Movie Review: Paddington
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
When reviewing a movie intended for a younger audience, I try to put myself in the shoes of the film’s key demographic. With a movie like Paddington, I immediately found myself whisked away into the world of everyone’s favorite bear from deepest, darkest Peru. Watching the movie brought back my childhood memories of reading Michael Bond’s book series. I’m happy to report that the film captures the charm, whimsy, wit, and joy that ooze off the pages of the books.
Paddington opens up with a quick prologue explaining the discovery of Paddington’s Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo followed by how, and why, Paddington found his way inside London’s Paddington Station with a tag around his neck with a request to “please look after this bear” like a child evacuee from World War II. Once in London, Paddington finds himself taken in by the Brown family: a quirky family with a risk analyst as patriarch (Downton Abbey‘s Hugh Bonneville), a carefree children’s illustrator matriarch (Sally Hawkins), and their two children: Judy (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin). The Browns agree to take Paddington in until they can locate the explorer who initially found Paddington’s aunt and uncle and offered them refuge if they ever made it to London. While Mr. Brown intends for their arrangement to be temporary, no matter how much inadvertent trouble the marmalade-loving bear causes (of which there is plenty), the rest of the family begins to hope for a more permanent arrangement.
To make the situation a little more complicated, the director of the Natural History Museum (Nicole Kidman) finds out about the long-lost species of bear being in London and immediately wants Paddington in the museum where he belongs. The only trick is, she’s a taxidermist and wants him stuffed. To find out more about the bear and to realize her wicked desires, Kidman tricks the Brown’s nosy neighbor Mr. Curry (Doctor Who‘s Peter Capaldi) into helping her with her nefarious plans.
“Paddington.” © 2015 – StudioCanal.
The core of the movie revolves around Paddington’s relationship with the Browns and the effect the lovable bear has on everyone he meets (with the exception of the film’s villains). The film is filled with heart and is one that every single member of the family can enjoy. There were even times where I was laughing harder than my daughter. This is pure family entertainment. It doesn’t feel cheap or commercialized. You could feel the passion of everyone involved with the movie had for the material. It captures the charm of the Paddington Bear character and what makes the original books so great, while not compromising for the sake of simply cashing in on a popular and beloved license. Even the blend of CGI and live action was blended seamlessly enough where I was able to suspend disbelief that a talking bear was walking around and interacting with the inhabitants of London.
The only potential concern I would have as a parent would be explaining taxidermy to younger audiences. My daughter was a bit uncomfortable with some of the more wicked things Kidman’s character Millicent does in her attempts to capture Paddington. Thankfully, the more intense scenes were tempered with enough humor to keep her from being too scared of the villain. My minor gripe aside, I can confidently say that family movies of such quality don’t come around often enough. Paddington may just be the gold standard for a long time to come.
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