Paul (Universal Pictures)
Not For the Kids
Paul is a movie that is definitely not for the kids. Although it is E. T.- ish in its story of a loveable alien trying to get back home, the raunchy humor and wealth of profanity make it out of their league. That is a shame because the people who would enjoy this movie the most are the little ones.
The story centers on two Brits, Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost), who attend Comic Con. They then take an RV out on the road and investigate the sights that most interest them like Area 51. Along they way they encounter a real alien named Paul. He convinces them to help him get back home.
Their adventure to do this is not without mishaps. First they pull off at a camping ground to spend the night. The owner of this campground is a religious fanatic named Moses Buggs (John Carroll Lynch). His daughter Ruth (Kristin Wiig) gets a glimpse of Paul and so they have to abduct her and take her along which she does willingly.
All the while an FBI Agent named Zoil (Jason Bateman) is pursuing them. He is determined to catch up with them and nothing is going to stop him. Two other agents plus Ruths father are also in pursuit.
The fun of the film is the growing relationship between the alien and the humans. Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) is a harmless sort. He thought he had been the guest of the USA for the past sixty years and not a captive. Now he knows differently and wants to go back home. But before he goes there is one stop he has to make. This involves a meeting with Tara Walton (Blythe Danner).
The film is rated R for profanity and gross humor.
Pegg is his usual funny self and brightens this movie just as much as he did Shaun of the Dead, Run Fatboy Run and Hot Fuzz. He has quite a following so they should turn out and support him in this role. Frost is not as well known but he and Pegg have an easy chemistry together and both of them bond with Paul.
Wiig is foul-mouthed in an adorable way. Sigourney Weaver makes a cameo appearance. Danner is luminous as the woman Paul left behind. Then there is Bateman, always interesting and always full of surprises. This isnt his best role but he makes something special of it.
Paul is a movie that overgrosses at times but it has a sweet heart at the center. Still the overall impact is that of a story we have all seen before but this time being told with profanity and gross jokes to spark it up. It doesnt.
I scored Paul an alienating 5 out of 10.
