Paul (2011)

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

Director:

Greg Mottola

Writers:

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Stars:

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen

2 wins & 9 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
Bobby Lee	...	Valet
Jane Lynch	...	Pat Stevens
David Koechner	...	Gus
Jesse Plemons	...	Jake
Seth Rogen	...	Paul (voice)
Jason Bateman	...	Agent Zoil
Sigourney Weaver	...	The Big Guy

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.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | road trip | alien contact | nerd | geek | 

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Taglines:

Ever felt a little alien? (UK poster)

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the 2010 San Diego Comic Con, Seth Rogen admitted that he had to consult help from 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 Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films.

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Goofs

When Clive and Graeme pull over after Paul wrecks the black car, headlights can be seen just coming over the rise behind them. In the next shot as they clamber out of the RV, the road behind is suddenly deserted.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

There's a scene during the end credits.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

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Soundtracks

Got to Give It Up
(Marvin Gaye)
Performed by Marvin Gaye
Courtesy of Motown Record Company LP under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.

User Reviews

Simon Peg and Nick Frost team up with an alien for a rather funny film.

I enjoyed this film quite a bit, it is a rare comedy that started kind of slowly, but continued to get more funny as it went on. Usually I find a lot of comedies start kind of fast then fade out kind of fast. This one has two Brits who are in the United States for comic con, the end all comic book, science fiction, horror and a whole heck of a lot more conventions. These particular two are into aliens and there to not only take in the sights and meet a favorite author, but to drive to some of the famous alien spots out in the west. Well they quickly run into some trouble with some local rednecks and then end up witnessing a very bad wreck. They go out to explore the scene and end up meeting Paul, an alien who is apparently on the run and in the need of assistance. During the course of their adventure the two Brits must keep Paul hidden from government agents and also deal with crazy religious fathers and all sorts of other things one tends to find on the road. Probably why I liked this one as I always enjoy a good traveling comedy of which this can certainly be classified as one. I also enjoy watching Simon Pegg and Nick Frost working together as they have a good chemistry. They are a couple of the few actors who I will watch a movie specifically because they are in it. I used to have a whole slew of actors and actresses like that, but these days not so much. The comedy is funny, like I said it started a bit slowly as I think the comic con scenes could have been a bit funnier, but it really got going once they met up with Paul. Not much of a Seth Rogen fan, but he did a fine job as the voice of Paul. So all in all a funny comedy that kept me entertained throughout.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Klingon

Release Date:

18 March 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Change the Channel!

Filming Locations:

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,043,310, 20 March 2011

Gross USA:

$37,412,945

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$97,984,015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 109 min (Unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color Black and White (archive footage)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1