• Genre: Sci Fi/Alien/Action
• Directed by: Reg Mottola
• Produced by: Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
• Written by: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
• Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen
• Music by: David Arnold
• Cinematography: Lawrence Sher
• Editing by: Chris Dickens
• Studio: Relativity Media, Working Title Films, Big Talk Pictures
• Distributed by: Universal Studios
• Release date(s): 14 February 2011 (United Kingdom), 18 March 2011

If you are wondering why the local Crosswords suddenly has stocks of a rather blandly named movie, whose DVD cover is plainer white, and has the faces of two almost unknown actors, we have the reason why, right here.
Paul is about two slackers who are comic book aficionados, and give up their life’s savings to visit a comic con. Here, they have the time of their lives, and they meet several of the icons of comic book world. They also visit many of the thematic bars, and even some other interesting fans. After having their fill of adventure, they decide to head back home, only to find out that they have an actual alien in their trailer, and they now are part of a big adventure, and an even bigger conspiracy – that has been bungling along for more than fifty years.
Paul is many movies for many people. Some might think that it is an underdog, feel good movie. Others will even see aspects of redemption and final justice in it, while yet others will just go on with the movie because they love the refreshing way that an alien is depicted and caricatured in the movie. The Paul alien is not someone with a stiff upper lip, or someone who doesn’t quite know what the third rock from the sun is. Our Paul, the alien here, is one of the most well read, intelligent, yet streetsmart kid who has some supernatural powers, and wants to use them for the right reason – and actually ends up doing so.

Paul is a very good movie, and it gives a nod to several of the conspiracy theories that surround the aliens, and the way the governments, specially the US government has handled the aliens. The movie also takes into consideration the very best of sci fi and alien movies made in the seventies and the eighties, and one of the most prominent faces of sci fi and alien movies makes an appearance at the end of the movie a laudable effort.
It stars Simon Pegg, who is slowly but surely becoming the face of shoestring but entirely enjoyable cinema, along with Nick Frost, and the voice for Paul is given by Seth Rogen. This movie is so good that you might just forgive Rogen for his take on the Green Hornet in the big budget movie.
What work for the movie are the elaborate caste, and the eclectic portrayals from the cast, right from Simon Peggs, Nick Frost and even Kirsten Wigg in a small, but very essential role for the movie.
The characterizations in the movie are another mainstay of Paul. There is no clichéd character in the movie. In fact, Paul does away with all the clichés that we have ever come across, either in movies or the alien and sci fi movies. The fat guy is not obese, the thin guy is not someone who can miraculously jump over fences and stuff – basically, this one is about two everyday guys who come across something entirely extraordinary – and is an adventurous tale of how they solve an issue that they, and only they have ever faced in their life.
Of course, Seth Rogen as Paul, the alien makes the movie much more watchable. Another thing that works for the movie is the camaraderie between Simon and Nick, and they play the roles of washed out comic book fans who suddenly become all ‘growed’ up with alarming ease. It is the ease of these actors that makes another audacious movie not just passable, but also one of the best DVDs that we can buy at the moment.
The concept is definitely good, the script adds to the aura, and the in jokes about Steven Spielberg, and the various nods to his work are definitely a go-go.
The storyline is definitely a unique one for a scifi/conspiracy/alien movie, and the screenplay is one of the most interesting one that we have gone through in recent times – and we are not even discussing Bollywood here. Here are only talking about Hollywood.

The movie has won numerous accolades from the gentry as well as the critics. It has also won some awards. For us, the movie is the best entertainer that we have on DVD for this month, and we would definitely suggest that you lay your hands on the DVD, because this one is soon beginning to gain a cult following.
If you are wondering why we did not tell you the name of the actor who makes a cameo in the movie, well, there are actually two, who are well known for their roles in sci-fi movies, but we will not break the suspense by telling you their names, instead, you should just go ahead and buy the DVD for this movie, which is fast gaining popularity and even a cult status.