Review of Paddington (2014) by Tremor2005 — 20 Jan 2015

Short version: Funny, surprisingly insightful but slightly overstretched.

Long version:

What struck me most while leaving the cinema was the audience range. The kids in the audience who'd gone for a bathroom-filling bear had clearly hadShort version: Funny, surprisingly insightful but slightly overstretched.

Long version:

What struck me most while leaving the cinema was the audience range. The kids in the audience who'd gone for a bathroom-filling bear had clearly had an absolute blast, the elderly members who'd gone for nostalgia purposes were left with big smiles on their faces, and those in between were chattering away about their favourite bit.

It's a really nice film with much slapstick humour (as seen in the trailer) but has the heart one would expect from a producer of the Harry Potter movies. There were moments when tears were shed (particularly on a windswept rooftop) and eruptions of laughter with Paddington's escapades and Julie Walters particularly stealing their scenes.

There are a handful of moments that don't quite fit: Nicole Kidman's villain is a bit one note (although she's clearly having a ball playing the part) and Peter Capaldi (side note: fantastic Twelfth Doctor in Doctor Who) as a slimy neighbour doesn't fit seamlessly into the plot, but otherwise it's a joyous film and well worth seeing.