Ever since Nick Frost and Simon Pegg teamed up to give us the geek fuel antics of Spaced, Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, audiences have been yearning for them to get together once again. While their latest film Paul isn't the third film in the 'cornetto' trilogy (since writer/director Edgar Wright isn't involved), in Superbad helmer Greg Molotta's capable hands it is a very funny science fiction comedy which confirms that the Frost/Pegg duo are are force to be reckoned with.
It helps, for me anyway, that the film is taken from the perspective of pop culture geeks and Brits who are of a similar age to myself. This combined with the fact it's from the UK's Working Title Productions, means the film has a very grounded British sensibility despite the U.S. setting and Yankee cast. The comedic tone is broader than the Edgar Wright collaborations and Paul is gleefully and liberally laced with swearing and profanity.
The cast is fantastic ferom Kristin Wigg's Godbotherer who get's liberated with her newfound view of a scientific world (thanks to alien, Paul), Seth Rogan riffs on his chilled-out, stoner image to amusing effect in his vocal performance as the title character and American actors Bill Hader, Justin Bateman and the brilliant Jeffery Tambour all chip in with some off-kilter characters. A consistently funny road movie with tons of laughs, Paul is well worth checking out.
1 comment:
Despite agreeing with pretty much everything you wrote, I was disappointed with this film. Too long at times, too directionless.
The characters of David Koechner and Jesse plemons (the hicks) were either badly scripted or badly edited out for one. The 'emotion' if that is what is was supposed to be was awful and nothing seemed to fit at times.
Cheap jokes held together by a great cast (that's why 'Without a Paddle' is funny) are not always enough and I feel this will remain as funny as Evolution on further viewings.
Lot's of it was great and it seems pointless to criticise, but the Brit Duo are capable of so much more.
The biggest disappointment is that this was a great idea and can now never be realised as good as it should have been.
For every Spaced there's a Hyperdrive Hippy.
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