 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Paul
- Review Date: March 13, 2011
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Cheerfully dumb sci-fi comedy has sex, drug humor.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sci-fi comedy from the director of Superbad isn't quite as raunchy as the hit teen comedy, though characters swear constantly (including many uses of "f--k" and "s--t") and exchange incessant sexual innuendoes. The main characters are generally well-meaning people, but the movie celebrates iffy behavior -- from pot smoking to getting drunk to making fun of other people. There's also some mild violence, including a comical bar fight and a sci-fi shootout that's played for laughs. While younger teens might be drawn in by the movie's story and themes, its content isn't age appropriate for them.
What's the story?
Visiting the United States for the first time, Brits Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) are on a geek tour of comic book conventions and alien landing sites. While on the road, they crash their Winnebago into a car and meet the laid-back Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), an escaped alien. If Paul doesn't meet his ship by a certain time, U.S. agents will certainly kill him -- so the two nerds must break out of their comfort zone to help. Along the way, they "kidnap" Ruth Buggs (Kristen Wiig), who works at a trailer park, and any number of threatening characters, secret agents, and oddballs join in the chase. Can Paul make it in time?
Is it any good?
Pegg and Frost wrote PAUL's screenplay, and after the sharpness of their first two outings -- Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz -- it feels a bit soft and sludgy, like it was deliberately dumbed down. Likewise, director Greg Mottola, whose previous movies Superbad and Adventureland were examples of emotional maturity combined with comic depravity, doesn't quite reach the level of his earlier work.
But Paul has a genuine sweetness and a relaxed quality that eventually works, even though it doesn't quite live up to its potential. The "shock" humor slowly smoothes itself out and meshes into the laid-back quality of the story, helped by the sheer presence of the cast. (Sigourney Weaver provides some memorable bite, as well as a bit of sci-fi history, as a mysterious government figure.) It could have been quite a bit more, but at least it's charming.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the alien, Paul. It seems like he understands the secret of life, but he also smokes cigarettes and pot, drinks, swears, and behaves badly. What kind of a role model is he? Do you think we're meant to see him positively or negatively?
Do you consider this kind of comedy "over the top"? Why? What other movies and TV shows have a similar comedy style? Do you think there's danger here if a viewer doesn't understand the comedy on that level?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
My 14-year-old son and I love it. I thought it was a clever plot and very funny, well-written dialogue. If you like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's other parodies (i.e. "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz") you'll probably like this one. Similar humor.
There's some swearing, leering at three-breasted aliens on a magazine cover, some pot smoking and shooting from the guys who are chasing after Paul. Also potty humor and jokes about "alien balls." I was fine with my son watching it because he's fairly mature and I think it's a lot milder than some of the movies aimed at teenagers out there. Like Pegg and Frost's other movies, there's a sweetness about it and some redeeming message about friendship.
I would definitely NOT recommend it if your teen is immature or easily swayed by media images (due to the pot-smoking); otherwise, I think it's fine for ages 14 and up.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Mature or Not That is the Question
I think this movie is hillarious but should not be seen by kids who are not mature anough to see it. For example you can be 11 and see it but shouldn't talk about it at school or share the "message" of the movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I loved Hot Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead, but this was a let down. The two lead characters are very like-able but some of the humor is simply mean spirited. The mockery of Christianity is harsh and just not funny - and the constant bad language just get tedious after a while.... a shame, it really could have been a much much better movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
April 10, 2011
AGE
Not for kids or immature teens.
Wheni saw the commercial, it didn't seem bad because it didn't reveal much. But then i saw a full review.... In short, it's not for kids. Maybe mature kids, though.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Go See It
I went to see this in theaters and me and my younger brother loved this movie. My parents didn't like it. They cussed in just about every sentence, but it was great.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Space-Man Balls!
I went to see this with my 19 year old cousin and my 16 year old brother and we were all laughing through it, the only reason it was rated-r is because the christian girl overused swearing and grabbed one of the guys' junk.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
11 plus is fine
good gory in on part lots of sexual content langue is every 5 seconds but i give it five stars
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
for teens and older
Rated R mostly for language, anti-christian themes, and some talk of - not actually shown- sexual situations. There was also a short scene involving drinking and smoking a joint. While some of the talk of sex made my 13 year old son and I uncomfortable briefly, overall he quite enjoyed it. I did too. I would allow more mature 13 year olds to see this movie. The championing of science over creationism was refreshing to both of us. The language and sexual situations discussed, again -not shown, in this movie is nothing that kids don't talk about amongst each other. This movie was made by the same guys who made Shawn of the Dead and is full of inside jokes from classic sci-fi movies. If you have a responsible child who understands that drinking and drugs are bad and have had the whole sex talk with- go for it. These parts were a small part of the movie. Overall- the movie was very good.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
good movie
it's a funny movie.just has the f bomb and other sexual language.but still, your kid would love it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
for teens and older teens
lots of bad language.
It is basically just F words
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Greg Mottola |
| Cast: | Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Simon Pegg |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 18, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | August 9, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language including sexual references, and some drug use |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
