This weeks double feature is two very different movies released around the same time. One is a sci-fi comedy with one of the best British comedy partners, and the other is a sci-fi drama with an actor proving he can be a leading man. These of course are...
Let's Begin...
PAUL
PLOT
Graeme and Clive are two British nerds who come to America for the first time for, what else, but the San Diego Comic-Con and for a road trip to America's most famous alien spots like Area 51. One night on the road, Graeme and Clive see a deadly car crash. When they go to see if anyone needs help, they find an Alien named Paul. He ask for their help in getting him back home. They agree and take him on the road with them. But they are being chased by secretly secretive government secret agents.One is a badass, and too who are... basically Larry and Curley.
PROS
The CG for Paul is great, Especially considering its budget. While it's not Avatar level, it's done very well and all of the interactions with Paul and the actors are very well done.
Speaking of actors, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are great as always. They have great chemistry together and seem like long time friends. While I know that they are friends in real life, I don't how long.
Seth Rogen also does a great job as Paul. While he is playing Seth Rogen, he's playing Seth Rogen as an alien, big difference there. Everyone else holds their own too. Jason Batemen as the (I can't believe I'm saying this) Badass agent is great, along with Kristin Wiig as the die hard christian who questions her religion after finding out the existence of Paul is funny.
The references in this movie are very funny if a bit random, more on that later! There is even a reference to Mac and Me!!!!! (look it up kids).
CONS
Edgar Wright isn't there. What I mean is that this is the first time Pegg and Frost are working on a nerdy script without Wright and it shows. Many of the references and even some of the jokes seem out of place. Wright is the master of comedy right now and he could have made this movie even better.
CONCLUSION
While Edgar Wright could have made this movie a Run To, what we get is still funny an great. I recommend it.
RATING
WALK TO
NOW, TO OUR FEATURE REVIEW...
LIMITLESS!!!
PLOT
Our story begins with Eddie Morra at the edge of the balcony of his Luxury apartment/ Fortress with men beating down his door and him about to jump. Well that is terrible way to end the movie, so we go back a couple of weeks where Eddie looks like a crazy homeless man. While he's not homeless, he is a writer with writers block. Not only that but his hot girlfriend breaks up with him too. Today is just not his day, but then he meets his ex-brother-in-law who invites Eddie out to lunch. While there, Eddie explains his troubles. So, his EBIL gives him a tiny, clear pill that supposedly will let him access 100% of his brain. At first, Eddie doesn't believe him, but after he takes it, he becomes addicted. Now with one tablet a day, he gets back with his girlfriend, gets involve with criminals, and the stock market (which is basically the same thing as with getting involved with criminals). At some point it has to all come crashing down, but is it all at the same time?
PROS
The visuals and soundtrack are just perfect for this movie. When ever Eddie is not on the drug, it's very grey, gloomy, and lifeless. But when he's on the drug, it's colorful, hyper, and full of life. One impressive seen is where he blacks in and out over an 18 hour period and you feel as confused and disoriented as Eddie does.
This was Bradley Cooper's "Hey Hollywood, LOOK AT ME, I CAN BE LEADING MAN, LOOK AT ME!!!!" movie and he does prove that. It feels like he really believed in this project, at least I hope so since he is one of the executive producers. He does great when having conversations with Robert Di Nero.
The story and script are tight and top notch. There are little to no holes in the plot and the dialogue is very fluid and delivered well.
The trailer makes it seem like Di Nero is some sort of all knowing villain when really he's just on of Eddie's associates. While it can be argued that he does become a villain at the end, I see it as a clever way to wrap up some loose ends.
The film takes it's audience seriously. It doesn't hold you hand explaining things over and over again every 10 mins. No, it believes your a smart person and wants to take you on an intelligent trip.
CONS
...Moving on...
CONCLUSION
This is the first movie I can't find any major cons with, all of the criticisms I have with it would be nit picking, and no one likes nit picking...NO ONE! If that's not enough reason to give this movie my highest rating, I don't know what is.
RATING
RUN TO!!!
P.S. Next Time I do a classic review, I'm going to start a new segment I like to call "From the Queue" tune in 2 weeks from now to find out what that means.
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