If you've seen it, Paulie has got a great TV commercial which promises what seems to be a laugh a minute spectacular, which is what this flick would be if it lasted a mere ninety seconds instead of ninety minutes. For the parents who will have to explain concepts like the passage of time to their littlest kidlets, Paulie will be a soporific experience. The gags on TV are the sum total of the gags in the movie, and they're paced better, too. What you see in the ad is an insult spewing parrot. What you get in the long run is 90 minutes of wasted time.
Problem is, there is little wonder or fun or thrills in the movie.
Sure, it yanks the inevitable, sentimental chain when Paulie finally finds Marie, but only the littlest of kids will care. On average, a first run movie ticket will run you Eight Bucks. Were Cranky able to set his own price to Paulie , he would have paid . . . Paulie has got the good gags spaced out enough that you'll not nod off, but it ain't much for us grownups.