Review of Paddington (2014) by Manny C — 25 Feb 2015

Even I wasn't expecting for a big screen version of Paddington to be, well, good. Paddington is a family movie, but it's also for everyone, which means neither kids or the adults will hate on it. Taken from a series of book begun in 1958 by author Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum, the movie likewise tells the story of a Peruvian bear, clad in duffel coat and floppy red hat, adopted by a family from London. It's pure pleasure that the big-screen Paddington is so irresistibly charming and springs sweet surprises.

Credit that to writer-director Paul king and Harry Potter producer David Heyman who bring to the screen this sweet fable that is thankfully light on the special effects overkill and sentimental goop. Paddingtona himself, voiced wonderfully by Ben Whishaw, is first seen living it up in the rainforest. Then, bam, earthquake hits and Paddington is suddenly on a cargo ship to London where he arrives at Paddington Station and is quickly adopted, temporarily, by the Brown family; dad Henry (Hugh Bonneville of tv's Downton Abbey), sweet wife Mary (the always lovely Sally Hawkins) and their two scrappy children Judy and Jonathan. It's not long before Paddington is speaking in British tones.

Enter Nicole Kidman, channeling her inner Cruella De Vil as Millicent Clyde, a taxidermist who's looking to add Paddington to her stuffed collection. All of that serves as impetus for chase scenes and physical comedy that are almost Wes Anderson-like in their tone. The human actors interact convincingly with the computer-generated bear. There are even subtle references to subject like immigration. And even though Paddington does fly over London, he has no super powers, just innocent charms. It's drolly dazzling. 'Please Look After This Bear' read the words on a tag around Paddington's neck. Good advice.