Paul [MA]

British sci-fi fans Graeme and Clive have been dreaming of how brilliant it would be to meet an alien. But, during a cross-country road trip to famous UFO sites around America, they get more than they bargained for. On a desert highway they crash into another car and by so doing, meet Paul, an alien who’s on the run from the government labs. Agreeing to help, Clive and Graeme soon embark upon the road trip of their lives. 

This was such a good film. Really cleverly written with the right amount of sex and gore humour that went hand in hand with the friendship that the trio develop. Filled with action, romance, and science fiction, Paul was a the best sci-fi road movie I’ve ever seen… come to think of it, it’s the only sci-fi road movie I’ve ever seen. There you go, it’s an absolute original, and a very clever homage to sci-fi films! 

British sci-fi fans Graeme and Clive have been dreaming for years about how brilliant it would be to meet an alien. But, during a cross-country road trip to famous UFO sites around America, they get more than they bargained for. On a lonely desert highway, they crash into another car and by so doing, meet Paul, an alien who’s on the run from the government labs. Agreeing to help Paul get home, Clive and Graeme embark upon the road trip of their lives. 

Well for starters, the entire idea of Paul is wonderfully refreshing and original. I mean come on, it’s a hitchhiking alien! What particularly got me about the film was the subtle tributes to famous science fiction movies. Admittedly, I really only got the ones from Star Wars, but still, it had me on its side. Like the scene where the heroes are in a redneck country bar and a band is playing the Cantina Band song in the background, adapted into a more suitable country hillbilly style. LOVED IT!! 

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost wrote the story, and both lads star as the film’s heroes. Simon played Graeme and he gave a performance that was completely unaware of the craziness of the entire situation. He was so eager to learn from Paul and, after his initial panicky shock, got on with him straight away. Nick Frost was Clive who, for the most part, is the only sane one in the van. He gave a performance that was concerned, fanboyish, sarcastic, and sometimes bitter. The chemistry between Simon and Nick was comedy gold, but also really lovely. 

Starring Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Jane Lynch, Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Blythe Danner, David Koechner, Sigourney Weaver, and Seth Rogan as the voice of Paul, Paul was a wonderfully original sci-fi road movie that was filled with action, violence, romance, Christianity, debates, amazing powers, memorable characters, and an alien. I loved it from start to finish.