Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cheerfully dumb sci-fi comedy has sex, drug humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Paul
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 29 parent reviews
Parents say this film features a mix of humor and offensive content, with heavy swearing, sexual references, and portrayals that critique Christianity, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some found it hilarious and entertaining, others were put off by the incessant profanity and themes that might not resonate positively, especially for more conservative families.
- humor mixed with profanity
- unsuitable for children
- critique of religion
- entertaining for teens
- diverse cast
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 78 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is entertaining and funny, often highlighting the strong language and sexual references that dominate the dialogue. While opinions vary on its appropriateness for younger audiences, many reviewers suggest it’s suitable for mature teens due to its humor and relatively mild violence compared to other R-rated films.
- humor
- strong language
- sexual references
- appropriate for teens
- mild violence
Summarized with AI
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 18, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : August 9, 2011
- Cast : Nick Frost , Seth Rogen , Simon Pegg
- Director : Greg Mottola
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language including sexual references, and some drug use
- Last updated : March 5, 2026
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