Blu-ray Review: Paul (2011)

With its frequent, flagrant references to mainly 1980s science fiction classics, and its irreverently comedic tone, Paul has all the hallmarks of a parody, yet it manages to feel anything but. Rather, it feels like a really enjoyable alien-flavoured road trip written by and starring two guys with evident love of the genre. Parodies rely on the viewer’s knowledge of a film’s antecedents to get the jokes, but whereas Paul has its fair share of in-jokes (some of which prove to be hilarious given the context in which they are used), it doesn’t rely on them. It’s successful on its own terms: as a comedy, as an action film, and also as a slightly twisted variation on the buddy movie.

Paul is the first film to feature the starring British combo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on which they haven’t collaborated with Edgar Wright. While he went off to make Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, the two actors who bonded through their Star Wars obsession went on a road trip through the UFO hotspots of America. The film they wrote as a result recreates many of the experiences they had on the trip, with one major addition: foul-mouthed, pot-bellied, bulbous-headed E.T. Paul. As the title character and also, no doubt, the recipient of much of the budget (as a fully CGI creation), he’s a crucial component, one that is fortunately successful. Seth Rogen may seem an odd choice to voice such a critter, but his vocal stylings are perfectly suited to the character. The joke that he’s less of an alien in the US than the two wide-eyed tourists he tags along with proves to have plenty of comic mileage.

It’s clear from the Making Of material on the disc that Pegg and Frost see the film as their baby, but the choice of director also pays off. Greg Mottola, the man behind the wonderful Adventureland, brings real pathos, an eye for character, and also a great contact list of acting talent. The supporting roles are stuffed to the brim with scene stealers, including Jason Bateman, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, not to mention numerous cameos. Hader and Wiig in particular are just hilarious, though unlike in Adventureland they do not constitute a double act here: Hader is a hapless fed and Wiig an unwilling passenger on Paul’s interstate journey.

Fortunately, too, Pegg and Frost are as likeable as ever; you never question that they've been friends for years, and in many respects seem to just be playing themselves. Paul comes across as a very personal passion project for the pair, and they prove that they can work as a double act without Edgar Wright's frenetic direction. In Mottola's hands Paul is a more laid-back affair than the whizz-bangery of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, which works brilliantly for the story. Pegg and Frost were aiming for the vibe of a classic road movie that just happened to have an alien in it, and despite all the explosions, juvenile gags, geeky references and Spielberg riffs, they pulled it off.



Release Information
Country: UK / Region: Free / Version: Single disc / Discs: 1 / Distributor: Universal

Presentation
Right from the Universal logo, Paul's warm, earthy colour timing is in evidence. Overall it looks great, no seams evident with the visual effects despite the relatively low budget, and with entirely satisfying detail. The soundtrack, too, is everything you'd expect of a modern movie, the music particularly making great use of the 5.1 configuration.

Extras
An ample and engaging array of supplements includes a commentary, 40 minute Making Of, gag reel, numerous featurettes (many Blu-ray exclusive), and an extended 'unrated' cut.



Summary
A surprisingly heartfelt yet also hilarious road trip, mixing an iconic American backdrop with a British fish-out-of-water sensibility and more than a little love of Hollywood science fiction.