must

good

nice movie

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Was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, to be honest, after seeing the trailer which gave off the vibe that it was going to be another live-action/CGI outing with a weak script, a predictable story, cheap gags and characters we don't care about. After seeing the film, Paddington had none of those things and the trailer really did not do it justice, it may not entirely have the essence of the stories and TV series but it modernises the setting etc. very cleverly and stands very well on its own terms. Paddington looks great, with lots of vibrant colour in the sets(the forest in the prologue is beautiful as well) and with photography that's not haphazard or sloppy. Paddington himself is brilliantly animated and the complete opposite of cheap. The music has its playful-in the humour/slap-stick- and soothing)in the emotional parts) moments, while the script is a sheer delight with deliciously witty dialogue that children and adults alike will understand and enjoy. The story is also a winner, the comedy scenes are just hilarious and very well-timed, something that will absolutely delight children, and the adult jokes are equally sly with inspired references(in a visual way) to the likes of Wes Anderson. Paddington also has a lot of heart and warmth, there are some emotional moments and they were very touchingly done without being cloying, and there is even a bit of suspense thrown in without being too dark or out of place. In Paddington, I found myself really engaging with the characters even Mr Brown. The strongest being Paddington who is incredibly endearing, it's almost impossible not to love him. Ben Wishaw also voices him absolutely beautifully, bringing a calm, youthful quality to it. Hugh Bonneville is appropriately uptight and stern while also bringing humour and warmth to Mr Brown. Sally Hawkins is compassionate, the children are good and Nicole Kidman is both amusing and menacing(wasn't crazy about the wig though. Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters play their roles expertly, Walters especially is a hoot as Mrs Bird, while Imelda Staunton and Michael Gambon while limited in appearance bring heart to their roles. My only complaint that Mr Curry should have had more screen time and the film could have stayed truer to the character in the stories and series. Peter Capaldi does a good job, but the character and his acrimonious relationship with Paddington was one of the best things of the series and Mr Curry instead seemed more of a plot device, with the relationship between them barely explored. To conclude, a delightful family film with something for everyone. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Author Michael Bond was inspired to write the Paddington stories when he saw kids leaving being evacuated during World War 2 and this film has a subtext of the immigrant experience. Aided with a touch of Wes Anderson stylishness, this is a sweet family film but lacks the warmth of the BBC television series from the 1970s that were narrated by Sir Michael Hordern. Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is a young bear from darkest Peru who speaks English and loves marmalade sandwiches thanks to a British geographer who met his family years earlier. When their home in Peru is destroyed, Paddington's aunt (Imelda Staunton) sends him to London with a note and a suitcase hoping to meet the explorer who came into contact his aunt and uncle so many years ago. Alone and lost at Paddington Station he is taken in by the kind hearted Mrs Brown (Sally Hawkins) although her husband (Hugh Bonneville) is reluctant but the children warm to him and they name the bear Paddington. Hot on the heels is an evil taxidermist Millicent (Nicole Kidman) who intends to capture and stuff the bear and display him at a museum. As Paddington goes about accidentally causing mayhem, locals do not react to the talking bear, he is viewed as another foreigner. The film becomes a caper movie as he tries to avoid being captured by Millicent and the film pastiches movies such as Mission Impossible. The film is nice enough, kids will enjoy it, a few nice touches but despite some visual flourishes it was passable rather than outstanding. It needed some kind of Nick Park and Aardman Animation type of inspiration.

Real-life link: Just for the record, I have never experienced that kind of snow in London and I have lived here for a very long time. So that is way beyond reality (tho I wish it will someday snow like that). However, one very true fact about London is that indeed everyone is different and because of that everyone can fit in and feel like home. The magic of London I guess. What the movie emphasised on was dealing with accepting that you are different and feeling comfortable with it. Sad however, to see that Paddington was only able to do that when the Browns did suggesting that the only way to be comfortable with who you are, is of those around you are. It is in many cases true but it shouldn't be and movie developed around this suggestion are indeed not helping to change that. The movie is very hear-warming. Warm family atmosphere and a lot of scenes that made me laugh out loud (literally). Acting is great as well, with Hugh Bonneville being amazing as always. And the editing is also not a usual one which makes the movie great. London is also nicely portrayed and it was a pleasure to see some very familiar places in the movie. To conclude, I would definitely recommend this to everyone (yes, including adults).