A sci-fi semi-success

“Paul” is the first movie from comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost that doesn’t include director and co-writer Edgar Wright. The trio created “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz,” which were great zombie and action movie buddy comedies respectively. Knowing that, it’s disappointing that “Paul” is so uneven.

“Paul” follows two sci-fi nerds, Grame (Pegg) and Clive (Frost), as they go on a road trip to visit all the famous alien attractions in the southwest United States. Early on, they run into Paul the alien, voiced by Seth Rogen, and three government agents pursue them throughout the movie.

The first half of the movie is a rather bland and boring road trip movie, hinging on the characters pissing off a number of individuals and the chase sequences that ensue. Laughs are few and not especially good. It’s an awkward first 45 minutes as jokes come and go but no laughs are had. It is strange, then, that it isn’t an alien that makes the movie bearable but the introduction of Kristen Wiig’s character.

Wiig plays the daughter of a Bible-thumping trailer park owner. Her interactions with Paul after being raised a strict Christian are great. Wiig brings a playful cluelessness to the role, and she shines in every scene, the main highlight being her attempts at swearing.

With the introduction of Wiig, everything in the movie gets better. The chemistry between characters really pops out, the movie’s pace picks up exponentially and the laughs become actually funny and memorable. The numerous references to other elements of nerd culture elicit the most laughs.

Jason Bateman, Joe Lo Truglio and Bill Hader are all serviceable as the government agents chasing after Paul. Their scenes try to be funny but mostly fall flat.

Seth Rogen’s voice acting is great and the CGI for his character is good as well, but there is a frustrating disconnect between the two. Rogen’s deep and loud voice never really looks right coming out of the skinny little alien.

It is a shame the first half of the movie is so bad. If it weren’t for that, “Paul” would have been one of the better comedies in recent years. As it stands, “Paul” is a disappointing first outing for Pegg and Frost as writing partners.