While I was sure it would be an enjoyable enough film, I just couldn't bring myself to watch 'Paul' when it was released early in 2011. Put it down the repeated adverts in the cinema - Odeon had an advert promoting their points card that featured 'Paul' for months before it came out, and it was in front of every single film that was released. When you visit the cinema frequently, you get bored of seeing the same old thing.
Another factor was Simon Pegg's incessant (and bordering on the annoying) posts on Twitter, promoting the film. I know most actors use Twitter for exactly those means, advertising a film, but it really got on my nerves, as well as when 'Burke And Hare' was released on DVD, he didn't even mention it. Not saying that was a great film, but it just seemed all a little strange. I guess once one film is in your rear mirror, it gets forgotten, especially when it didn't do too well!
But, I finally put it on, and as I thought I would, thoroughly enjoyed it. Time heals all advertising-related wounds, I guess you could say.
Pegg and Nick Frost play Graeme (Pegg) and Clive (Frost), two friends who, after visiting the San Diego Comic Con, go on a UFO road trip and encounter an alien (the titular Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen), who needs their help to return home, as a relentless government agent (Jason Bateman) trails them.
The whole film is an absolute blast, and features a who's who of American comedy. The only film that will top this for comedic actors will be when the 'Arrested Development' movie comes out. I mean just look at the names involved, the aforementioned Bateman, his 'AD' co-star Jeffrey Tambor, Jane Lynch, David Koechener, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, the list goes on.
Wiig is particularly good value (as she normally is, to be honest) as Ruth, the love interest for Graeme in film. And that romantic story line is one of the several sweet (albeit foul-mouthed) moments in the film, this is something with a big heart to it as well as laughs.
Rogen is also great as the voice of the alien. So great in fact, it's probably one of my favourite performances by him that I've seen! And Jason Bateman plays the straight man well, constantly hassled by orders from his boss (whom I won't reveal actress wise, just in case you don't know.)
As you'd probably expect from Pegg and Frost, there are tons of in-jokes and references from other films, from the stand out obvious (a rather blatant visual gag to 'Close Encounters Of The Third Kind') to the subtler (note the name of the bar about halfway through the film, and what the band are playing), and countless other nods to everything from Star Wars to The Blues Brothers.
An obvious couple of comparison points for 'Paul' would be 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz', and while this could easily have been the third in that particular 'Cornetto Trilogy', this is directed by Gregg Mottola (Superbad, and the upcoming Aaron Sorkin HBO pilot), and it's a great match. And just because there is no Edgar Wright, you don't need to worry this is up there with the 'Shaun' and 'Hot Fuzz', not the likes of the dreadful 'Run Fatboy Run'...
Obviously, with all the reference points to other films, 'Paul' isn't exactly original. It is your typical road movie, with a E.T. style alien assisting twist, but nevertheless it's just a fun 99 minutes which you really shouldn't take too seriously.
****
Nothing original story-wise, but a fantastic comedic cast and some real heart make 'Paul' a must watch. If you also got sick of it before ever seeing it - now 's the time to come in from the cold!
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