Review of Paddington (2014) by Brett H — 05 Jul 2015

Paddington is the long-awaited big-screen adaptation of the beloved British book series about a humanoid bear who has an infatuation with marmalade and is one of the best family films I've seen in quite some time that isn't animated! Wow, this was a feel-good movie with tons of heart, a stellar cast, and an endearing quality I couldn't help not smiling at.

Ben Whishaw famously replaced Colin Firth as the voice of Paddington once they realized it didn't fit, and Whishaw's soft tone and innocent delivery made me believe 100% that Paddington was a real character.

The supporting cast is rounded out by Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville (who is one of the best parts of it) and even Nicole Kidman who plays the villain as a type of uber-Cruella de Vil that just works! I had a smile on my face throughout with the many great visual gags, subtle British wit, and a truly hilarious scene where Hugh Bonneville has to dress up as a maid that killed me! Paddington is a total surprise to me and after it's release date was pushed to an unsavory month and the trailers not doing it any justice, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's the perfect family film!