Paul (2011)

Directed by: Greg Mottola

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogan

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I was excited for Paul since I first heard Pegg and Frost were doing another film together.  I had a few mixed feelings once I found out that Edgar Wright, who had worked with the two on Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007), was not involved with this project. My worries were put to bed upon seeing the film. Paul, while its humor is much more simplistic than Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, provides plenty of laughs and a refreshing story. Take the Lewdness of a Seth Rogan film, garnish it with the sly wit of Pegg and Frost, and there you have Paul.  

Graeme (Pegg) and Clive (Frost) are two hardcore nerds from the UK visiting the United States for Comic-Con. While they are in country, they decide to rent an RV to tour all of the UFO hot spots across the American midwest. Along the way, they run into Paul (Seth Rogan), a stereotypical looking grey alien with an odd personality. Paul is on the lam from the government, and needs help to return home. He persuades Clive and Graeme to bring him to where he can be picked up by another UFO. Hilarity ensues. 

Two nerds in heaven

There truly wasn't a dull moment in the pacing of the film. Even in the beginning when the characters were being introduced there were plenty of giggles to be had. Once the main story gets rolling, the jokes don't let up until the end credits roll. The humor is pretty juvenile, consisting mainly of fart and sex jokes. It also takes some serious jabs at religion, and doesn't back down. Those who are religious or offended by such humor might want to avoid this film all together.  While this may bother some, I thought the low brow stuff was particularly well done. There are constant references to nerd and sci-fi culture throughout. Some are perfectly subtle and fit into the dialogue well, others feel a bit forced and awkward. 

The characters and the actors who fill their shoes are superb. Pegg and Frost are at their usual best. I was a bit weary about Seth Rogan playing the alien, but he turned out perfect for the role. Jason Bateman, Bill Hader and Joe Lo Trugilo make a funny team as the government agents trailing Paul. Sigourney Weaver has a small part as the boss of whatever government agency Paul escaped from. And Kristen Wiig plays a devout woman "accidentally" kidnapped by our three main characters.

Bottom Line: 8/10: While not as good as previous Pegg/Frost collaborations, theres still plenty of funny here. The humor is a bit low brow and may be offensive to some. Combined with an interesting story, some exciting action scenes, and great acting; this isn't one to miss.

  

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Shaun of the Dead

Directed by: Edgar Wright

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield

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Shortly after this was released on DVD, all I heard was friends talking about how funny it was. I tried to sit down and watch it for almost two months. Finally, I got a chance to give it a go. I don't want to say I was disappointed initially. I just didn't get what I had expected. I guess I had been expecting an outrageous Airplane! or Naked Gun style comedy. My friends and fellow film nerds urged me to give it another chance. "Its not an American comedy." I remember someone saying, referring the film's country of origin. I took the advice, and I'm glad I did. Shaun of the Dead is one of the most witty and brilliantly written comedies that has been released in the past ten years. 

Starting out, you wouldn't even know this movie contained zombies. (Well, if you ignored the title)  Shaun (Pegg) is a television salesman who hasn't done much with his life. He lives with his slacker roommate, Ed (Frost). Shaun has a girlfriend, but their relationship has become stagnant.  Its the same old thing every day. After failing at a chance to change his routine, and consequently being dumped,  Shaun sets out on a quest to get his girl back. The only thing is, the UK is now over run by the living dead. The film really lives up to its tagline. Shaun of the Dead isn't a zombie move; its a romantic comedy..with zombies. 

Quite a few zombies

The story can start out a bit slow for some in the beginning. There are plenty of interesting characters and funny situations right off, but it might be a bit of a let down if you went in expecting a modern day Romero film. One it hits the half hour mark, however, it'll really take off. The climax of the film is expertly done. It definitely is a throwback to the Romero zombie movie climax: The humans are not killed off by the living dead directly, but are doomed to die because they can't get over their petty disputes and differences. Plus, one of the best uses of a Queen song that I have ever seen. 

There are plenty of laugh out loud moments to be had here, like every good comedy should. But beyond raw laughs is sheer razor sharp wit. You can be watching this movie for your tenth time, and still pick up on subtle little jokes you've missed before. The film constantly makes nods at itself without breaking the fourth wall, which is an amazing feat in itself. For example, Shaun has a red pen leak in his shirt pocket near the beginning of the film. Almost every character from then on points out that "you've got red on you", even as his shirt is covered in copious abouts of blood and gore as the movie goes on.

You've got red on you.

Bottom line: 9/10: A real treat for any fan of comedies and/or zombie films. Any fans of British humor (or humour) shouldn't pass this one over either. Wonderfully written and scarce of any dull moments, this isn't one to miss.

