Carl the Critic: Reviews "Paul"

Experience: People might look at this poster and think that the movie is nothing more another stupid alien movie that is coming out this year. After "Battle L.A.," Mars Needs Moms," and with the arrival of "Cowboys Verses Aliens," on the way the last thing we need it another Alien movie. But I say that those movies are horrible (with the exception of "Cowboys Verses Aliens," because I haven't seen it yet,) and "Paul," was awesome and hilarious, but the fact that it is another alien movie might damage it's reputation at the box office. All I know is that I enjoyed it, and I think that it is the best alien movie that came out this year so far.

Story: The movie circles around two British friends (who everyone mistakes for a gay couple) who plan to go to Comic Con in San Diego, and then plan to go to the hottest Alien siting spots in America, the only place where aliens seem to be spotted (except for South Africa). On the way they meet Paul, an alien who likes to smoke and swear at times that a normal human would use a comma. Paul has powers of invisibility, healing animals and humans who are damaged, and can put his knowledge of the universe into the mind of someone else. Like the movie E.T. Paul is only trying to get off of earth and go home, but there are some people who think he needs to stay and be dissected for research. On the journey Paul, and the two British nerds meet and run into strange and people who react to the alien in a similar matter by fainting.

Critique: The story is a meandering structured story which is great to see amongst the repetitive spiral and linear movies that came out this year so far. The profanity in the movie is used way too much especially when they find a devout Christian girl who converts to atheism and teach her it's okay to curse and since she is not use to it she uses the worst curse words at the worst times. which brings up another issue some people might have with this movie, Christianity is bashed a little bit, which although shouldn't be taken too seriously if you are watching movies to enjoy, they go as far as to make a shirt where Jesus shoots Charles Darwin in the face, as if this is your typical Christian shirt (I personally found this to add to the humor and enjoyment of the film but a lot of devout Christians would probably not find this funny.)

Part of the movie's humor came from the fact that it had several references to other movies of similar genre, many of which were directed by Steven Spielberg. It is fun if your are a nerd and can point out what moments came from where, but even if you have no idea what the reference comes from it is still a funny movie. Dialogue is quite funny and the characters are likable, and even though Seth Rogan's acting is not that great, it was right for the voice of Paul. Cameo's were great too, and the "Big Guy," at the end (although if you read the poster and see who's missing in the movie it's quite clear who it is [Spoiler Alert: _{Sigourney Weaver}]) was hilarious as well.

This is not like your typical average, stupid spoof movie like "Epic Movie," "Meet the Spartans," and/or "Vampire's Suck." It is like the movies "Shawn of the Dead," and "Hot Fuzz," where the movie takes the best parts of all the reference films and combines them into a good movie. I'm not saying that Paul was better than "Shawn of Dead," or "Hot Fuzz," because it is not, (the basis on which I give this critique is on originality, and spontaneity) but it is still a great movie, and if you are a big nerd with star wars pajamas/underwear, then you will love this movie.

Overall: I give this movie an 8.1 out of 10, because of the amount of fun I had with this movie. I guarantee that this film is fun for almost everyone who watches.