Geekscape Movie Reviews: Second Opinion on Paul
Paul is a film about best buds Graeme Willy (Pegg), a talented, but out of work illustrator and Clive Gollings (Frost) wannabee sci-fi writer, who are on a geek pilgrimage to visit Comic-Con and claim the autograph of their common hero Adam Shadowchild (Jeffrey Tambor).
They begin their adventure in proper geek attire (iconic super hero t-shirt, con badge around the neck) and devour all that Comic-Con has to offer snapping pictures of the many slave Leia’s, collecting autographs, gawking at what’s to come and playing with comic inspired toys like two kids in a candy shop.
After the con, they continue the theme of their dream trip to America by renting an RV. The plan is to take in the the most renowned alien visitation sites like Area 51 and the infamous Black Mailbox but they get so much more than they ever dreamed of.
In the middle of their odyssey Graeme and Clive inadvertently pick up a hitchhiker who is none other than an alien (Rogen) named Paul who has just escaped from his government captors. You would think this would be a dream come true for the duo but after one of them faints with fright it’s up to Paul to win them over with charm and appeal.
With Agents Zoil (Jason Bateman), O’Reilly (Joe Lo Truglio) and Haggard (Bill Hader) on their tail and being lead by a very recognizable voice – Sigourney Weaver – the pals get into some shenanigans and learn what it’s like to travel with a pot-smoking, foul mouthed, extra-terrestrial who is not only versed in futuristic science but apparently has a love for all things pop culture.
Paul was written by Pegg and Frost who are known for films Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead and directed by Greg Motolla (Superbad). All three are fans of Steven Speilberg and the film plays like an homage to him by borrowing lines, scenes, and even music from his movies (also from George Lucas films).
After watching the Paul panel at Comic Con Intl. last year I thought I had a good idea of what to expect from best friends Pegg and Frost’s new movie; low brow humor, goofy sci-fi storyline, flavored with a dry-British humor, pot jokes and overt profanity. It was all that plus so much more.
The film is more like a love note for all sci-fi movie fans touching on films like Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, E.T., and Star Wars (listen for the slowed down version of the music from the Mos Eisley Cantina when Frost/Pegg walk into a red neck bar).
Some borrowed scenes and dialogue are easily recognized while others are more cleverly buried. I noticed material from at least 10 other films like Aliens, Raiders, Star Trek, Jaws, Battle Star Galactica, Back To The Future, Total Recall and many more. You would think that in order to include so much from other films the story would loose ground but surprisingly it doesn’t. The writing is ingenious and the geek inside me was so getting a kick out of the references.
Paul is an alien like none other, or is he?
Well he does have the power to heal with his finger tip (ET), can cloak himself (Predator), and resembles the shape of the aliens in Close Encounters but he also has some characteristics that set him apart.
Since Paul has spent the last 60 years in a government bunker advising the powers that be on political, scientific, and pop culture issues he’s soaked up quite a bit of culture including a fondness for getting high and telling jokes. Even so, he’s had enough of Earth and is ready to go home.
Not a huge fan of Seth Rogen as he always seems to be the same guy in every film and after seeing him in person talk about Paul last year I was skeptical. But actually, his comic timing and wit plays out well as this character is unlike his portrayal of the Green Hornet.
This hour and forty minute road trip movie is a celebration of geek culture which may not translate well for mainstream moviegoers. Nonetheless, it’s still funny and has a lot of heart.
As one of the folks this film was written for I enjoyed myself immensely and was filled with geek-joy from start to finish. My cheeks still hurt from smiling so much.
