Paul (2011)

Two British comic-book geeks traveling across the U.S. encounter an alien outside Area 51.

Director:

Greg Mottola

Writers:

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Stars:

Mia Stallard, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mia Stallard	...	Young Tara
Simon Pegg	...	Graeme Willy
Nick Frost	...	Clive Gollings
Jeremy Owen	...	Sword Vendor
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Adam Shadowchild
David House	...	Security Guard
Jennifer Granger	...	Adam Shadowchild Fan
Nelson Ascencio	...	Jorge
Jane Lynch	...	Pat Stevens
David Koechner	...	Gus
Jesse Plemons	...	Jake
Seth Rogen	...	Paul (voice)
Jason Bateman	...	Agent Zoil
Sigourney Weaver	...	The Big Guy
Bill Hader	...	Haggard

Storyline

Two sci-fi geeks take a pilgrimage to America's UFO heartland. While there, they accidentally meet an alien who brings them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever. For the past 60 years, an alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) has been hanging out at a top-secret military base. When he discovers he's been taken prisoner, the space-traveling smart ass decides to escape the compound and hop on the first vehicle out of town - a rented RV containing Earthlings Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost). Chased by federal agents and the fanatical father of a young woman that they accidentally kidnap, Graeme and Clive hatch a fumbling escape plan to return Paul to his mother ship. And as two nerds struggle to help, one little green man might just take his fellow outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.

---

Plot Keywords:

alien | nerd | escape | area 51 | road trip | 

---

Taglines:

Ever felt a little alien? (UK poster)

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp] Official site [uk]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Klingon

Release Date:

18 March 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kosmita Paul

Filming Locations:

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$13,043,310 (USA) (18 March 2011)

Gross:

$37,371,385 (USA) (13 May 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 109 min (extended cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the 2010 San Diego Comic Con, Seth Rogen admitted that he had to consult help from actor Andy Serkis for inspiration in order to get the idea on how to use the motion capture suit for his CGI character Paul. Serkis had originally portrayed Gollum (through motion capture and voice) in the Lord of the Rings films.

---

Goofs

When Zoil receives information on where to locate Paul he locks up the brakes on his black Ford Crown Vic and slides the car into a smoky 180 degree turn. Under the right side rocker panel 3 stunt dolly wheels are visible.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Young Tara: [referring to her dog] Go on, then, Paul. Don't be long.

---

Crazy Credits

There's a scene during the end credits.

---

Connections

References Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

---

Soundtracks

"PLANET CLAIRE"
(Henry Mancini, Kate Pierson (as Catherine Pierson), Fred Schneider (as Frederick Schneider), Keith Strickland (as Julian Strickland), Cindy Wilson (as Cynthia Wilson), Ricky Wilson )
Performed by The B-52's
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, by arrangement with Wanre Music Group & TV licensing and Island Def Jam Music Group
under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

User Reviews

Sci Fi spoof of the year

I loved this movie. Have been a fan of Pegg and Frost since Shaun of the Dead and enjoy their genius ability to spoof a genre and still make a thoroughly entertaining and funny movie

This time it's ET, Close Encounters .. , Alien and others that are lined up and blown out of the water, along with Roswell the FBI and comic book and gaming nerds. but all done with impeccably good British taste and style.

Seth Rogan (and I'm not usually a fan of his) is superb as the voice of the Alien Paul of the title, and a cameo from Sigourney Weaver complete a superb cast who all acquit themselves well.

The story is set around two British nerds doing a UFO themed tour of the US which starts at a Comic-Con convention. As they take to the road they encounter Paul who is being pursued by 'agents'. The chase heats up and other kooky characters join in and become part of the ensuing mayhem. I'll say no more... go see.

My only complaint is the overuse of bad language expletives far too often, and although effective on a few occasions are, largely unnecessary. and detract from an otherwise excellent script.