Written by: Kevin Berge
Come on. Just Paddington 2?! You couldn't call it Paddington Goes on an Adventure or Paddington's New Home? Anything more than just adding a 2. (Image Courtesy of: paddington.com)
Quick Take: Paddington 2 takes the joyful energy of its predecessor and adds a more consistently polished product with some incredible work from the star-studded cast. With a kid-friendly focus on friendship and community, it is utterly delightful and a universal film for all ages.
***This review will not be focused on the events of the movie as much as the overall themes and ideas of the story. It will not contain spoilers beyond the basic set-up in the first 30 minutes. However, if you are looking to go into Paddington 2 blind, you should avoid this review until you see the film.***
Adorable: it is the word that best describes every second of Paddington 2's 104 minute run-time. The original Paddington could claim the same label, but it was a film that gets out of hand in the climax. The sequel feels far more polished and confident in its running mood.
Everyone in this movie is on the same wavelength. Director and writer Paul King has an all-star cast including Hugh Grant (Notting Hill), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Brendan Gleeson (The Guard), and Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge!) all acting with wild entertaining abandon that amount to some of the best performances of their careers.
In this second adventure of the likable bear, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is framed for the theft of a pop-up book by the down-on-his-luck famous actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant). His family must clear Paddington's name while the bear adjusts to life in prison.
At its core, this is a fairly simple children's story about friendship and community. Everyone comes together, rallied by the joy and politeness of Paddington. He convinces his old community and family to stand by him when the law fights against him.
He convinces others he meets to join forces and use their abilities for good. He creates simple joy and lasting friendships through the heavy use of sweets. His effect is so noticeable and omnipresent that even those who are acting of their own self-interest come to remember what Paddington taught them.
There's so much good honest positivity here that it is hard to imagine anyone not liking this movie. It is targeted at a younger audience, so it does not take its threats and villains all that seriously. Even that has a point though because the threats themselves are driven by silly vain desires rather than honest goals.
Adorable: it is the word that best describes every second of Paddington 2's 104 minute run-time. The original Paddington could claim the same label, but it was a film that gets out of hand in the climax. The sequel feels far more polished and confident in its running mood.
Everyone in this movie is on the same wavelength. Director and writer Paul King has an all-star cast including Hugh Grant (Notting Hill), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Brendan Gleeson (The Guard), and Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge!) all acting with wild entertaining abandon that amount to some of the best performances of their careers.
In this second adventure of the likable bear, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is framed for the theft of a pop-up book by the down-on-his-luck famous actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant). His family must clear Paddington's name while the bear adjusts to life in prison.
At its core, this is a fairly simple children's story about friendship and community. Everyone comes together, rallied by the joy and politeness of Paddington. He convinces his old community and family to stand by him when the law fights against him.
He convinces others he meets to join forces and use their abilities for good. He creates simple joy and lasting friendships through the heavy use of sweets. His effect is so noticeable and omnipresent that even those who are acting of their own self-interest come to remember what Paddington taught them.
There's so much good honest positivity here that it is hard to imagine anyone not liking this movie. It is targeted at a younger audience, so it does not take its threats and villains all that seriously. Even that has a point though because the threats themselves are driven by silly vain desires rather than honest goals.
How could you put this poor bear in jail? You writers are monsters. (Image Courtesy of: taz.de)
Few movies are this genuinely well made. The coloring of scenes is directional to focus on certain tones. The world is so fantastical that it can feel magical, but the effects behind the fantasy blend seemlessly into the real world and the wonderfully simple costumes.
The story beats flow with such a steady rhythm that you hardly notice the transitions. Most of the film is ridiculous and zany, but it is natural when the story reaches its climax and the genuine moments of emotion hit.
One aspect this film has that its predecessor did not was truly memorable scenes. From the early physical gags to basically the entire prison plot to the climax and even the credits sequence, I will have a much harder time forgetting any part of this little adventure.
While general praise is earned by all the actors, it's important to give special attention to the work of Hugh Grant in this film. His smarmy villain is so wonderful that it feels like he was born for the role. The legendary actor puts on a scene-stealing performance that never distracts but always drives attention.
Forget the Disney domination for children's attention span. Paddington 2 is the film all young kids should be required to see. It is accessible and simple but also valuable in how it conveys its messages of friendship, personal worth, and self-appreciation.
I expect there will be multiple movies over the coming year of 2018 that are more attuned to my style, but I don't know that there will be a film for years to come that puts a goofy smile on my face quite like Paddington 2.
The story beats flow with such a steady rhythm that you hardly notice the transitions. Most of the film is ridiculous and zany, but it is natural when the story reaches its climax and the genuine moments of emotion hit.
One aspect this film has that its predecessor did not was truly memorable scenes. From the early physical gags to basically the entire prison plot to the climax and even the credits sequence, I will have a much harder time forgetting any part of this little adventure.
While general praise is earned by all the actors, it's important to give special attention to the work of Hugh Grant in this film. His smarmy villain is so wonderful that it feels like he was born for the role. The legendary actor puts on a scene-stealing performance that never distracts but always drives attention.
Forget the Disney domination for children's attention span. Paddington 2 is the film all young kids should be required to see. It is accessible and simple but also valuable in how it conveys its messages of friendship, personal worth, and self-appreciation.
I expect there will be multiple movies over the coming year of 2018 that are more attuned to my style, but I don't know that there will be a film for years to come that puts a goofy smile on my face quite like Paddington 2.