Directed by Greg Mottola
A lot of people think that Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) are gay, but they’re just a couple of British buddies who don’t get out much unless it’s to a comic convention. After one such geeky convention in America, they hire a recreational vehicle and go on a road trip to visit the UFO hot spots in middle America. A deceptively appealing green, ET-like creature by the name of Paul (voiced by Seth Rogan) hitches a ride as he is trying to escape from government researchers. He has phoned home and organised a rendezvous to return to his galaxy but he needs a lift. Along the way they gather another passenger, the previously devout Ruth (Kristen Wiig) who discovers she will not be struck down for using foul language.
Director Greg Mottola was born in 1964 and would have been eighteen in 1982 when the original ET hit the cinema screens. I would suggest that Mottola has been on a steady diet of science fiction films ever since because he manages to create one huge science-fiction send-up using the ET look-alike as his anchor. The dope-smoking alien and the continually swearing ex-Christian join the heroes from Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead on a hilarious road trip that is chock-full of spoofs and vintage tee-shirts.
No science fiction films were harmed in the making of this film, and many veterans of the film industry have joined in the fun. Listen out for Spielberg on the other end of the phone, consulting with Paul about film ideas. When Sigourney Weaver turns up as one of the characters, you know the famous line from Alien is not far behind. Spot the cameos as you barrack for the laid-back alien to escape from the researchers who want to remove his brain.
Lezly Herbert
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