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It appears there is some pent-up demand on the part of audiences for another collaboration between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, the duo known best for the Cornetto Trilogy (which they made alongside director Edgar Wright). That trilogy includes “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” and “The World’s End.” But before they finished their cinematic trinity in 2013, Pegg and Frost got together with director Greg Mottola (“Superbad”) for a largely overlooked sci-fi comedy in the form of “Paul” — a movie that has been finding new life on Netflix of late.
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Indeed, FlixPatrol reports that 2011’s “Paul” is currently occupying the number four spot on Netflix’s most-watched movie charts, sitting just above “Twilight” and below only “The Equalizer 2,” “Havoc,” and “Exterritorial.” Director Gareth Evans’ “Havoc,” it’s worth noting, enjoyed a healthy run atop the streamer’s charts, having only recently fallen to the number two spot. In any event, Mottola’s nearly 15-year-old comedy is hanging tough with some flashy new Netflix originals. Evidently, people just love to see Pegg and Frost on screen together.
For those who may need a refresher, “Paul” centers on Graeme (Pegg) and Clive (Frost), two British sci-fi nerds who have made a pilgrimage to the U.S. to nerd out with one another on a road trip in an RV. Along the way, the pair unexpectedly come across Paul (Seth Rogen), a wisecracking alien who only just escaped from the top-secret military base where he’s been held for decades. With federal agents on their tail, it’s up to these two friends to help Paul get back to his home world.
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Paul lived in the shadow of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz
In its day, “Paul” was met with reasonably good reviews from critics, but the buzz couldn’t quite match the levels of perceived perfection achieved by something like “Shaun of the Dead,” for example. Be that as it may, this movie was a much bigger Hollywood production, complete with a San Diego Comic-Con panel and an all-star cast that included Rogen, Kristin Wiig, Bill Hader, Jason Bateman, and Sigourney Weaver (along with a little cameo from none other than legendary director Steven Spielberg).
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What’s interesting, in retrospect, is that “Paul” is not exactly viewed as a big success. In actuality, however, it made more money than “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” and “World’s End” did during their theatrical runs. In fact, “Paul” grossed $98 million worldwide, while “Shaun” made $30 million, “Hot Fuzz” made $80 million, and “World’s End” made $47 million. Yet, it often feels like those three movies had more cultural staying power.
People have very strong opinions about the Cornetto trilogy, with fans often debating which of the three is best. I would personally argue in favor of “Hot Fuzz,” but that is neither here nor there. The larger point is that no, this mid-budget alien comedy from Universal Pictures didn’t have Edgar Wright behind the camera, and it wasn’t universally praised in its day. Nevertheless, here we are, 14 years later, and the film garnering more viewership than almost anything else on Netflix. There’s something to be said for that.
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You can also grab “Paul” on Blu-ray or DVD from Amazon. Solana Token Creator
