Paul (2011)

 

Synopsis: Did you ever want to see E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial reimagined as a dopey buddy stoner comedy? Today is your lucky day…. 

Blurb From the DVD jacket: “Paul is a must-own comedy adventure not to be missed!”

What Did I Learn?: 1) In America, kidnapping a Christian is worse than harbouring a fugitive. 2) You have to spin a good yarn before you can weave a great dream. 

You Might Like This Movie If: You want to get to know the real Paul. 

Really?: 1) Ok, I realize the entire premise of this film - and most of its humour - derives from Paul sounding like Seth Rogan, and acting like a weed-smoking jerk, but he’s still an alien… he has some unusual powers, but does he ever actually think differently than humans? He never seems to provide any insights into his observations of Earth or the human condition. 2) Funny how Graeme and Clive are visiting the US from the UK, but this fact gets almost entirely buried; real cops would have mentioned that the RV-driving nerds they encountered earlier were British, for example, and I expected Paul to make an “Airstrip One” joke, but it never came. 3) I’m certainly not a Creationist, but the film’s treatment of Ruth and her father was pretty despicable; had Simon Pegg and Nick Frost painted any other ethnic or religious group as being so violent, ignorant, and closed-minded they would have been accused of bigotry. 

Rating: While the depiction of the Buggs left a bad taste in my mouth (see: "Really?" #3), Paul is otherwise a relatively enjoyable buddy comedy that pokes some good-natured fun at some iconic science fiction films and doesn’t take itself too seriously. 7/10 stars. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092026/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1