Paul (Universal Pictures)

Synopsis: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite as Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost), two sci-fi geeks on vacation to see America's UFO hot spots. Along the way, they meet Paul (Seth Rogen), a sarcastic, stoner alien on the run after escaping from a top-secret military base, and accidentally kidnap overly religious Ruth (Kristen Wiig). Chased by federal agents and the young woman's father, Graeme and Clive hatch a hap-hazard plan to return Paul to his mother ship. Paul is directed by Superbad's Greg Mottola, from a story by Pegg & Frost. Joining the comedy's cast are Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, David Koechner and Sigourney Weaver.

My take:  Don't go into this hoping for the same instant classic as Sean Of The Dead. While it's still a good movie, it just doesn't stack up. Director Greg Mottola lends a more sentimental touch to Paul. This could even be a family film, if not for the swearing and drug use. Simon and Nick's friendship really shines through as Graeme and Clive. There's no magic lost between those two. The problem is with Seth Rogan as Paul. I liked Seth in his previous films (and thought he was excellent as the Green Hornet), but this is Seth on overload, and that's just a bit too much. He wasn't all bad, but dialing him back a bit would have gone a whole lot further. Half way through, I started not really caring if Paul got away. That's not how you want the audience to feel about a main character.

Kristen Wiig was right in her wheelhouse as neurotic Ruth (reminded me of her SNL character Penelope). She plays it well as she struggles between her super-religious upbringing, and her new found freedom, complete with sexual awakenings and drug experimentation. Her scenes skip a beat when Ruth and Paul have a debate on God and evolution. That's just a little heavy of a subject for such a light-hearted film and seems a bit out of place.

Verdict: Overall, this is a nice film. It just doesn't have the comic pizazz of a film you'd expect out of a Pegg-Frost collaboration. Unfortunately, the script isn't strong enough to stand with out them. If you're a true Pegg-Frost fan, watch it with an open mind and you'll be pleasantly surprised.


My recommendation: Rent it

Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi, Adventure
Rated: R – See Full Ratingfor language including sexual references, and some drug use 
Run Time: 1 hr. 40 min.