"Paul"

2011 * R * 1h 44m  I'm a huge sci-fi fan. So when I spot a movie that spoofs some of the classics like "E.T." and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" I'm in.  And this one certainly paid off in spades. It's a fun, road trip kind of film starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost ("Shaun of the Dead" "Hot Fuzz) and the distinctive voice of Seth Rogan.

Graeme (Pegg) and Clive (Frost) are a couple of Brits who are comic book nerds on vacation in the U.S. They're here to participate in a comic-con and then hit the road the visit some classic alien hotspots in the Southwest like Area 51. While on the road they witness a horrible car wreck and discover the survivor--a funny, sarcastic pot-smoking alien who's on the lam. He's voiced by Seth Rogan who's absolutely hilarious in the part. The alien, Paul, originally arrived many years ago and has finally escaped the research facility that's held him captive for ages. He's on a mission to get to a location where a spaceship will meet him and take him back home. 

The three of them are being pursued by federal agents and things quickly get out of hand. The cast of the movie is stellar (sorry about that). It includes Jane Lynch, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Hader, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, and Joe Lo Truglio. I thought the film was great fun. The alien reminded a little of the main character in "Ted." Always sarcastic and irreverent, and a constant stream of one-liners. The humor was juvenile at times, but then again, so am I. Guilty!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and Prime and to rent on YouTube,  Apple TV and other streaming services.