Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»1109. Paul (2011)

    1109. Paul (2011)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on October 4, 2015 100-109 mins, 2011, 6 - 7.9, Comedy, Movies Of 2015, Oct 15, Review, Sci-Fi, United States
    7.1 Nothing special
    • Acting 7.3
    • Directing 7.3
    • Story 6.8
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen

    Director: Greg Mottola

    Running Time: 104 mins


    Paul is an American film about two sci-fi nerds who encounter an alien from outer space, named Paul. However, when they find that Paul isn’t so unlike themselves, they work to help him escape a relentless pursuit by secret government officials.

    On the one hand, this film does successfully live up to Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s intended ‘homage’ to science fiction, and is full of ingenious references and subtle witticisms in that regard. On the other hand, the main story here is nothing special at all, whilst the level of the comedy really doesn’t compare to anything that Pegg and Frost did in their hit sci-fi parody TV show: ‘Spaced’.

    Of course, the film shouldn’t be totally compared to Spaced, but that can be used as a benchmark of how funny Pegg and Frost can be, especially when parodying science fiction cinema. This film, on the other hand, whilst being full of brilliant references to classic sci-fi hits like Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Aliens and E.T., doesn’t provide the consistent barrel of laughs that we’ve come to expect from this comedy duo, and is therefore somewhat disappointing.

    It’s not a terrible comedy, however. There are some decent jokes throughout, and although you won’t wet yourself laughing, you won’t ever be bored.

    Above the gags, the funniest thing about this film is the characters. Okay, so Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s main nerd characters aren’t that hilarious, but the foul-mouthed, drinking, smoking alien Paul is good for a few laughs. Also, Kristen Wiig, who stars as a devout Christian girl that is converted to atheism is pretty funny, as is Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio and Sigourney Weaver in smaller roles.

    Away from the comedy, there are still more things to praise here. The CGI of Paul, using Seth Rogen in a motion-capture suit, is very impressive, and definitely a lot more convincing than so many other modern comedies that try to jump on the special effects bandwagon.

    So, if you’re a big sci-fi fan who likes a good few in-jokes about the genre, there’s a lot to love here, but more generally, this film is pretty entertaining and fun to watch, despite not being the most hilarious comedy you’ll ever see, and that’s why I’ll give it a 7.1.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.1
    Review
    January 11, 20190

    2414. Stan & Ollie (2018)

    8.9
    Review
    October 9, 20150

    1114. The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)

    8.0
    Review
    October 27, 20140

    732. Farewell My Concubine (霸王别姬) (1993)

    8.5
    Review
    August 30, 20130

    269. Gandhi (1982)

    8.2
    Review
    April 25, 20200

    2936. The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.