Paddington 2 (2018)

Paddington 2 (2018)

Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen. PADDINGTON 2 finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief... Helmed by twice BAFTA nominated director Paul King, PADDINGTON 2 is co-produced by multi award-winning David Heyman / Heyday Films (producer of all eight of the HARRY POTTER films, GRAVITY, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM) and StudioCanal, who will also distribute in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. PADDINGTON is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children's stories by British author Michael Bond, which have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, been translated into over 40 languages and captured the imagination of children and adults around the globe.

Rating: PG (for some action and mild rude humor)

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Kids & Family

Directed By: Paul King (VII)

Written By: Paul King (VII) , Simon Farnaby

In Theaters: Jan 12, 2018 Wide

On Disc/Streaming: Apr 24, 2018

Runtime: 105 minutes

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Paddington films preach a message of acceptance that's no less straightforward than that of The Shape of Water, encouraging viewers to share in the hero's tolerant worldview. A dash of Wes Anderson and a sprinkle of Jean-Pierre Jeunet, swirled around with a wonderfully fluid sense of airiness and light. It's mannered, yet carefree, colorful, and evocative. A movie that promotes the importance of family and good manners might seem like it could become the squarest of snoozes, but Paddington 2 is so transcendentally cheerful that it carries the day - and then some. All in all, "Paddington 2" has a warmth and wit that's missing from many a children's movie. Don't let your January go by without it. [Paddington 2] has one out-loud laugh, plenty of sincere cleverness, vast technical ingenuity, a warm heart, lively performances and enough gyroscopic camera moves to make Max Ophüls jealous. This is one sequel it's a pleasure to review. How can you possibly match or even top that splendid soiree for the Peruvian bear? You'd think it would be an impossible task, but marvellously King has somehow shocked us once more. Is anything as improbable as a "feel-good" movie that actually leaves us feeling terrific? How about two of them in the same series? Well worth a marmalade sandwich. Paddington 2 is not only an intelligent, fun and funny film, but now, in the times of Brexit, it has become counterculture. It can be easy to forget there is good in the world and sometimes it comes in the form of a furry brown bear in a hat Paddington 2 is a film full of life that picks up where the first left off and adds a more charismatic villain (sorry, Nicole Kidman)

I'm a sucker when it comes to feel-good movies, so please take this review with a grain of salt if those types of films are cheesy to you. When the first Paddington hit theatres a few years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the filmmakers crafted a wonderful family flick for all ages. Yes, the premise is aimed at kids to give them life lessons, but the family aspect is what everyone else could relate to. Paddington 2 has recently hit the big screen and I can confidently say that if you enjoyed watching the first film, then you will equally like this sequel. It's a simple story about friends and family, but it's done in a very loving way that's almost too charming to ignore when you start watching it. Here's why you'll watching Paddington 2 with a smile on your face throughout the entire film if this is your cup of tea. Paddington 2 follows this lovable bear as he has now settled into this town with the Brown family. The public has now accepted this talking bear as one of their own, and he's doing his utmost to get a job and become a true citizen. When trying to stop a jewel thief, he becomes wrapped up in an accusation that eventually has him thrown in prison. Wanting to put an end to this thief and make thing right in terms of showing everyone the truth, Paddington 2 is a showcase of a wrongfully accused being, which is quite relevant for today's climate. The fact that such a large aspect of this film revolves around someone being wrongfully accused is astounding to me, especially when it's a film for kids, first and foremost. Although there's nothing award-worthy about the screenplays for these films, that's not to say they aren't well-written in their own right. For a kids movie, Paddington 2 delivers many surprises in terms of emotion and I found myself in tears in the final few moments. Not only is this movie emotional, but it also delivers quite the exciting final act that almost feels like a chase sequence from a big action film, just on a lower scale. With that said, emotions and excitement aren't the only things putting this movie on the pedestal it deserves, because the characterization of every secondary character shines off the screen as well. Whether this little bear finds himself interacting with inmates at the prison he's being held at or simply conversing with his family when they come to visit, there's just something about the dialogue between characters that feels very authentic. The head chef's relationship with the titular character was easily my favourite portion of this film because he comes off as someone who would kill someone if he was in an R-rated movie, but when placed side-by-side with a younger person, his actions may be slightly different. I loved this aspect of the movie. In the end, everything about the story in Paddington 2 is borrowed from crime films and family films alike. There isn't much else going on here, so your characters and overall execution of the story need to be absolutely perfect in order to impress, and does it ever. There will be far better movies to hit theatres this year, but if you're looking for a movie to make you feel good inside, I honestly can't recommend Paddington 2 enough.

There's something about these two films and the way that director Paul King assembles them that just feels necessary to watch. It's a shame these movies don't receive much attention because they truly are great family flicks. I can't imagine a film this year bringing so much more genuine joy and happiness to the screen. Better yet, I'm not sure I can even imagine a film that more deftly balances adventure, comedy, and touching drama. Paddington 2 is as close to a flawless film as I can remember over the last few years. Sure, I'm never going to compare it to say a film like The Dark Knight or The Lion King (two perfect films in my opinion), Paddington 2 succeeds the same way those films did, by knowing their audience and making a film that benefits the entire crowd. Sure, Paddington 2 may have been made for children, but it can be enjoyed by people (and bears) of all ages. Now comfortable in his human home, Paddington now set his hopes on buying his Aunt Lucy the best birthday present. To do that, he must make some money and pick up a series of jobs to raise the $. Window Washing and barbery are among the jobs he takes on, and as you can imagine, these make for some hilarious physical gags from Paddington. Something the first film was no stranger to either. However, the book he worked so hard to get was stolen and Paddington was in turn framed for stealing in.

And so begins his stint in prison. A bear in prison with a bunch of criminals? Yes, that's also a perfect opportunity to create some fantastic slapstick humor. Even with all the humor, the film never loses sight of its heart. As Paddington spends his nights in a cell, his human family works their hardest to get him out with the help of the neighborhood that has learned to love him. Sweet, charming, innocent without becoming childish, Paddington 2 is a heartwarming delight. I seriously can't imagine a film being better in 2018. Adorable, clever, and beautiful to watch are things I would say about Paddington. These traits do not only exist in it's sequel, in many ways they are surpassed. Paddington 2 picks up where the first left off spreading a message of friendship and family bonds throughout but P2 blows past the first installment with a fairly exciting adventure plot that the first film din't quite hit as hard. Hugh Grant was likely born to play this role as he steals almost every scene in which he appears making a great foil for our protagonists. He by far had the stand out performance. Paddington 2 is full of heart and joy. It's has a few laughs, the kids will enjoy it, and it is packed with a lot of great supporting performances. In a genre where far too many kids sequels fall flat, Paddington 2 stands out among the crowd.

I really loved the movie because its simple and sweet to watch. I would rate the movie a 4.5/5.