Directed by: Greg MottolaWritten by: Pegg and FrostWith: Pegg, Frost, Rogen104 minutesRated R
That its endless string of pop culture references was its strongest aspect speaks to how "meh" the film was. Pegg and Frost had seemingly pioneered and mastered homage comedy with their previous work. While "Shaun of the Dead" (2004), "Hot Fuzz" (2007) and TV series "Spaced" also featured generous nods to other films and shows, they did so in healthier doses and alongside much stronger original comedy. Though mildly fun to pick up on, the throwaway references of "Paul" just seemed cheap and unjustified. Matt Garczynski
Part road trip buddy comedy, part homage to past sci-fi films, this unexpected combination works surprisingly well in Paul. There are plenty of references that sci-fi aficionados will find amusing, but the overwhelmingly raunchy humor sometimes detracts from the plot and characters. But despite its flaws, the movie remains likable and more importantly, hilarious. Katie Sinclair