   

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ramon Rodriguez, Cory Hardrict

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Don't go into this one expecting a good plot, stellar dialogue, or standout performances. Luckily, I didn't go in expecting any of that. I got just what I had expected from seeing the trailers: Lots of shouting, bullets and explosions. Lots of explosions. 

Battle: Los Angeles follows a very simple story that we've seen countless times before. Aliens are invading, and its up to a clichéd squad of tough marines to bring down the extraterrestrial baddies. There's not much more to it than that. The explanation for the invasion was almost easy to miss in the quick pace of the film (something to do with water); but that's not what you're here for. Some effort is given to introducing us to the characters and make us care about them. It didn't really work, the characters are pretty bland, and their backstories were just as uninteresting. I couldn't remember any of their names by the film's half way point. It was difficult to feel emotional when marine #3 got shot a bunch of times, or when marines #2, #5, and #7 got blown up in a helecopter. 

Speaking of marines, this movie almost seems like an ad for the US Marine Corps at some points. Except its two hours long and with aliens. It didn't bother me too much, but anyone who has spent 5 minutes in  the actual military would cringe at some of the interactions and portrayal of the marines in general. Its not a bad portrayal, its just.....off.

The acting is surprisingly good at some points. At others, its barley passable. Aaron Eckhart does an amazing job Staff Segregant Nantz, even if there isn't much to his character. The rest of the actors do an OK job, however, none of them give memorable performances. Noel Fisher is good as the squad's inexperienced newbie. Bryce Cass, who plays a youngster that is rescued by the marines, is very impressive given his age. Michelle Rodriguez steps far outside of her comfort zone playing the tougher-than-usual female soldier, this time an air force sergeant.

Michelle Rodriguez in Battle: Los Ang-... wait......

Here we go- Nope, hold on....

Damn it.....

Ok, I think I got it

Lets get down to what Battle: Los Angeles is all about. Action. The only thing it does very well, almost making up for other shortcomings. Once it starts about a half hour into the film, it literally doesn't end until the credits roll. Its fast paced, loud, and brutal. Mixed in with all of the carnage is copious amounts of CGI. It didn't bug me much, the effects held up very well. It did give the film almost a video game type feel, which fits considering the probable target audience.

Michael Bay would be proud. 

 My only gripe is that the camera was extremely jumpy and shaky. I can forgive this in the action scenes, but the cameraman appears to be trembling in quite a few of the slower scenes. Its incredibly distracting to have the camera jumping about when you're trying to watch two guys talking in an office. 

Bottom Line: 6/10: Its nothing substantial, with sub par story and characters. Everything else Battle: Los Angeles does awesomely, earning it back a few points. The perfect mindless all American popcorn action flick. 

Toy Story 3

Directed by: Lee Unkrich

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty

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When I was younger, I always loved the first two Toy Story films. I owned both of them on VHS when I was eight years old or so. Now, I have a different type of respect for them, and they remain among my favorites. Toy Story 3 gives a very satisfying and heartwarming end to the series. 

The plot of Toy Story 3 is certainly hits much heavier than the previous two films. If you felt yourself getting teary eyed during the first 10 minutes of Up (2009), then thats bound to happen for you at some point in this film. There are some scenes, in particular one involving a trash incinerator at a dump, that may even be a bit too intense for very young viewers. Andy is all grown up, and doesn't play with toys anymore. He is in the process of moving out for college. Woody, Buzz, and the gang find themselves mistakenly being donated to a day care center. The toys think they have finally have a home again, but things at the daycare are not as they seem. 

Its really amazing how much Pixar has advanced technically in the past 10 years since Toy Story 2. The visuals in TS3 are simply stunning. All of the textures look almost photo real. The level of detail in the characters is amazing. There is an amazing sense of scale in the opening scene, as well as some great looking action. It's eye pleasing on an HD screen, but I wish I had seen it in theaters for the 3D version. I expect a 3D Blu-Ray release at some point, and might consider picking it up just to see how Pixar handles 3D.

A still picture doesn't do it justice, the amount of detail put into this guy is amazing. 

For the cast, all of the regulars return to reprise their roles. Tom Hanks and Woody Allen are at their usual best. Micheal Keaton lends his voice to a Ken doll who insists that he's "Not a girl's toy", providing a few of the film's best laughs. Ned Beatty voices Lotso, the stuffed bear in charge of running the day care center our main characters find themselves trapped in.

Final Score: 9/10: Pixar again nails the concept of a true "family film". It has a little for everyone, providing plenty of G rated entertainment for the little ones, while at the same time giving the adults plenty of laughs and an emotionally deep story line to follow. As a 19 year old male who enjoys movies full of shooting, explosions, fast cars and scantily clad women; I have no shame in saying that I love Toy Story.