time there are a few things missing, a certain Edgar Wright and a little British edge. These things aside this is not a bad flick. The humour is a little more ‘base’, more for the American masses, but this is by design and by admission of writer/actors Pegg and Frost. And for the masses this is a light, funny, road trip of a buddy movie.
For the second film in a row (Green Hornet) Seth Rogen (Paul) hasn’t caused me to wince or yell at the screen! In fact, combined with some great CG you often forget it’s Rogen at all. Once Paul reveals the mysteries of his life, Ruth, a ‘God-bothering Cyclops’, realises she’s been wasting her life and is determined to make up for lost time, providing some of the funniest, swearingest lines of the film.
Frost and Pegg’s years long friendship provides the basis of a convincing on-screen camaraderie, but viewers familiar with this likeable pair are likely to feel they limited themselves in the wit and sarcasm departments. For the geeks in the audience there is a swathe gratifying sci-fi flick references, homage’s and quotes including a bar with a Stetson-wearing band playing the tune from the cantina on Tatooine and Devil’s Tower from Close Encounters. Nice.
THE VERDICT
Paul has plenty of geeky fun and some good laugh-out-loud moments. Pegg and Frost are entertaining as ever but don’t expect another Shaun Of The Dead and you should enjoy this film.
TC
Director: Greg Mottola
Writers: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (screenplay)
Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig and Sigourney Weaver
Running Time: 104 Mins
NOW SEE THE TRAILER...
UK Release Date: 14th February 2011
