New Release: Paul DVD and Blu-ray

PaulSeth Rogen (The Green Hornet) voicing an alien who’s picked up on a road trip by UFO geeks Simon Pegg (Star Trek) and Nick Frost (Pirate Radio)? We’re there! The comedy Paul arrived on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on Aug. 9, 2011, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Written by Pegg and Frost, the creators of the hilarious Shaun of the Dead, Paul grossed $37.4 million in theaters, less than similar science-fiction laughers (1999’s Galaxy Quest grossed $71.4 million), but we’re guessing the movie will get a bigger audience on disc. R-rated Paul did score nicely with critics and those who did see it in theaters. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Paul got a 72% approval rating from critics and 75% from audiences.

As well as Pegg, Frost and Rogen’s voice, Paul features a host of other comic actors, including Jason Bateman (The Switch), Kristen Wiig (Date Night), Jane Lynch (TV’s Glee), Bill Hader (Pineapple Express), Blythe Danner (Little Fockers) and Galaxy Quest‘s own Sigourney Weaver. And the movie is directed by Superbad helmer Greg Mottola.

Both the DVD and Blu-ray (a Blu-ray/DVD combo) include the theatrical version of the movie as well as a new unrated version. For a limited time, the Blu-ray also has a downloadable digital copy of the unrated version.

Paul Blu-ray boxSpecial features are plentiful on both disc versions. The Blu-ray and DVD offers:

  • bloopers
  • featurette “The Evolution of Paul”
  • “Simon’s Silly Faces”
  • “Who the Hell is Adam Shadowchild?” about the legendary sci-fi writers told by the characters in Paul
  • commentary with director Greg Mottola, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Hader and producer Nira Park
  • photo galleries, storyboards and posters.

The Blu-ray adds these exclusive extras:

  • “Between the Lightning Strikes: The Making of Paul
  • behind-the-scenes featurettes:
    • “RV Doorway: The Cast of Paul On Location”
    • “Runway Sante Fe: An Interview With Nency Steiner,” as the costume designer chooses T-shirts for the cast
    • “Smithereens” about the blowing up of a house on location
    • “5th Date Level Direction: The Cast on Greg Mottola”
    • “Mexico Zero: The Locations of Paul,” about how New Mexico, where the majority of the film was shot, was given the nickname Mexico Zero
    • “The Many Pauls,” about how the alien was created
    • “Paul: The Musical” with the cast performing an impromptu musical version of the movie
    • “The Traveler Beagle,” about the RVs used on the set
  • BD-Live access
  • Pocket Blu app that allows the Blu-ray player to be used with a smartphone or computer.

In the U.K., Paul was released in a cool steelbook version, but Universal told Disc Dish that it isn’t planned for the U.S.

Check out the movie’s trailer:

 

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About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.